Romans 3:23 FOR ALL HAVE SINNED, AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD; Romans 5:12 WHEREFORE, AS BY ONE MAN SIN ENTERED INTO THE WORLD, AND DEATH BY SIN; AND SO DEATH PASSED UPON ALL MEN, FOR THAT ALL HAVE SINNED: Romans 6:23 FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH; BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. ROMANS 1:18 FOR THE WRATH OF GOD IS REVEALED FROM HEAVEN AGAINST ALL UNGODLINESS AND UNRIGHTEOUSNESS OF MEN, WHO HOLD THE TRUTH IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS; Romans 5:8 BUT GOD COMMENDETH HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US.
Romans 10:9-13 THAT IF THOU SHALT CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH THE LORD JESUS, AND SHALT BELIEVE IN THINE HEART THAT GOD HATH RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, THOU SHALT BE SAVED. FOR WITH THE HEART MAN BELIEVETH UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND WITH THE MOUTH CONFESSION IS MADE UNTO SALVATION.FOR THE SCRIPTURE SAITH, WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON HIM SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED. FOR THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE JEW AND THE GREEK: FOR THE SAME LORD OVER ALL IS RICH UNTO ALL THAT CALL UPON HIM.FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 2 Corinthians 2 :11Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. Devices or Wiles of Satan, The Devil: DOUBT – Many a young believer will doubt their salvation, especially when they sin, things are falling apart all around them. This is a device of the devil. God would not have us DOUBT our salvation. Romans 10:9-13That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. FEAR – another device of Satan: Fear is not of God. We should not fear death. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. And Paul (who suffered much) reminded believers to fear no man: Hebrews 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. NO HOPE – HOPELESSNESS– Satanwants us to believe we have no hope, that all is hopeless. This is not from God. Remember Job? (read chapters 1-3) Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Philippians 4:7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus WORRY– another wile from Satan. He wants the believer to worry about everything. But Paul offers a solution: Philippians 4:6Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. UNFORGIVENESS – Satan would love for a believer to think they are unforgiven. But Paul reminds us that through HIS blood we have forgiveness: Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: BITTERNESS – Another trap from the devil. Bitterness or being bitter hurts our testimony. Ephesians 4:31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; HATE – Believers should not HATEsomeone. But hate sin: Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. Paul reminds us of what we were: Titus 3:3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. ENVY – The devil loves to get into the mind of a believer with this device: Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Romans 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 2 Corinthians 12:20For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: Galatians 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another. Philippians 1:15Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 1 Timothy 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. To defeat the DEVICES or WILES of the devil, the apostle Paul wrote: 1 Corinthians 10:13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Hebrew saw-tawn adversary, withstand, Satan Greek satanas the Accuser, the devil, Satan
Satan has many names and is referred to 174 times in the scripture. I. The Person: 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 2:2, 2 Corinthians 4:4 II. His origin Created by God Ezekiel 28:11-19(14) Lucifer became Satan Isaiah 14:12-20 Satan means adversary III. His present location: 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 2:2, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Job 1:7, 2:2, Revelation 12:10 IV. His Kingdom: Matthew 12:24-30(26) Ephesians 6:12, Daniel 10:10-14(13) V. His methods: 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, Galatians 1:6-9 1 Timothy 4:1-5, 2 Peter 2:1-2 VI. His doom: Revelation 12:9-12, 13:2-8, 20:1-3, 20:7-10 Matthew 25:41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Names of Satan: Revelation 9:11 (1) angel of the bottomless pit (2) Abaddon (Destroyer) (3) Apollyon I Peter 5:8 (4) adversary (5) the Devil (6) a Roaring Lion Matthew 12:24 (7) Beelzebub (8) prince of the Demons II Corinthians 6:15 (9) Belial Revelation 12:9-10 (10) Dragon (11) serpent (12) Satan (13) accuser of the brethren Isaiah 14:12 (14) Lucifer (15) son of the morning John 8:44 (16) murderer from the beginning (17) father of lies Job 1:6 (18) son of God Ezekiel 28:12 (19) king of Tyre Psalms 91:3 (20) the fowler Mathew 13:4 (21) the fowls Matthew 13:19 (22) the wicked one Matthew 13:25 (23) the enemy (sower of tares) John 10:12 (24) the wolf John 14:30 (25) prince of the world II Corinthians 4:4 (26) god of this world (age) II Corinthians 11:14 (27) angel of light Ephesians 2:2 (28) prince of the power of the air Ephesians 6:12 (29) ruler of darkness II Thessalonians 2:3 (30) man of sin (31) son of perdition I Thessalonians 3:5 (32) the tempter
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Many people today, and through out history have scoffed at the idea of an evil being called SATAN. If an individual does not believe the Holy Bible then they have no reason to believe. But SATAN is mentioned by this name and several others all through the Scripture. This study will only look at the occurrences of SATAN. He is first mentioned in Chronicles where he provoked King David. 1 Chronicles 21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. To get an insight to the spiritual battle between God and Satan we turn to the first 2 chapters of the book of Job (Probably the oldest book in the Bible). Job 1:6-9Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Job 1:12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. Job 2:1-4Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord. And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. Job 2:6-7And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. As the story continues, it looks like Satan gets the best of Job. Yes, Job suffered a lot but reading of the final chapter shows how God rewards faith. The next mention of Satan is in Psalms. It deals with the life of a wicked man. (vs 7-8 refer to Judas) Psalm 109:6Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.
The world situation today: News broadcasters, commentators and prophets, both true and false are filling the air waves with what’s happening and what’s going to happen, according to man’s calculations and what the word of God does or doesn’t say. We’re being blasted with doomsday reports: Food shortages, Oil, Gas, heating shortages, overcrowding, global warming or cooling, Hurricanes and Ocean risings. Environmental EXPERTS are continually warning us about the destruction of Mother Earth. They warn, we’ve got to stop our fighting, our bickering, our useless wars, we’ve got to join to combat the common problems that will destroy us all. There is just too many of us traveling thru space on this little ball which is growing smaller each day. What’s the Solution? Something as to be done… More Laws, more legislation, more controls, tighter regulations, tighter controls, WE NEED HELP! We need a Solution!
The only solution (and many of our own elected officials are promoting this) is a ONE world government. Now this Government (like all governments) will need a leader – a man to head it up – a Super person to run the show. The whole world is calling for this to happen. For many, many years world leaders have been stating this very fact and look what they’ve tried: The League of Nations, The United Nations, both man’s efforts at a one world government, ONE WORLD LEADER.
What does scripture have to say about all this? What’s the THUS SAITH THE LORD? Daniel predicted a one world leader: 7:8,21-26, 8:24-25 , 9:27, 11:37-45 . Then in Revelation 13:1-8 Where he comes from, his kingdom, his power, his authority, even his length of serving. He’s the Beast!
Two Beasts: Revelation 13:1 (the 1st beast) and 13:11 beast number 2. Why two Beasts? God is a trinity: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Satan is a counterfeiter. Isaiah 14 gives us his bold “I WILL” claims. One of these is “I will be like the most High God”. Satan (Lucifer) will copy God’s trinity. Revelation 12:3 gives us the Dragon, Satan’s counterpart to God. The first beast (Revelation 13:1) is the counterpart to Christ. The second beast (Revelation 13:11) is the counterpart to the Holy Spirit. Revelation 19:20 names the second beast “The False Prophet”.
The first beast is simply called the “beast”. Daniel referred to him as the “Little Horn” but that’s to show his power not his name. The Christian world calls him the ANTICHRIST. Which means “one who opposes or is opposite Christ”. It is interesting to note “ANTICHRIST” is only found in John’s epistles and then it doesn’t speak of the Antichrist. 1 John 2:18,22, 4:3, 2 John 7
Christ warned that in the great tribulation (Last 3 ½ years) there would be many false christ’s Matthew 24:21-28. Even now there are those false christ’s around. The ANTICHRIST (beast of Revelation 13) will be a man, a political leader, he’ll be a world renowned person, he’ll appear to be a good guy, solving many problems and offering peace to all. Here’s the question. If we are in the last days (and many say we are), the Antichrist must be around (alive). Who is he? During the last 1900 years many men have been assigned the title, but none have filled the bill. During WW2 a famous evangelist was sure that Benito Mussolini was the Antichrist. Others thought Hitler, and still others said it was Stalin. In 1967 another man, Moshe Dayan was named. Then Henry Kissinger was thought to be the Antichrist. And today other names are suggested.
But what’s God’s word say? What’s the THUS SAITH THE LORD? 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Let’s not be too quick to look for the Antichrist. Our command is to keep our eyes upon the Lord. To look up for our redemption draweth neigh. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
… a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person’s death.
The only time the word HEIR is used in the gospels is found in the Parable of The Certain Householder in Matthew 21:33-40, Mark 12:1-9, Luke 20:9-16. Matthew 21:38, Mark 12:7, Luke 20:14But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. The Apostles James and Peter understood that they, the Jews were HEIRS according to the (Old Testament) promise made to Abraham: James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirsof the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. And again, the Apostle Paul also writes to the Hebrews, (Jews) while proving that Christ was the Messiah, He was also Heir of all things: Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Hebrews 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: And also, of Noah: Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. And also, of Abraham (and his descendants): Hebrews 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirswith him of the same promise: (see Gen 17:4,5) And then to BELIEVERS Paul wrote: Romans 4:13-14 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; Galatians 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heirof God through Christ. Galatians 4:30Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heirwith the son of the free woman. Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Yes, we not only received Everlasting Life when we believed the Gospel(I Corinthians 15:1-4) and acted uponit (Romans 10:9-13). We also have the victory over the grave (1 Corinthians 15:51-57). And we are joint HEIRS with Christ for Eternity.
(fool’s, foolish) a person who acts unwisely or imprudently; a silly person.
Found 189 times in the KJV Bible Old Testament (147) Genesis (1) 31:28 Numbers (1) 12:11 Deuteronomy (2) 32:6, 32:21 1 Samuel (2) 13:13, 26:21 2 Samuel (4) 3:33, 13:13,15, 24:10 1 Chronicles (1) 21:8 2 Chronicles (1) 16:9 Job (6) 1:22, 2:10, 5:2,3 12:17, 30:8 Psalm (15) 5:5, 14:1, 38:5, 39:8, 49:10, 53:1, 69:5, 73:3,22, 74:18,22, 75:4, 92:6, 94:8, 107:17 Key verses 14:1The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 53:1The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. Proverbs (78) 1:7,22,32, 3:35, 7:22, 8:5, 9:6,13, 10:1,8,10,14,18,21,23, 11:29, 12:15,16,3, 13:16,19,20, 14:1,3,7,8,9,16,17,24,33, 15:2,5,7,14,20, 16:22, 17:7,10,12,16,21,24,25,28, 18:2, 6:7,19:1,3,10,13,29, 20:3, 21:20, 22:15, 23:9, 24:7,9, 26:1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12, 27:3,22, 28:26 29:9,11,20, 30:22,32 Ecclesiastes (23) 2:14,15,16,19, 4:5,13, 5:1,3,4, 6:8, 7:4,5,6,9,17,25, 9:17, 10:2,3,12,13,14,15 Key verse 2:14The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: Isaiah (4) 19:11,13, 35:8, 44:25 Jeremiah (5) 4:22, 5:4,21, 10:8 Lamentations (1) 2:14 Ezekiel (1) 13:3 Hosea (1) 9:7 Zechariah (1) 11:15 Many of the verses found in the Old Testament refer to the ACTIONS of man. FOOLISH.
New Testament (42) Matthew (7) 5:22, 7:26, 23:17, 23:19, 25:2,3,8 Key VS 5:22 (…Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.) Mark (1) 7:22 Luke (3) 11:40, 12:20, 24:25 Key vs 12:20 (But God said unto him, Thou fool, …) Most of the above are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ Romans (4) 1:21,22 2:20 Key vs 1:22 (Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,) 1 Corinthians (11) 1:18,20,21,23,25,27, 2:14, 3:18,19, 4:20, 15:36 2 Corinthians (7) 11:16.17,19,21,23, 12:6,11
Paul writes: We are fools for Christ’s sake, Galatians (2) 3:1,3 Ephesians (2) 5:4,15 1 Timothy (1) 6:9 2 Timothy (1) 2:23 Titus (2) 3:3,9 1 Peter (1) 2:15
As the above verses are studied we see the man apart from God acts as a FOOL! And foolishly says THERE IS NO GOD.
These words are used interchangeable throughout the Scripture, but would suggest that there is a difference. There are many scriptures containing the words but here is the thought: Eternal is always was / is / will Be … lasting or existing forever; without end or beginning.
God is Eternal Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God …. Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is thy refuge, … (Genesis 21:33 refers to the LORD and the everlasting God.) Psalm 41:13 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. (i.e. eternal) Amen, and Amen. And many other scripture can be noted using the word everlasting. Lord Jesus is Eternal John 1:1-3,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made……. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Romans 1:20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternalpower and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Ephesians 3:11 According to theeternalpurpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 1 Timothy 1:17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Holy Spirit is Eternal Hebrews 9:14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through theeternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, … Heaven (God’s Abode) is Eternal 2 Corinthians 5:1For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Kingdom of God is Eternal and Spiritual John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God Romans 14:17 For the kingdomofGod is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdomofGod is not in word, but in power. 1 Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdomofGod; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Everlasting has a beginning but no end …lasting forever or for a very long time.
Predestination is a debated issue both in and outside of the church. It deals with God and his salvation. Those people who support the idea of predestination believe that God predestines or chooses those who will be saved and those who will not be saved. Most fundamental Baptists oppose predestination and argue that instead God in his foreknowledge knows who will and will not be saved. The Bible is not very clear on this issue and there are verses that support and oppose predestination. Some verses seem to aid those who are for it, but could just be evidence of some form of election. Predestination has been debated for centuries and is still not a settled issue.
Those who believe in predestination can be connected with such views as Cynicism or Gnosticism, which teaches that man is not held responsible for his sins because he is naturally flawed. They teach that righteousness results in rewards in Heaven. Predestination though, is most commonly associated with Calvinism. Calvinist believe in double predestination. They use several bible verses to support their idea. Such verses as Romans 9:15-16 which says; For He sayeth to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. They use these verses in the aspect that God chooses certain people to save from Hell. Verse sixteen seems to imply that it is not up to the person, he has no choice or will (So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth.) Another verse used is Romans 9:21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? This verse is taken as God being the potter and he has power over everyone making them good or making them bad. Fundamental Christians will argue the idea predestination very strongly. They believe that God gives every man a free will, a choice whether to do wrong or to follow after him. God is all knowing, and therefore he knows who will and will not choose him, He does not decide for them.
Deuteronomy 30:19 states; I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: Therefore choose, that both thou and thy seed may live. This verse is clearly stating a choice between good and evil. God is asking people to choose life, he is not forcing them into it, neither is he forcing death upon them. God even brings witnesses, heaven and earth, to prove that he is giving man free will. In Joshua 24:15 it says,“choose ye this day whom ye will serve.” Showing again man’s choice in his destiny. The familiar verse John 3:16 tells us that God loves the world. If God truly loves the world why would he destine some of it to a torturous hell for eternity? God provided a heaven for those who will choose him. Mark 16:16 states, He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Throughout God’s word are many examples and proofs that man is the one in charge of his own eternity. God is not a dictator, he would not send a person directly to hell without redemption. Men who argue in favor of predestination only want to make excuses for their sins. If man could prove that he had no choice and that it was already determined for him whether he would go to heaven or hell, than he would have no reason not to sin. If God determined before hand that someone was not going be saved then why should that man follow God? He is going to hell anyway, why not live life the way he wants to live it? That is exactly why men seek to prove that they have no choice in the matter. All history is filled with men such as Charles Darwin, John Calvin and others who have tried to excuse sin by making up beliefs and “scientific facts”, trying to show that they are not responsible for their eternity. In the bible these men are called scorners and mockers. Paul called them fools for their unbelief. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved”, that is the truth. Whosoever means anyone can choose to call on the Lord. Therefore predestination is a wrong philosophy with no biblical standings. The verses used to support predestination are taken out of context. God loves all people and he desires that all men will repent of their sins and be saved. He does not predestine any man’s future, and it is a sin to believe that he does and to blame God for man’s sins.
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
222 times in the KJV Bible 172 times in Old Testament 8-Exodus 2-Deuteronomy 14- 1 Kings 1- 1 Chronicles 9- 2 Chronicles 1- Ezra 23- Job 8- Psalm 53-Proverbs 25- Ecclesiastes 5- Isaiah 5-Ezekiel 10- Daniel 1- Micah 50 times in New Testament 3- Matthew 1- Mark 7- Luke 1- Romans 15- 1 Corinthians 1-2 Corinthains 3-Ephesians 6- Colossians 4-James 1-2 Peter 4-Revelation
Many of the references tell us that WISDOM comes from God and probably one of the best references is found in James 1:5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCES Exodus 28:3, 31:3,6, 35:26,31,35, 36:1 (…whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom) Deuteronomy 4:6, 34:9 (…full of the spirit of wisdom) 2 Samuel 14:20, 20:22 (…according to the wisdom of an angel of God) 1 Kings 2:6, 3:28, 4:29,30,34, 5:12, 7:14, 10:4,6,7,8,23,24, 11:14 (…And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding) 1 Chronicles 22:12 (…Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding) 2 Chronicles 1:10,11,12, 9:3,5,6,7,22,23 (…Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon) Ezra 7:25 (…after the wisdom of thy God,) Job 4:21, 6:13, 11:6, 12:2,12,13,16, 13:5, 15:8, 26:3, 28:12,18,20, 28:28, 32:7,13, 33:33, 34:35, 36:5, 38:36,37, 39:17,26 (…Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom) Psalm 37:30, 49:3, 51:6, 90:12, 104:24, 105:22, 111:10, 136:5 (…The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom) Proverbs 1:2,3,7,20, 2:2,6,7,10, 3:13,19,21, 4:5,7,11, 5:1, 7:4, 8:1,5,11,12,14, 9:1,10,13,21,23,31,11:2,12, 12:8, 13:10, 14:6,8,33, 15:21,33, 16:16, 17:16,24, 18:1,4, 19:8, 21:30, 23:4;9; 23:23; 24:3,7,14, 29:3,15, 30:3, 31:26 (…For the LORD giveth wisdom) Ecclesiastes 1:13,16,17,18, 2:3,9,12,13, 2:21,26, 7:11,12,19,23,25, 8:1,16,9:10,13,15,16,18, 10:1,3,10 (… Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly) Isaiah 10:13, 11:2, 29:14, 33:6, 47:10 (…the spirit of wisdom and understanding) Jeremiah 8:9, 9:23, 10:12, 49:7, 51:15 (…He hath established the world by his wisdom) Ezekiel 28:4,5,7,12,17 (…With thy wisdom and with thine understanding) Daniel 1:4,17,20, 2:14,20,21,23,30, 5:11,14 (…he giveth wisdom unto the wise,) Micah 6:9 (…and the man of wisdom shall see thy name)
NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES Matthew 11:19, 12:42, 13:54 (…Whence hath this man this wisdom) Mark 6:2 (…From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this ) Luke 1:17, 2:40,52, 7:35, 11:31,49, 21:15 (…And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature) Acts 6:3, 7:10,22 (…full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom) Romans 11:33 (…both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!) 1 Corinthians 1:17,19,20,21,22,24,30, 2:1,4,5,6,7,13, 3:19, 12:8 (…I will destroy the wisdom of the wise) 2 Corinthians 1:12 (…not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God) Ephesians 1:8,17, 3:10 (…may give unto you the spirit of wisdom) Colossians 1:9,28, 2:3,23, 3:16, 4:5 (…Walk in wisdom) James 1:5, 3:13,15,17 (…lack wisdom, let him ask of God) 2 Peter 3:15 (…according to the wisdom given unto him) Revelation 5:12, 7:12, 13:18, 17:9 (…Here is wisdom)
A complete study of the scripture (Listed above) will show that true wisdom is given from God and that man’s wisdom is utter foolishness.
