Predestination

September 22, 2011

Predestination

In this article we will address the issue of predestination. Has God chosen some and rejected others? If so, why? This issue has been a controversial one for centuries. It is my objective to settle this matter, scripturally. In order to do so, we must consult the scriptures.

Throughout scripture we read of an chosen people; one whom God has chosen above all others called Israel. I think most readers will agree with that statement. God said to Israel,

Deuteronomy 7:6

“For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.”

These were Moses’ exact words to the children of Israel. Israel is said to be an holy people, a special people unto himself. That is, unto God. The fact that God “chose” them is evident also as Moses said,

“the LORD thy God hath chosen thee”

At no time is Israel said in scripture to have “chosen” God. As a matter of fact, the scripture proclaim,

Psalm 14:3

“They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

This passage would include all of Israel. All (Israel) have turned aside, and yet, God has chosen Israel to call his own people. The apostle Paul reverberates this when he states,

Romans 3:12

“They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

The fact that all men have turned aside is evident in the Adam and Eve story. When Adam (Eve) ate of the forbidden fruit, all men became sinful; sin was passed to every subsequent generation of Israel. The scriptures state,

Psalm 51:5

“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”

And again,

1 Corinthians 15:20-21

“20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.”

The first man (Genesis 1:26, translated Adam), Adam, brought death to all men. Christ, being the second Adam, bringing life. The fact that all men are guilty and all have turned aside being established, we will continue further.

It has been said to me many times that God doesn’t want “robots”. I agree. If he did, he could have simply created some. However, if your definition of “robot” includes obedient subjects, I’ll have to disagree. A robot can be easily controlled by it’s creator. Couldn’t a human be controlled in such a way by his creator? It is said of king David,

2 Samuel 24:1

“And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.”

Isn’t this “robotic” programming by nature? I mean, did God ask David to perform this action, or did he “move” him to do it? Of course he moved him. This Hebrew word “moved” is defined as,

Strong’s #H5496

cuwth		Pronunciation süth (Key)
Part of Speech verb		Root Word (Etymology) Perhaps denominative from שַׁיִת (H7898)
TWOT Reference 1481

Outline of Biblical Usage

1) to incite, allure, instigate, entice

a) (Hiphil)

1) to incite (to a request)

2) to allure, lure

3) to instigate (bad sense)




To incite (move) someone is controlling by nature. People are incited to lust, murder, steal and a host of other things everyday. This isn’t all the scriptures have to say about such “moving” though. Throughout scripture God moves lots of men to different actions. We are told to pray, by Christ, "lead us not into temptation". All God had to do was tempt David and David succumbed.



2 Chronicles 18:31

“And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.”



Once again, God moved this army to depart in order to help his servant Jehoshaphat. God himself put it in their minds to leave. There are an host of scriptures worded in this same manner, which we will not include here today. I believe the point has been made clearly enough that God is ultimately “intervening” in the daily lives of men; sometimes performing what many would consider to be interference or "robotic" maneuvering. After all, he is God, right? What kind of God would he be if he were powerless in the activities of daily life here on earth? Doesn’t God kill all of us at one point in our lives? Or do you believe you’ll die when you decide to? The scriptures state,

1 Samuel 2:6

“The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.”

And again,

1 Samuel 2:7

“The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.”

And,

Isaiah 45:7

“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.”


The Lord does everything. He is responsible for it all. He caused it. It has been said to me before “stop blaming God for everything”. I “blame” God for nothing. I merely give him credit for his works. I accept the fact the he alone is sovereign. I have no power to do anything short of his causing it. It is God who is directing men. The scriptures state,



Proverbs 16:9

“A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”


I have heard it said before “if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans”. If we cannot make our own plans, but it is the will of God that directs us, as this saying goes, why do we not accept the obvious? That is, that God is sovereign. We as men have no power to control anything. It is only in arrogance and pride that we believe we can. God already wrote the book, and we are not his editors. James wrote,

James 4:13-15

“13Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.”


Here, James, warns of the “evil” involved in simply proclaiming you will do something on the next day as minute as buying and selling. He warns that our lives are as an vapor that appears for a little time; implying what we already know and understand; that we cannot possibly know what tomorrow will bring. God alone knows.


It will be argued that God doesn’t lead men into sin, and yet we have already proven that he caused David to by moving (luring, per the definition given above) him to do just that, as well as the fact that God‘s own words proclaim he creates evil (Isaiah 45:7). God had already commanded David to not number Israel. It was due to God’s anger toward Israel that he did this, as the above reference claims (2 Samuel 24:1). Throughout scripture God sends evil nations against Israel, and then punishes those same nations for the sin involved in their actions.


In order to either prove or refute predestination we have to establish who is sovereign; God or man? If it is man then we can rest assured that we have ultimate control over every aspect of our lives, including our own salvation. If it be God we can rest assured he is in control and we are not. That means we have not the power to choose God anymore than we do to choose breakfast. And, assuredly, we must depend on him for salvation, as the scripture teach.

Thoughts to ponder:

• If we make conscious choices, does that alone prove we are sovereign?
•  If you contend that God is sovereign, how then can you make man sovereign?
•  Can the two sovereign beings coexist and work together? That is within the context of man, who is separated from God by way of sin, being at enmity with him. Enemies work not with one another at any time.
• Can one sovereign being move another against his will to do anything?
• Can God be just sitting up there in heaven, assuming he’s sovereign, awaiting us to choose him?
• How can one choose God if he is turned away from God to begin with, assuming he's sovereign and "lost" or "fallen away"? Do you think it's possible for a man in a fallen state to make such a choice? Wouldn't he always choose to deny God, in his fallen state?
• Is it not the work of God that turns men back to him (John 6:44)?
• If it takes God to draw you, isn’t it his work and not yours?
• Isn’t it God that chooses, as Christ said (Matthew 22:14)?　

The fact that men make conscious choices matters not. Joshua said to the children of Israel,

Joshua 24:15

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”


Every man makes conscious decisions. That is, he makes a conscious (aware of choice, marked by thought) choice to do one thing or another. However, that choice was preordained by God according to scripture (Proverbs 16:9). Some will say that it wasn’t God’s will that Adam and Eve eat from the tree he told them not to eat from. I disagree. God has a plan. He had it from the beginning, and it will stand. Paul said,

Romans 9:19-24

“19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?



God has chosen to make his power known by destroying those he deems unfit for his kingdom; making his mercy known to his own people through the destruction of the wicked, while having mercy on those he calls his own (Israel). Throughout scripture we see the picture painted of God destroying the enemies of Israel. This picture is a shadow of things to come. That is, the day of judgment when God destroys all workers of iniquity (Israelite, non-Israelite), which he hates (Psalm 5:5-6). That is when God’s wrath will be poured out on the wicked, which will ultimately prove his mercy to his children; by punishing the wicked who are unrepentant his children will see the great mercy he had on them.

The apostle Paul explains God’s sovereignty in choosing,

Acts 1:2

“Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:”


1 Timothy 5:21

“I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.” (elect angels are saints, angel meaning messenger. God never elected or chose angels; He chose Israelites)

2 Timothy 2:10

“Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”


Romans 8:33

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.”


Christ proclaimed,

Matthew 22:14

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

John 13:18

“I speak not of you all:(Not all Israelites are chosen, as Judas wasn't; neither was Esau chosen, being a child of Abraham, Isaac's son) I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.” (Judas)


Isaiah 44:1

“Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:”

Isaiah 41:8

“But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.”

　

Psalm 105:43

“And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:”

　

Mark 13:20

“And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.”

Mark 13:27

“And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.”


Isaiah 42:1

“Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.”

Isaiah 65:9

“And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.”

　

Peter explains,

1 Peter 2:9

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”


John explains.

2John 1:1

“The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;” (elect lady being the church, as the church is portrayed as a woman in scripture)

　

I think it’s unnecessary to discuss the meanings of the words “elect” and “chosen,” but know some will twist them, as I have seen in the past. We all know that to be considered “elected” one is “chosen” by someone else. That being said, no one “elects” themselves to any position. They are chosen by another party. For instance, the president of the United States is “elected” or “chosen” by the people of the United States. The president doesn’t just assume the position, neither does any corporate chief executive officer. They are always chosen by another, whether it be an individual or an group of individuals.


In the world today this definition has been severely twisted. While men understand “election” they twist it in order to suit their own needs where salvation is concerned. No man has ever “chosen” or “elected” himself to follow God/Christ. It simply isn’t possible. Common sense, based on the very definition of the words used, dictates otherwise. Why do you believe God chose this wording and yet claim He meant something entirely different? He didn’t. That would be foolishness, and God isn’t foolish like men.

The greatest proof of the doctrine of predestination is found in the book of Romans.

Romans 3:10-11

“10As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

11There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.”


We have already, to a degree, discussed this scripture. All men are found deprived of the ability to seek God. None are righteous in and of themselves; that is without Christ. Christ's righteousness is all we (church) have; if Christ dwell in you. We depend on it for our salvation; as Christ died for his people (Titus 2:14). Reading on further into Romans we read,

Romans 9:6-8

“6Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:(Esau, Ishmael, etc. being examples) 7Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.”


Here, Paul, explains that not all those men born of the flesh of Abraham are in fact true Israelites. It is the children of the promise who are counted, not the children of the flesh (all those born Israelites). These fleshly children are those “called” Israel, yet are not, necessarily, Israel. Not all Israelites have faith in God's son, Jesus. Jesus himself said,

John 6:44

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”


God’s word proclaims that he has chosen a certain people, called Israel, to be his own. They didn’t choose him, he chose them. Christ proclaims here that no man comes to him short of his father “drawing” them. This word “draw” is best translated “drag”

Strong‘s #G1670

helkō		Pronunciation he'l-kō (Key)
Part of Speech verb		Root Word (Etymology) Probably akin to αἱρέω (G138)
TDNT Reference 2:503,227	Vines View Entry

Outline of Biblical Usage

1) to draw, drag off

2) metaph., to draw by inward power, lead, impel


Most folks have the cart drawing the horse; as their doctrine, whether by implication or by direct statement, claims men have the ability to choose God. That is, that men have free will. The scriptures claim men are deprived of the ability to do any such thing (Romans 3:10-11). God does the “dragging”, men do not seek him. In the gospel accounts none of the disciples went looking for Christ. Christ went after them and told them to follow him, they were subsequently obedient. This wasn’t due to their righteousness, but the will of God. God, as Christ said, had chosen them (John 13:18; Mark 13:20 etc.). Just as the above definition states, this is an inward drawing, which is performed by God.


Continuing in Romans we read,

Romans 9:9-12

“9For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. 10And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.”



This passage is speaking of Ishmael and Isaac. Isaac being the promised seed; Ishmael, while being of the loins of Abraham, wasn’t the child of the promise. The scriptures speak of this again in,

Galatians 3:16

“16Now to Abraham and his seed (sperma in the Greek, our word "sperm," I think you get the idea. This same word is used through the entirety of this passage) were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” (The word "Christ" isn't always a noun. It is sometimes used as an adjective, as in this case, which means anointed. Isaac was anointed but Ishmael was not,neither was he ever considered an Israelite, even though he was of the flesh (seed) of Abraham).


Isaac was a picture of Christ (anointed one, and church (ekklesia) who is told to crucify herself (Matt. 16:24)), as Abraham was told to sacrifice Isaac; Abraham being a picture of God sacrificing his son, Jesus (Yahweh's salvation) Christ (anointed one). Here, in this passage, Paul speaks of Christ (the anointed) being the seed (sperma), which when compared to Romans 9:9-10 equates to Christ (Jesus; Yahweh's salvation). Paul speaks of an “election” standing according to the purpose of God. Ishmael was sent away, and although Isaac was second born, he received the inheritance of Abraham (Genesis 25:5-6). Keep in mind, Abraham had at least eight sons. But the promised seed was Isaac, who received all that Abraham had, as shall all those in Christ (anointing, anointed). Only the anointed ones of Israel will receive an inheritance.They are the true Israelites, having a circumcised heart.

Romans 9:13

“13As it is written, Jacob (Israel) have I loved, but Esau (Edom, modern day Jew) have I hated.”

Here Paul equates this same story to Jacob and Esau (he started in verse 10). Just as the election stood concerning Isaac, it would stand concerning Jacob (Israel). Jacob (Israel) was loved, while Esau (Edom; Numbers 24:18) was hated before either one of them were yet born. Neither of these men were born and yet God had already decided to hate Esau (Edom) and love Jacob (Israel). This is where many began to twist election. They will say that this is concerning nations, not two individuals. They are both correct and wrong at the same time. There are two nations, and yet types of people mentioned in scripture of the self same nation; Israelites and what are commonly referred to as "gentiles" (the word "gentile" is another subject entirely). You’re either one or the other. It is those who have a circumcised heart who are true Israelites, and yet those called true Israelites are of the nation Israel and no other.

Romans 2:29

“No, a man is a Jew (The word "Jew" isn't found in the original text, anywhere. This word should've been translated Judean, as in a geographical location) if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.”


And yet in the church it is said there is neither Jew nor Greek,

Galatians 3:28

“There is neither Jew nor Greek (Greek being the word "Hellen," meaning a Greek man/woman), there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (There is much to be said about this scripture, but we will only deal with what is relevant at this particular time)

Of course, this verse speaks of the oneness of the church (ekklesia) Jacob/Israel. For a more thorough study on the identity of Israel see,


http://byeverywordofgod.blogspot.com/search/label/israel


This ignorant idea that this passage speaks of nations is just that, ignorant. The gainsayers want to imply that men have free will, so they twist this passage into something they feel comfortable with. They also like to use this passage to "prove" their universal doctrine. The nation of Israel (fleshly people) was a shadow of the church (ekklesia: spiritual men/women of Israel), whom God has chosen. Their history is a great example unto us, and we should follow the proper examples they displayed and beware of the improper behaviors. In the scripture we read,

Isaiah 66:8

“Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.”


At the time of this writing Israel was a nation. How then could it be speaking of literal Israel? It wasn’t. It speaks of the church, spiritual Israel (men chosen from Israel). Literal Israel was divorced by God (Isaiah 50:1). This spiritual Israel was born when Christ was sacrificed at Golgotha, aka Calvary. So, as you can see, (hopefully) this verse (Romans 9:13)speaks of the spiritual men/women of Israel, as well as two nations or groups of people (as examples only), Judeans, as well as Greeks (Hellens) who were Israelites, yet considered heathens by those who occupied Judea at that time. There is a distinction made in scripture between Israel and Judah that most are not aware of. But that is a discussion for another article. What you must realize is that Judeans thought of all others as heathens (gentiles). That is why many of them would not accept others (Acts 15).

Romans 9:14-16

“14What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”

Paul is here explaining the sovereignty of God. He asks, “Is there unrighteousness with God?” Of course not. God does whatever he pleases (Psalm 115:3). Furthermore Paul says God said to Moses “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” God is sovereign, man is not. God has mercy on whom he wishes, not whom we’d like for him to. In verse sixteen Paul states, “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”. If it’s not of him that willeth (man’s will) or of him that runneth (allegory referring to a man running a race) but God who shows mercy (Paul plainly states it is God‘s decision to have mercy), then it is completely up to God. Man is totally deprived of the ability to do good, that includes “accepting” Christ as his personal savior. There is no such thing as “accepting” Christ found in scripture. This is man made doctrine. Short of God bringing you to the knowledge of the truth and in doing so drawing you to him, you will be lost for all eternity, without any hope whatsoever. Men hate this truth. It’s a scary thought, I’ll admit, that you have no control over your destiny. That is why one must have faith in God. Because in reality, the truth is, we have no ability to change anything. When I was a young man going to church we sang “he’s got the whole world in his hands” and yet those same people think they have it in theirs; that is since they deny the sovereignty of God and believe they are capable of making the proper choices on their own; all the while the scriptures rebuke them.

Romans 9:17-18

“17For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.”


The most popular argument against my next statements will be, “Pharaoh hardened his own heart, not God”. Nonsense! God told Moses from the very get go,

Exodus 3:19

“And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.”


Exodus 4:21

“And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.”


These thing were said to Moses before he ever returned to Egypt and spoke the first word with Pharaoh. It makes no sense to claim that Pharaoh hardened his own heart after God himself told Moses he would do the hardening. However, there are verses after these two which state Pharaoh hardened his heart. The fact still remains, God had already told Moses he would harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he did. While it appeared Pharaoh hardened his heart to the ignorant masses, God was doing this work all along in order to make his power known. God himself prophesied it, and it indeed happened as he said it would.

Romans 9:19-21

“19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”

Here Paul reverberates what David said concerning God being in heaven doing what he pleased (Psalm 115:3). In verse nineteen Paul asks, “Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?” After all, it was God’s will that Pharaoh resist, right? Yes! The scripture says, “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?” Who are you or I to reply to God? Remember, he does whatever he pleases; after all, he is God, right? It goes on to state, “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” God makes two vessels out of one lump (Israel), one for honor, one for dishonor, and there is nothing any of us can do about it. Keep in mind it’s, "not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but God that showed mercy” (Romans 9:16), and he’ll have mercy on whomever he wishes (Romans 9:18). Throughout this chapter Paul is speaking of God’s sovereignty. He is expressing the nature of God to do as he wishes, as God does, according to a host of scripture. Man wants to be his own god. He wants to be in control. Man has made God in his own image. Men hate the one true God of scripture. They love the god they have created in their minds.

Romans 9:22-24

“22What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?”

Paul here expounds on what it is that God is doing. God in his glory has made some vessels (people) for wrath and some for honor. Those “fitted to destruction" serve to make known the riches of God’s glory on those called vessels of mercy (Israel, Church, believers). When the righteous see these wicked destroyed, they will see the great mercy God has bestowed upon them (Being every bit as deserving of punishment as the wicked). If every last man, woman were to be saved, there would be none left to demonstrate God’s wrath. Hence, not all will be saved. Most will in fact be destroyed. Why would God do such a thing you will ask? I don't know any more about it than you, except for what the scriptures proclaim. But keep in mind, God's ways are not our ways. His ways are way beyond our understanding. If you lean on your own understanding you'll be lost. As Christians we are to have faith in God; trusting in him for everything. In this world today man has become dependant on money and various other things. The sad thing is the so-called church is the worst for this. Not only is this "church" ruled by greed, but they instill all their trust in money. If they have to go without the new car they think God isn't with them; all the while scripture is full of accounts of poor Christians. Paul, at one point had to take up an collection for these poor saints. Do you think that they thought that God wasn't with them due to their poverty? Preachers today teach this very thing. The scriptures say,

Acts 14:22

"Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."

Why do you think today's preachers preach this false gospel? Because telling people that they must endure their hardship would cause them to flee from these "churches". Who wants to hear such a thing? No one except a true Christian who isn't in love with cold hard cash. The Word says the love of money is the root of all evil, and yet many cannot live without it. I have dealt with this myself. The love of money is very tempting. But, it isn't worth my soul or yours. Sometimes having faith that God will see you through your troubles is very difficult. Most have no faith in him at all, and look to others (family, friends etc.). I'm not saying it's wrong to accept help, just that it's foolish to disregard God's faithfulness and accept whatever outcome comes your way, faithfully, knowing that,

Romans 8:28

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Maybe God is sending you a message. Maybe he is teaching you to trust in him. Maybe, just maybe, you've got need of this calamity that has come upon you, this trouble that you despise so much. I believe that when we learn to trust in him, life gets easier. Not that it isn't difficult, but we need to learn to accept whatever state we're in. Paul said,

Philippians 4:11

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

So many today called Christian are not content. They can't get enough "stuff". If they don't have that new car or house, or whatever it is they desire, they aren't satisfied. They have to have the newest gadget out there. This is not Christianity. They care more about "stuff" than they do even their so-called fellow Christians. I have been in churches where people are literally "rich" and have plenty and couldn't care less about the church member who's having trouble paying his rent. You see, this man loves his money, not God, nor God's people

James 2:14-17

"14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

I have heard with my own ears men say "have faith in God" when someone tells them of their troubles, and yet, they offer no assistance to those they consider to be their brethren. It's like spitting in Christ face. Christ said,

Matthew 25:34-40

"34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For 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: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And 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."

If you love Christ, why wouldn't you give your brother whatever he needs to ease his pain? Why do you watch as he suffers? He can't pay his rent, his light bill, gas bill etc., and you refuse to give him what he needs? The above scripture says it's the same as doing it to Christ. Would you not pay Christ rent, electric, gas to help him? A man faithful to God would. You should if it's within your means. The scriptures say so, not me. I'm not saying men should volunteer to support another, but that they should offer assistance when needed. After all, you only have a few brothers and sisters in Christ and helping them is the same as helping the savior, Jesus Christ. Who would refuse Christ any assistance he required? Only a fool.

I have, somewhat, gotten off topic here. I couldn't help but preach. God's message is very clear to those who have ears to hear. Christ said,

John 13:34

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."

And again the scriptures say,

1 John 4:11

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."

It is imperative that Christaians love one another. That is both walking in God's commandments in the presence of each other, as well as helping in any way possible, monetarily or otherwise. John wrote,

2 John 1:6

"And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it."

The command to love your brethren is very important, as when you do this you're doing it to your savior (Matthew 25:40). I've said it once, and I'll now say it a second time: would you refuse Christ anything he asked if it was within your means to give him? Wouldn't you lay your very life down for him? There are very few people willing to do this. So few in fact that they are nearly impossible to find these days. We live in a very sad time. The church fell away from the truth some time ago. We live in the time of the apostate church Paul spoke of (2 Thess. 2:3). We are living in Babylon, the great whore. God is calling us out of her (Rev. 18:4). If you do not take heed to this warning you will soon feel the wrath of God.

God told Israel,

Deuteronomy 7:7-

“7The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: 8But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.9Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;10And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.”


Israel is the fewest in number of all nations. They are God’s chosen people. They are not a nation recognized by any other than God himself. They do not dwell in the middle east in a nation called Israel. For more information pertaining to this see,

http://byeverywordofgod.blogspot.com/search/label/israel

　

In Isaiah 10 we read,

Isaiah 10:15

“Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.”


Are you an axe boasting against God almighty? Do you believe you deserve credit for the work of God? If you believe in free will, that is exactly what you’re doing. You are accrediting yourself with what God says he did. You are totally deprived of the ability to seek or serve God short of him causing you to. The majority of people today, just like school kids, go along with the crowd. They want to be accepted by others; refusing to crucify themselves (their desires). Jesus said to take up your cross and follow him. Who are you following? Jesus said,

Matthew 22:14
“many are called, but few are chosen.”


This saying resonates exactly what God said to Israel in Deuteronomy, (Deuteronomy 7:7). God has chosen a few people to be called his own. The idea today is that all men have free will. We have thoroughly refuted that argument in this article. Today’s preachers are greedy, lying whoremongerers. If you are entrapped in one of these churches flee from it or God’s wrath will be poured out on your head. Stop following after false teachers, lying prophets, and submit to God today. May he show you his truth according to his good mercies.


In Christ, Joshua Kelley