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many or few?

@PloughBoy -- what about the last remark? Apparently you have a question about it?
you said; " and are now in heaven -- rejoicing." are you sure, that people are in heaven now? Jesus said, He is the only one, who has ascended to Heaven. think about it before answering ok. And remember We are waiting for Him to come and get us and take us to that place He went "to make ready". for the "Few" a remnant according to grace, a peculiar group, who was not known but "Hidden in Christ" a mystery from the "foundations of the world. But Now reveal in Christ.:cool: We are not in a sense "the people of God" but we are "The Sons of GOD" and there is the "'people of GOD". But it does not appear what we shall be! But when WE see Him, WE are going to look just like HIm and WE shall reign with HIM! and share His inheritance.
 
Born again believers who have died since the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ are with Him -- where ever He is at. And since Jesus Christ ascended back up To heaven to the Father, that is where 'they' are. And I"d Assume they are rejoicing rather than being in torment.
 
Born again believers who have died since the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ are with Him -- where ever He is at. And since Jesus Christ ascended back up To heaven to the Father, that is where 'they' are. And I"d Assume they are rejoicing rather than being in torment.
Where is that recorded in the Bible? So they are sitting on the throne right next to Jesus while He is sitting right next to the Father, or Do you believe a Portion of Scripture that says: "absent from the body present with the Lord' means everybody is Running around in Heaven and Rejoicing before their "Judgment" and "The Marriage Ceremony" before they get their New Bodies and wedding garments and rewards. For there are different "Judgment Bars" Meaning there is a judgment seat for those in Christ! So they are jumping around like Adam and Eve right now in Heaven naked?

New American Standard Bible (John 3:13).
"No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.

(John 14:3).
New Living Translation
When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
English Standard Version
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

He will come and get us, when things are ready: US the "Body of Christ" He promise this what He will do for us, "We are the Hidden mystery"! "Many are called but Only a Few has been Chosen" This position "Elected" according to grace. There is a group of "Believers" that has never been promise "Sonship" by adoption. "One of the reason, why the JEWs called Jesus a Blasphemer claiming to be The Son of GOD" In other words how could anybody believe something like that, "Crucify" him! The Jewish people would not dare Call GOD, Father! Abraham was their father! GOD is GOD the creator. And they were "The People" of GOD and Not the Sons of GOD!

You know this stuff! Rapture= One of the reason for Pre-MIL. Many I say, Many do not understand "The People of God" and "The Sons of GOD" Which is revealed in "Christ" that was Hidden but there in The OT all the time but unveil in The NT. in Bright lights!

11“But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, 12and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?’ And the man was speechless. 13“Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’14“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

When many read the "Holy Scripture" they have mix Scripture up Like "Louisiana Gumbo"! And i do understand after years of listening to people talk and apply "Holy Scripture" The Scripture mix has settled in the mix. and you cannot take the Gumbo out of the Gumbo after it has been mix and settled.

Just like when a Truck driver rebuilds his 'Cat 3406E",engine. He tears it down, and buts it back together and you look on the the floor and there is a little spring lying there. and you show him , he looks at it, then says, The engine is running alright, i don't need that and toss it into the trash! Then 3 months later on the back roads of "New Mexico" where he has not seen a vehicle in the last 2 hours traveling or a back desert Town. he hears some claking noise! about 430 miles from a reliable "Cat Engine" repair shop! and 2000 miles from home! yes you are right, he start thinking about that small spring, He throw in the trash.

These are real live stories! And I don't make no mistakes like that. That repair might cost about 10 to 15 thousand dollars. to put a 15 cent spring in! LOL

Life has many lessons.! So if that spring is on the floor, you get a book and tear that "Cat 3406E" back down while you are still and home. Then after about 4 days you can curise on across :"New Mexico" desert with ease.

And jesus said: If i have told you about earthly things and you have not understood, you sure is not going to understand the Heavenly things.
 
There was a time when everyone went to the netherworld when they passed away:
Jesus too because when he passed away on the cross; Jesus didn't go up, rather,
he went down. (Matt 12:40, John 20:17, Acts 7:25-31).

When we take into consideration everybody who ever lived and died on this planet
beginning with Adam until the day when people started going to heaven; then we're
talking about a very large number of people. How did they all fit in the netherworld
without overcrowding?

Well; it's evident that people exist in the afterlife as disembodied spirits. (Heb
12:22-23, 1Pet 3:18-20)

The feral man of Mark 5:1-13 and Luke 8:26-33 was possessed by a community of
evil spirits who labeled themselves Legion. Webster's defines a legion as the
principal unit of the Roman army comprising 3,000 to 6,000 foot soldiers with
cavalry.

The legion of spirits that Christ exorcised from the man went out and possessed a
herd of about 2,000 swine. That's a pretty good example of how spirits take up no
room in the physical world; nor do they crowd each other. All 3,000-6,000 of those
spirits managed to fit inside the bodily cargo area of just that one man.

That being the case, then the netherworld need not be a void. People can exist
down there in solid rock because spirits don't need space, they just need a place.

note: Any attempt to drill down to the heart of the Earth in search of the
netherworld would likely be futile because it isn't a physical world, rather, it's a
supernatural world. Drilling could, and would, pass right through the very center of
the netherworld and still not find it.

UPDATE: 41 days have elapsed since my first comment. If the figures in post No.5
are in the ball park, then something like 2,547,084 new arrivals have checked into
the fiery sector of Hades since Oct 08, 2020.
_
 
The Adversary is skilled and a "Perfect Deceiver" and "Knows his "Creator very well" and Obey's. And he knows why he was created. And He is well acquainted with "The WORD of GOD" for he was created through HIM. So my true brothers and SIsters in Christ, beware and stay on "The PATH" and trust no man. "He that things he stands take heed less he falls"

(Luke 8)NASB copyright 1977
17“For nothing is hidden that shall not become evident, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light.18“Therefore take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him shall more be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”

Douay-Rheims Bible
But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have said to you. (John 14).

(John 16) BSB

12I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. 13However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you. 15Everything that belongs to the Father is Mine. That is why I said that the Spirit will take from what is Mine and disclose it to you.

And we who are of The Same Spirit of GOD, Speaks the Same type of "Biblical Language"! That only a "True Child of GOD" can speak!

New American Standard Bible
A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; for even the way you talk gives you away."

New King James Version
And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.”

I do declare to all My brothers and Sisters in Christ! GOD will not have you ignorant to who OUR True Brothers and Sisters that are in Christ Jesus Our LORD, No matter how many Scriptures they can Quote! For The devils Themselves know who "The Son Of God" is. They Know "The WORD"! But your Father who are in Heaven will not HAve you "Ignorant" of The Truth! YOu Have the "Paraclete" Living in YOU!

For many are Deceive but you belong unto The FEW! " Many are called but a Few are chosen"

They may quote Scripture and declared that Jesus is The Son of GOD! But many are not, and many are trying to lead you away by "bread crumbs". For The Bread of Life they are giving you, is lace with "Leaven'! that taste like "ANTI-Freeze" SWEET! And slowly it is entering into your "being" I can see it just as clear as day. shining as bright as the SUN in Mid-day!

King James Version
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. [Adversary I see you]!

"Sons of GOD"
stay on The Path! for if you get off, he has permission, not only to attack you........ but to wound you also! "The Mark of Remindment!":eyes:

This is not hate speech, I am warning you, Because I am keeping my feet on the Path! The devil is trying to get you off unto the "Service Road" in a Strange country, and it is dark!

A person i know said one time: You can get off of the Path if you want too! That devil will grap you by you back collar and drag you down that dark alley Backwards until he gets tried! "And that DARK ALLEY" is Spiritual. And the Hounds of Hell is down there!:eyes:

if you do not believe me. Keep on living in dis obedience, That devil willl make a believer out of YOU! and he does not care if you are a male or female,
After Jesus cast all those demons out of "Mary Magdalene" you wound stay at the feet of Jesus too!

This thing is real! and it is getting late in the Day! Anti-Depressant pills is not going to get it! Neither is The "Wizard of OZ" or Taps from "Red Slippers"!
Prime time Television is flooded with Pills with "side effects" and Pills for the "side affects" for the "side effects" playing in the background "Elevator Music"!
so you can go out and play and eat Ice cream,

I guess I am not popular
and I will not the popularity Award.:pensive:






 
I guess I am not popular and I will not [win] the popularity award.

Too many kids these days-- and some grown-ups --are judging their value as a
person by the number of likes they get on social media.

It’s you I like,
It’s not the things you wear,
It’s not the way you do your hair.

But it’s you I like
The way you are right now,
The way down deep inside you.

Not the things that hide you,
Not your toys,
They’re just beside you.

But it’s you I like,
Every part of you,
Your skin, your eyes, your feelings.

Whether old or new,
I hope that you’ll remember,
Even when you’re feeling blue;

That it’s you I like,
It’s you yourself,
It’s you; it’s you I like.

by Fred Rogers (a.k.a. Mr. Rogers)

Right now, Mr. Donald Trump is the most hated US President that has ever to be
elected during my 76 years on this planet; but that hatred fails to deter the man
because Mr. Trump believes in himself. In other words, religion aside: the only
applause you will ever really desperately need in this world is your own.
_
 
objection: Hell doesn't make sense that a loving God would torment people in a
fiery prison forever and ever.

response: I fully agree that it makes no sense at all. But then human sensibilities
are produced by a 3-pound lump of flabby organic tissue; and not even all three of
those pounds are devoted to cognitive processes. On top of that, those three
pounds are 60% fat. That fatty, flabby, organic tissue can alter one's personality
with little more than an aneurism or a blow to the head.

Just how sensible can a fatty, flabby, organic sense really be compared to the sense
of a supernatural being with enough intelligence to invent, design, and construct a
fully functioning cosmos with all of its forms of life, matter, and energy? A fatty,
flabby, organic sense isn't even a dunce in comparison: it's a sub dunce; if even
that.

1Cor 3:20 . .The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are empty.

Well; that's certainly not a very flattering evaluation. It's as much as saying that, in
God's opinion, the smartest among humanity basically consists of air heads; and if
that's His evaluation of the best and brightest, then where does God rank those of
us with an average IQ?

UPDATE: 45 days have elapsed since my first comment. If the figures in post No.5
are in the ball park, then something like 2,795,580 new arrivals have checked into
the fiery sector of Hades since Oct 08, 2020.
_
 
The wrath of God is interesting. For example:

Isa 13:9 . . Behold, the day of Christ comes-- cruel; with both wrath and fierce
anger

The Hebrew word for "wrath" in that statement is 'ebrah (eb-raw') which indicates
an outburst of passion. In other words: the wrath of God won't be weeping big wet
crocodile tears while it's slamming the dead at the Great White Throne event
depicted at Rev 20:11-15; no, they will be terminated with extreme prejudice; viz:
their judgment will be administered with choler. (cf. Isa 63:1-6, Rev 19:15)

Webster's defines "fierce" as a behavior exhibited by humans and animals that
inspires terror because of the wild and menacing aspect of fury in attack. Ferocity is
an aspect commonly seen among roaring, snarling lions savagely attacking prey.
There's neither sportsmanship nor sympathy in ferocity; only sheer terror, brutality,
and blood lust.

"cruel" is defined as: disposed to inflict pain or suffering; viz: devoid of humane
feelings

Heb 10:27 . . A certain fearful expectation of . . . fiery indignation

"fiery indignation" is quite a bit more severe than ordinary indignation. It speaks of
someone who is seriously ticked off; and so angry that they're actually red in the
face.

There are people out there in pews all around the world who have been so coddled
by sappy versions of Christianity that they have no concept of the magnitude of the
lethal tsunami of rage and violence coming their way to get them.

Another interesting aspect of the wrath of God is the person appointed to
administer it-- none other than the sweet little baby away in a manger.

John 5:22-23 . .The Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the
Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father.

Acts 17:31 . . For God has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by
the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from
the dead.

Rev 19:15 . . He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress
of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

UPDATE: 48 days have elapsed since my first comment. If the figures in post No.5
are in the ball park, then something like 2,981,952 new arrivals have checked into
the fiery sector of Hades since Oct 08, 2020.
_
 
2Thess 2:11-12 . . God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe
the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had
pleasure in unrighteousness.

In other words: there's coming a time when God's patience will reach its reasonable
limits, and He will purposely, willfully, and deliberately make sure that a certain
category of people have no chance whatsoever to be spared the wrath of God.

Back when Noah was preparing the ark, no doubt his neighbors all mocked and
poked fun at him as if he were a deranged soul going around with a sandwich
board that reads: Repent; The End Is Near! But when the rain started, I bet those
very same neighbors panicked and tried to get Noah to open up and let them in.
But even had Noah wanted to; he couldn't. The hatch of the ark was sealed from
the outside: and God was the only one on earth who could open it-- He chose not
to.

Rev 1:18 . . I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive
forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Rev 3:7 . .These are the words of him who is holy and true: who holds the key of
David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.

UPDATE: 51 days have elapsed since my first comment. If the figures in post No.5
are in the ball park, then something like 3,168,324 new arrivals have checked into
the fiery sector of Hades since Oct 08, 2020.
_
 
And how many people have been welcomed into Heaven? Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. All born again believers will find out how many when they get there.
 
And how many people have been welcomed into Heaven? Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. All born again believers will find out how many when they get there.
Why do people keep saying that people are gone into Heaven when they die. And the Bible does not back that up, whats so ever. To me that should be called false teachings of something the Bible never proclaims and it is Compelely Opposite of "The Gospel According to Jesus Christ" Our savior.

(Jesus said): Plainly
12“If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13“No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. (John 3).

And on another occassion He said this: [meaning The Rapture I would think].
(John 14).
2My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going.”

The Reason I am saying this because i think it is Very Important! And it is against GOD's Will for me to stand by and let this "error" go unchallenge for He will hold Me accountable! And I have no animosity against you if you proclaim you are speaking the Truth and I am in "error"! But I will not deny Him and His Word. And we can move on without debate. And it will be judge by Him at "The Bema Seat".

"My Peace I give you and not of The world."
"For Judgment will begin at the House of GOD"
New American Standard Bible
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.

This will come to pass too!
This is not a argument but to come to the knowledge of truth. because if we get it wrong it breeds to more falsehood or error instead of more truth and righteousness.
 
When a born again believer dies -- they are immediately with Jesus Christ. Absent from the body is being present with the Lord. The physical body dies and the soul is present with Christ.

When the rapture of the Church takes place -- all of the born again people past and 'present' Will be meeting Christ in the sky and will be with Him -- the marriage super of the Lamb.

Eventually there Will be the New Jerusalem. God will bring it down with Him.
 
When a born again believer dies -- they are immediately with Jesus Christ. Absent from the body is being present with the Lord. The physical body dies and the soul is present with Christ.

When the rapture of the Church takes place -- all of the born again people past and 'present' Will be meeting Christ in the sky and will be with Him -- the marriage super of the Lamb.

Eventually there Will be the New Jerusalem. God will bring it down with Him.
A born again believer is always with Jesus we are never separated from Him, For we are " Born of GOD"! For we are hidden in Christ Jesus our Lord", For we are The Temple of GOD, Born of His Spirit and wash in HIS Blood. If the "Holy Spirit" is In you! And The Holy Spirit is part of "The Triune" and They are One.
That is No brainer to comprehend for the "sons of GOD"! That is why we have the mind of Christ" and the wisdom freely given unto us by GOD. And the world cannot understand us. Remember.

(1Cor.2)ASV.
12But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God. 13Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual words .
14Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged. 15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, and he himself is judged of no man. 16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
 
It's the Holy Spirit that comes to indwell each believer at the moment they accept Jesus Christ. It is Not Jesus Christ indwelling them.

Yes, we Do have the mind of Christ. But it's not His literal mind.

So -- when a born again believer dies. Their physical body dies , but our spirit is with Jesus Christ.
 
It's the Holy Spirit that comes to indwell each believer at the moment they accept Jesus Christ. It is Not Jesus Christ indwelling them.

Yes, we Do have the mind of Christ. But it's not His literal mind.

So -- when a born again believer dies. Their physical body dies , but our spirit is with Jesus Christ.
I never excepted him he came upon me, he chose me. Just like the same way I was born out of my mothers womb. I was chosen and A "Elect of GOD" I had nothing to do with, Jesus appeared to me i saw HIm! and Then I Had A New Birth! Maybe you had to except Him, I didn't So we are different. You made a discision I did not! I had a "Miraculous Conversion"! I did not have a choice! That is why you don't understand me! My Conversion was different. "Many are Called and Few are Chosen" You answered the call and excepted it. I was Chosen. And on your best day you cannot understand "the Elect". ok. You cannot teach me but you try in total disobedience. I had a "beatific vision" upon conversion. The Presbytery had to explain it to me and my parents. That they could understand what had happen to me.
 
@PloughBoy -- I just clicked into the link you shared. It happens to be a teaching of the RCC. There are a couple of Scriptures they use -- a person needs to read them in their intended context.

The RCC theology states that when praying to God -- a person is , therefore, united With God -- which, may or may Not actually be true. The 1st prayer that God Does hear, through Jesus Christ, is that of acknowledging the person's need for salvation. Accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. And That establishes a personal relationship between the person and God -- through Jesus Christ.

Parts of the RCC beliefs Are fairly true -- but Most is not based on Scripture taken in it's context. The RCC church fathers tend to add their thoughts To Scripture to supposedly make it more complete.
 
And, yes, born again believers Are chosen by God before the foundations of the earth. They are called The Elect. No one but God knows who will accept or reject His salvation. But a person Still has to make that choice -- acceptance.

The Elect person will -- at some point in their life - accept Jesus Christ.

But 'we' have no idea who those people are -- only God does -- so - 'we' are told to share the Gospel unto salvation with all who will listen. No person can force another person to accept. But -- no one is automatically going to heaven, either, because that Could suggest a 'good works' salvation. Ephesians 2: 8-9.

There are Lots of really nice people who do Lots of good works who will end up in hell. Because It's NOT our good works that 'earn our way'. It's totally God's grace. And there are some really ornery people -- who've done some nasty things that Do get reached by the gospel of salvation and Do acknowledge their need and Do accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and SAvior and will be in heaven. IF it were up to 'us' -- all the really nice, good people would automatically Be in heaven and the others would be left alone. And then there are the normal, everyday people who go to church and raise their families and the Holy Spirit convicts them and they do accept. And they will be in heaven. Our good or bad works won't keep a person Out of or help them get Into heaven. Acceptiing the sufficiency of the cross Will. Christ's shed blood is enough.

Everyone comes to God through Jesus Christ the same way. The convicting power of the Holy Spirit. Your belief in your heart and your confession by your mouth.

Some Presbyterian churches also teach that as well as some Lutheran churches.

I'm sharing Anything in 'total disobedience'. In sincere concern, yes.
 
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