Do you believe the scriptures to be true and accurate? If so, then you must believe in a Geocentric Universe. For, when God's word says that, "the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies", it was the sun and the moon which stood still, and not the earth which gave an appearance of these things.
A Geocentric Universe is one where the earth is the center, and not the sun. If we carefully ponder the creation account in Gensis 1, it really could not be anything but Geocentric. If the sun was the center of the solar system, then what did the earth orbit around before the sun was created?
Read more interesting facts at The Biblical Astronomer - Why Geocentricity?
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Buried with Christ into death, so that we might be raised to life. (Romans 6) |
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| Regeneration Born of Water Eating His flesh Live Forever Solely By Grace |
I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; AND he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (John 6:35) |
Conversion Born of Spirit Drinking His blood Hath Eternal Life By Faith & Works |
| Except a man be born of water AND of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5) |
The Unregenerate Man Defined
Adam was created in Gods image, after His likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). That which God created, including Adam, was "very good". (Genesis 1:31). When God created Adam, He "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Genesis 2:7). When God placed Adam within the garden of Eden, He "commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Genesis 2:16-17). When Adam transgressed this commandment, Adam became a dieing soul and was no longer in Gods image or after His likeness. He was no longer "very good". He had become carnal in nature.
This is most evident in the record of Seths birth (Genesis 5:3). Adam "begat a son in his own likeness, after his image". Adam did not pass the image and likeness of God on to Seth, instead he passed his fallen, carnal, dieing soul, to Seth, and to every human concieved since that time. This is further supported by Paul when he states, "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 5:12).
Paul teaches that "the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7). The carnal nature is not, and can never be, subject to the commandments of God.
The unregenerate are rarely spoken of in scripture. They are often an understood type. A few places in scripture where they are mentioned are:
Galatians 4:1 Now I say, [That] the heir {regeneration}, as long as he is a child {unconverted}, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
Romans 7:2-4 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to [her] husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed {regeneration} from the law of [her] husband. So then if, while [her] husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law {regeneration}; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ {regeneration}; that ye should be married to another {conversion}, [even] to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
In the following, the unregenerate are not mentioned, but are understood, since all humans are not buried with Christ.
Romans 6:2-4, 5-6 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin {regeneration}, live any longer therein {unconverted}? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ {regeneration} were baptized into his death {unconverted}? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death {regeneration - unconverted}: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life {conversion}. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him] {regeneration}, that the body of sin might be destroyed {conversion}, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin {regeneration}.
Before a man can be subject to the commandments of God, a change must occur. That which happened to Adam, must be reversed. The first step is to return to the garden of Eden, so that we might put forth our hand and take of the Tree of Life.
For the elect of God, this first step occurs at regeneration.
This is most evident in the record of Seths birth (Genesis 5:3). Adam "begat a son in his own likeness, after his image". Adam did not pass the image and likeness of God on to Seth, instead he passed his fallen, carnal, dieing soul, to Seth, and to every human concieved since that time. This is further supported by Paul when he states, "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 5:12).
Paul teaches that "the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7). The carnal nature is not, and can never be, subject to the commandments of God.
The unregenerate are rarely spoken of in scripture. They are often an understood type. A few places in scripture where they are mentioned are:
Galatians 4:1 Now I say, [That] the heir {regeneration}, as long as he is a child {unconverted}, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
Romans 7:2-4 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to [her] husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed {regeneration} from the law of [her] husband. So then if, while [her] husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law {regeneration}; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ {regeneration}; that ye should be married to another {conversion}, [even] to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
In the following, the unregenerate are not mentioned, but are understood, since all humans are not buried with Christ.
Romans 6:2-4, 5-6 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin {regeneration}, live any longer therein {unconverted}? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ {regeneration} were baptized into his death {unconverted}? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death {regeneration - unconverted}: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life {conversion}. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him] {regeneration}, that the body of sin might be destroyed {conversion}, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin {regeneration}.
Before a man can be subject to the commandments of God, a change must occur. That which happened to Adam, must be reversed. The first step is to return to the garden of Eden, so that we might put forth our hand and take of the Tree of Life.
For the elect of God, this first step occurs at regeneration.
Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
There are no forms of chastening that would bring joy to a person. However, to those who are trained, developed, and conditioned by its affects, and have subjected themselves to power and authority of God, they not only find peace and joy, but also become productive children of God.
Those who are exercised, from among these regenerate adopted children, by the Fathers chastening, are those who convert to a new and living way. These are the born again, or rather those who have been born anew, becoming new creatures having put away thier previous life and have chosen by thier own "Free Will" to walk after the Spirit.
It is not the desire of the Father that any should perish (Matthew 18:14). It is instead, His desire that they repent (Luke 13:3) and become partakers of His holiness.
Related passages:
Deuteronomy 8:5
Those who are exercised, from among these regenerate adopted children, by the Fathers chastening, are those who convert to a new and living way. These are the born again, or rather those who have been born anew, becoming new creatures having put away thier previous life and have chosen by thier own "Free Will" to walk after the Spirit.
It is not the desire of the Father that any should perish (Matthew 18:14). It is instead, His desire that they repent (Luke 13:3) and become partakers of His holiness.
Related passages:
Deuteronomy 8:5
Hebrews 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be partakers of his holiness.
Why are the children of God chastened? It is for their profit, so that they "might be partakers" of His Holiness.
It is important to note that only those who are chastened can be partakers. The "bastards", who are not chastened, are not capable of being partakers.
Remember from verses 6-8, that the "bastards" are unregenerate, and only the regenerate are chastened. There is no "Free Will" where the grace of election and regeneration are concerned. However, where faith and works are concerned, it is all about "Free Will".
I wish people would pay close attention to key words within certain passages, and especially the absence of key words in others.
We are received and chastened, so that we "might" be partakers.
We are buried into death with Christ, so that we "might" be raised to life.
We are delivered to Chirst, so that we "might" come to Christ.
We are given a new man, so that we "might" put on that new man.
Related passages:
1 Corinthains 12:7
Deuteronomy 8:5
It is important to note that only those who are chastened can be partakers. The "bastards", who are not chastened, are not capable of being partakers.
Remember from verses 6-8, that the "bastards" are unregenerate, and only the regenerate are chastened. There is no "Free Will" where the grace of election and regeneration are concerned. However, where faith and works are concerned, it is all about "Free Will".
I wish people would pay close attention to key words within certain passages, and especially the absence of key words in others.
We are received and chastened, so that we "might" be partakers.
We are buried into death with Christ, so that we "might" be raised to life.
We are delivered to Chirst, so that we "might" come to Christ.
We are given a new man, so that we "might" put on that new man.
Related passages:
1 Corinthains 12:7
Deuteronomy 8:5
Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us], and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
Looking to Romans 8:7, and considering that a regenerate person has both a carnal nature and a spiritual nature, it should be evident that every regenerate person is capable of being "enmity against God", so long as the person does not convert, or later falls away. By not converting, or falling away, the regenerate person is wilfully yielding himself as servant to the carnal nature, unto death (Romans 6:16). This is true because, despite regeneration, the carnal man does not change and remains to be "not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be".
So, having been washed by the waters of regeneration and loosed from the bondage of the carnal man, having been delivered from the power of darkness, why would a regenerate person not rather submit himself to the Father and live? Why would he not rather use the power available to him through the Holy Spirit to subdue the carnal man and put on the new man?
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
It is certainly a hard step to take.
Related passages:
Romans 8:7
Romans 6:16
John 3:19
Deuteronomy 8:5
So, having been washed by the waters of regeneration and loosed from the bondage of the carnal man, having been delivered from the power of darkness, why would a regenerate person not rather submit himself to the Father and live? Why would he not rather use the power available to him through the Holy Spirit to subdue the carnal man and put on the new man?
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
It is certainly a hard step to take.
Related passages:
Romans 8:7
Romans 6:16
John 3:19
Deuteronomy 8:5
Hebrews 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
This passage further distinguishes the seperation of the two groups, discussed in verse 6. As stated in verse 6, all of God's adopted children are chastened, none are exempt. This passage describes the other group as "bastards", or rather fatherless. This unadopted group is not chastened in any form or fashion. Looking to Romans 8:7, this group, which is fully carnal, and under the power and authority of darkness, "is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be". They have only a single carnal nature. God cannot chasten them, because they are not under His dominion or rule. This should not be understood as taking anything from His sovereignty. That would be an awful error. Instead, it should be understood, that in the same manner you are not responsible for the actions of the kids down the street, thier welfare, or thier learning, neither is God responsible for this group. Even if He did chasten them, they would not be able to comprehend, understand, or respond to what was happening.
Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
God the Father, just as with our earthly fathers, has set forth guidelines for His adopted children. In John 6:28-29, Jesus says that there is a "to do list" of works that all of God's children are commanded to do. The sum of those required works is to believe in Christ. In Romans 12:1, Paul says that it is our "reasonable service" to "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God".
As discussed in verse 6, those who God chastens are a particular group, set apart from those He does not chasten. As with the children of any family, there will be those who obey, and make every effort to please the parents. On the other hand, there will be those who are rebellious and at constant variance with the parents. The same is true for the children of God, as will become evident in verse 11. And, as with any family, all the children are chastened, although in different and varying ways. Those in constant rebellion and who resist chastening, will be scourged. Those who make every effort to please, may be allowed to chasten themselves. And of course, there are many degrees between these two extremes.
It is easy to conclude, and understand, that the disobedient are just that in every way, and why they will surely be chastened and scourged. But, it may not be easily understood why the obedient would also be chastened. Even when the most obedient child obeys his parents, they fall short of what would be required of them as a mature adult. Therefore, each time a task is completed to an acceptable level, the task will be expected to completed at a higher level the next time. This is a form of chastening to encourage growth and strength.
I am reminded of the phrase, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief". I am often asked by people how they can be assured they believe enough. My answer is, "You will never believe enough". What really matters, is whether or not you are striving to believe more than you do already. This is a form of self chastening. Never conclude that you have done enough, or that you are doing enough.
If you are striving to grow and draw nearer to God, then you are pleasing Him in the greatest way possible.
Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Related passages:
Deuteronomy 8:5
As discussed in verse 6, those who God chastens are a particular group, set apart from those He does not chasten. As with the children of any family, there will be those who obey, and make every effort to please the parents. On the other hand, there will be those who are rebellious and at constant variance with the parents. The same is true for the children of God, as will become evident in verse 11. And, as with any family, all the children are chastened, although in different and varying ways. Those in constant rebellion and who resist chastening, will be scourged. Those who make every effort to please, may be allowed to chasten themselves. And of course, there are many degrees between these two extremes.
It is easy to conclude, and understand, that the disobedient are just that in every way, and why they will surely be chastened and scourged. But, it may not be easily understood why the obedient would also be chastened. Even when the most obedient child obeys his parents, they fall short of what would be required of them as a mature adult. Therefore, each time a task is completed to an acceptable level, the task will be expected to completed at a higher level the next time. This is a form of chastening to encourage growth and strength.
I am reminded of the phrase, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief". I am often asked by people how they can be assured they believe enough. My answer is, "You will never believe enough". What really matters, is whether or not you are striving to believe more than you do already. This is a form of self chastening. Never conclude that you have done enough, or that you are doing enough.
If you are striving to grow and draw nearer to God, then you are pleasing Him in the greatest way possible.
Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Related passages:
Deuteronomy 8:5
Regeneration And Conversion: God's Power And Authority
We are delivered from the power and authority of darkness by the Father, being translated into the power and authority of Christ, at regeneration. (Colossians 1:13)
After regeneration, we ought to FREELY submit ourselves to that power and authority, into which we have been translated (Hebrews 12:9, Romans 6:16), for it is our reasonable service.
After regeneration, we ought to FREELY submit ourselves to that power and authority, into which we have been translated (Hebrews 12:9, Romans 6:16), for it is our reasonable service.
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Paul is describing a particular group of people, set apart from another group. Looking forward to verse 8, we find that there is also a group of people described as bastards, which are excluded from the chastening of the Lord.
The Lord scourges all those He receives. The Lord receives these people by adoption (Ephesians 1:5) at the time of regeneration, when they are translated into His dominion and authority (Colossians 1:13), from the power of darkness, being delivered to Him by the Father (Colossians 1:12, John 6:32, 37, 39, 44, 65).
Related passages:
Deuteronomy 8:5
The Lord scourges all those He receives. The Lord receives these people by adoption (Ephesians 1:5) at the time of regeneration, when they are translated into His dominion and authority (Colossians 1:13), from the power of darkness, being delivered to Him by the Father (Colossians 1:12, John 6:32, 37, 39, 44, 65).
Related passages:
Deuteronomy 8:5
Mark 2:22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.
With this parable, Jesus is speaking in reference to the Kingdom of Heaven. The current kingdom, what was left of it (Acts 1:6), would be taken from the nation of Israel and given to spiritual Israel (Luke 13:28). This new kingdom arrived with the ministry of Jesus. The two kingdoms coexisted from the time of Christ until 70 A.D.. This is also known as the time of regeneration referred to in Matthew 19:28.
Related passages:
Hebrews 8:7-9, 13
Related passages:
Hebrews 8:7-9, 13
Mark 2:21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.
With this parable, Jesus is speaking in reference to the Kingdom of Heaven. The current kingdom, what was left of it (Acts 1:6), would be taken from the nation of Israel and given to spiritual Israel (Luke 13:28). This new kingdom arrived with the ministry of Jesus. The two kingdoms coexisted from the time of Christ until 70 A.D.. This is also known as the time of regeneration referred to in Matthew 19:28.
Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
The earth was without form. The earth had no shape. It was not round, square, triangle, jagged, etc… The Hebrew word means empty and nothingness, simply put, nothing was there.
The earth was void. Void means empty space, emptiness, devoid, a gap, a vacuum. In other words it had no volume and did not occupy any space.
Simply put, this passage teaches that at this point the earth did not exist, it had not yet been formed and had no mass.
So when did the earth first appear? That depends on what you consider to be the earth.
Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which [were] under the firmament from the waters which [were] above the firmament: and it was so.
On the second day the earth still did not exist, but the waters from which it was created were in place. God made the firmament, which divided the waters below from the waters above.
Have you ever watched on TV when an astronaut pours out water in a zero gravity environment? The water collects together and forms a sphere. This is what happened to the waters which were below the firmament. This is the first phase of the earth creation.
Genesis 1:9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry [land] appear: and it was so.
On the third day God looked upon the sphere of water and commanded that the waters be gathered together and the land to appear. We now have an earth similiar to that seen from outer space.
Genesis 1:10 And God called the dry [land] Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that [it was] good.
The earth was void. Void means empty space, emptiness, devoid, a gap, a vacuum. In other words it had no volume and did not occupy any space.
Simply put, this passage teaches that at this point the earth did not exist, it had not yet been formed and had no mass.
So when did the earth first appear? That depends on what you consider to be the earth.
Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which [were] under the firmament from the waters which [were] above the firmament: and it was so.
On the second day the earth still did not exist, but the waters from which it was created were in place. God made the firmament, which divided the waters below from the waters above.
Have you ever watched on TV when an astronaut pours out water in a zero gravity environment? The water collects together and forms a sphere. This is what happened to the waters which were below the firmament. This is the first phase of the earth creation.
Genesis 1:9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry [land] appear: and it was so.
On the third day God looked upon the sphere of water and commanded that the waters be gathered together and the land to appear. We now have an earth similiar to that seen from outer space.
Genesis 1:10 And God called the dry [land] Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that [it was] good.
Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
We read, from the the second passage in Genesis 1, that as God moved upon the face of the waters there was nothing but darkness and water all around. Light had not yet been created. Have you ever been in complete total darkness? Have you been deep within a cave with no light? If you have, you can relate to what it must have been like. It is so dark you can’t even tell if you have your eyes open.
And then God spoke four very simple words and light was created. But there is more revealed here if you listen closely to the written words.
After God created light He had to divide it. This means that He had to withdraw it. God’s word was so powerful that when He said “Let there be light”, there was light, nothing but light! His word being so powerful, eliminated all darkness. Darkness no longer existed anywhere. He had to withdraw the light to allow darkness to exist once again. Can you see this word picture in your own mind? How great and wonderful is the glory of God!
And then God spoke four very simple words and light was created. But there is more revealed here if you listen closely to the written words.
After God created light He had to divide it. This means that He had to withdraw it. God’s word was so powerful that when He said “Let there be light”, there was light, nothing but light! His word being so powerful, eliminated all darkness. Darkness no longer existed anywhere. He had to withdraw the light to allow darkness to exist once again. Can you see this word picture in your own mind? How great and wonderful is the glory of God!
1 Chronicles 16:18 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance;
The lot of your inheritance is interpreted “the measure of your inheritance” and more accurately describes the earnest of the inheritance referred to in Ephesians 1.
Related passages:
Ephesians 1:14
Related passages:
Ephesians 1:14
1 Peter 3:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison
This passage is often thought to refer to dead spirits in hell. But that would be a major contridiction to many other teachings.
The context of this passage falls within a teaching by Peter concerning the conscience. It is in regard to suffering for righteousness sake (verse 14), as did Noah while building the ark. Looking ahead to the next passage, we find that this preaching occurred in the days of Noah. Now, if we combine these facts with 2 Peter 2:5, where Noah is described as "a preacher of righteousness", the pieces should begin to come together.
2 Peter 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person], a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
The word “prison” could mean “in watching” or “keeping watch”. Therefore, the "spirits in prison" should be understood as the spirits who watched Noah, as he built the ark, and who presecuted him for doing the works of God. Looking back to verse 17, we can now see how Noah fits into Peters teaching regarding the suffering for well doing.
As the pieces come together, we can see that Christ went and preached to those who persecuted Noah, while they sat by and watched him build the ark. Christ preached to these souls in the same way He preached to many throughout the Old Testament, through a prophet who was moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:21).
The context of this passage falls within a teaching by Peter concerning the conscience. It is in regard to suffering for righteousness sake (verse 14), as did Noah while building the ark. Looking ahead to the next passage, we find that this preaching occurred in the days of Noah. Now, if we combine these facts with 2 Peter 2:5, where Noah is described as "a preacher of righteousness", the pieces should begin to come together.
2 Peter 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person], a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
The word “prison” could mean “in watching” or “keeping watch”. Therefore, the "spirits in prison" should be understood as the spirits who watched Noah, as he built the ark, and who presecuted him for doing the works of God. Looking back to verse 17, we can now see how Noah fits into Peters teaching regarding the suffering for well doing.
As the pieces come together, we can see that Christ went and preached to those who persecuted Noah, while they sat by and watched him build the ark. Christ preached to these souls in the same way He preached to many throughout the Old Testament, through a prophet who was moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:21).
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment
All men must experience the 1st death, but not all men will experience the 2nd death.
The passages, leading up to the passage under study, speaks of the offering that Christ gave once, as a sacrifice for all. Likewise, the passage immediately following continues this same thought. We must give much attention to this context as we determine the meaning of verse 27.
"And as it is appointed unto men once to die" – This death cannot be circumvented. All men will experience this death. Therefore, this can only be referring to the 1st death, the same death which was appointed to all men by the transgression of Adam. On the other hand, the 2nd death (a.k.a. our physical death) which has no power over those who partake of the 1st resurrection, is not appointed to all men. This truth is proven when we consider that Enoch was translated, that he should not see death. Likewise, Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven, never to experience the second death. And finally, we must also consider that millions of God’s children will be called up in like manner on the last day, never to see a physical death.
"but after this the judgment" – The use of "but" means that an opposite is about to be introduced. Whether an opposite opinion, view, or event, it does not matter. It is used to inject an opposition or contrast to the previous statement. So I must ask, what judgment would contrast the 1st death better than the righteousness of one, which came upon all men unto justification of life? The word judgment means separation. This is very interesting. It is referring to the judgement of Matthew 25:32, which began with the coming of Jesus and was fully accomplished in 70 A.D.
It appears that this passage conveys the same idea as Romans 5:18.
Related passages:
Romans 5:18
Matthew 25:32
The passages, leading up to the passage under study, speaks of the offering that Christ gave once, as a sacrifice for all. Likewise, the passage immediately following continues this same thought. We must give much attention to this context as we determine the meaning of verse 27.
"And as it is appointed unto men once to die" – This death cannot be circumvented. All men will experience this death. Therefore, this can only be referring to the 1st death, the same death which was appointed to all men by the transgression of Adam. On the other hand, the 2nd death (a.k.a. our physical death) which has no power over those who partake of the 1st resurrection, is not appointed to all men. This truth is proven when we consider that Enoch was translated, that he should not see death. Likewise, Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven, never to experience the second death. And finally, we must also consider that millions of God’s children will be called up in like manner on the last day, never to see a physical death.
"but after this the judgment" – The use of "but" means that an opposite is about to be introduced. Whether an opposite opinion, view, or event, it does not matter. It is used to inject an opposition or contrast to the previous statement. So I must ask, what judgment would contrast the 1st death better than the righteousness of one, which came upon all men unto justification of life? The word judgment means separation. This is very interesting. It is referring to the judgement of Matthew 25:32, which began with the coming of Jesus and was fully accomplished in 70 A.D.
It appears that this passage conveys the same idea as Romans 5:18.
Related passages:
Romans 5:18
Matthew 25:32
Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Those who continue patiently in doing good while seeking for glory, honour, and immortality, are given eternal life.
This is by way of the earnest (Ephesians 1:14) of the inheritance, which we recieve by faith, and is a current possession. This is not a reference to the full inheritance, given at adoption and reserved for us in immortal heaven.
This is by way of the earnest (Ephesians 1:14) of the inheritance, which we recieve by faith, and is a current possession. This is not a reference to the full inheritance, given at adoption and reserved for us in immortal heaven.
Amos 9:14 And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
This prophecy was fulfilled in 70 A.D.
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Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Compare the surrounding scriptures from Amos with their fulfillments in the New Testament.
Compare Amos 9:8 with Matthew 24:21-22
Compare Amos 9:9 with Matthew 3:12
Compare Amos 9:11 with Mark 11:10
Compare Amos 9:12 with John 10:16 and Matthew 12:21
See also "The significance of 70 A.D."
Compare to...
Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Compare the surrounding scriptures from Amos with their fulfillments in the New Testament.
Compare Amos 9:8 with Matthew 24:21-22
Compare Amos 9:9 with Matthew 3:12
Compare Amos 9:11 with Mark 11:10
Compare Amos 9:12 with John 10:16 and Matthew 12:21
See also "The significance of 70 A.D."
Amos 9:12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.
This prophecy was fulfilled in 70 A.D.
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John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
And with...
Matthew 12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
Compare the surrounding scriptures from Amos with their fulfillments in the New Testament.
Compare Amos 9:8 with Matthew 24:21-22
Compare Amos 9:9 with Matthew 3:12
Compare Amos 9:11 with Mark 11:10
Compare Amos 9:14 with Ephesians 4:8
See also "The significance of 70 A.D."
Compare to...
John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
And with...
Matthew 12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
Compare the surrounding scriptures from Amos with their fulfillments in the New Testament.
Compare Amos 9:8 with Matthew 24:21-22
Compare Amos 9:9 with Matthew 3:12
Compare Amos 9:11 with Mark 11:10
Compare Amos 9:14 with Ephesians 4:8
See also "The significance of 70 A.D."
Amos 9:11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:
This prophecy was fulfilled in 70 A.D.
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Mark 11:10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
Compare the surrounding scriptures from Amos with their fulfillments in the New Testament.
Compare Amos 9:8 with Matthew 24:21-22
Compare Amos 9:9 with Matthew 3:12
Compare Amos 9:12 with John 10:16 and Matthew 12:21
Compare Amos 9:14 with Ephesians 4:8
See also "The significance of 70 A.D."
Compare to...
Mark 11:10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
Compare the surrounding scriptures from Amos with their fulfillments in the New Testament.
Compare Amos 9:8 with Matthew 24:21-22
Compare Amos 9:9 with Matthew 3:12
Compare Amos 9:12 with John 10:16 and Matthew 12:21
Compare Amos 9:14 with Ephesians 4:8
See also "The significance of 70 A.D."
Amos 9:9 For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.
This prophecy was fulfilled in 70 A.D.
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Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Compare the surrounding scriptures from Amos with their fulfillments in the New Testament.
Compare Amos 9:8 with Matthew 24:21-22
Compare Amos 9:11 with Mark 11:10
Compare Amos 9:12 with John 10:16 and Matthew 12:21
Compare Amos 9:14 with Ephesians 4:8
See also "The significance of 70 A.D."
Compare to...
Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Compare the surrounding scriptures from Amos with their fulfillments in the New Testament.
Compare Amos 9:8 with Matthew 24:21-22
Compare Amos 9:11 with Mark 11:10
Compare Amos 9:12 with John 10:16 and Matthew 12:21
Compare Amos 9:14 with Ephesians 4:8
See also "The significance of 70 A.D."
Amos 9:8 Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the LORD.
This prophecy was fulfilled in 70 A.D.
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Matthew 24:21-22 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Compare the surrounding scriptures from Amos with their fulfillments in the New Testament.
Compare Amos 9:9 with Matthew 3:12
Compare Amos 9:11 with Mark 11:10
Compare Amos 9:12 with John 10:16 and Matthew 12:21
Compare Amos 9:14 with Ephesians 4:8
See also "The significance of 70 A.D."
Compare to...
Matthew 24:21-22 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Compare the surrounding scriptures from Amos with their fulfillments in the New Testament.
Compare Amos 9:9 with Matthew 3:12
Compare Amos 9:11 with Mark 11:10
Compare Amos 9:12 with John 10:16 and Matthew 12:21
Compare Amos 9:14 with Ephesians 4:8
See also "The significance of 70 A.D."
Before and From the foundation of the world
There are two phrases that should be given much consideration. Those phrases are “before the foundation of the world” and “from the foundation of the world”. These two phrases greatly defer one from the other, especially when we include the verbs used in conjunction. The “foundation of the world” is a reference to creation and defines an exact point in time. By using these two phrases, the scriptures teach that certain events occurred before, while other events have occurred since, this point in time. From 1 Peter 1:20 and Ephesians 1:4, we are taught that Jesus was foreordained and God hath chosen a people in Him, before the foundation of the world. These two events determined the eternal consequence for every elect of God. The Lamb’s Book of Life, on the other hand, is written from the foundation of the world. Therefore, the recording of names in the Book of Life cannot be related to the events of election, since they occurred in different time periods.
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