We have to be careful here. Jesus’ polemic in much of His preaching and public interchange was against to Jewish religious establishment at that time, in hearing of the general public whom those people rejected as unclean in comparison to themselves.
“They were angry, because they knew He was talking about them in the parable.”
The Saducees and Pharisees were not believers in any sense. They believed in their own system, but myopically, and finally willfully, missed God in the most culpable way possible. “The Lord Whom you ‘seek’ will suddenly come to His Temple!”
We can reflect on our own lives as prompted by these parables, and we can certainly maintain the trappings of religion while loving our lives more than Him. But we can miss the intent of some of Jesus’ teaching if we jump to personal application too quickly, I think.
That said, it is also possible to insulate oneself from conviction through focus on historical context, etc. to the exclusion of the voice of the Spirit. So, great post, carry on…
Hi Kevin I love your insight here. And I'm excited to share some thoughts with you.
You brought up a super interesting point—should we consider the historical context in the Bible? If yes, to what degree? In what situations?
I had this instinct the first time I read these Parables that "weeping and gnashing of teeth" is not hell. But I wasn't sure enough to publish a theory about it. I was first inspired by Derek Prince who held the same belief as I have in this episode. But I still wasn't sure until now.
I remember that line where the Pharisees were angry because Jesus was talking about them. That's the Parable of the Vine Owner(I also included it in my table). That Parable doesn't mention "weeping and gnashing of teeth" so I didn't discuss it here. That parable is clearly talking about the Jews who first killed all the prophets(the slaves the Vine Owner sent) and then killed Jesus, the Son of God (the son of the Vine Owner).
Now, the historical context, which is the part that I'm excited to share my thoughts with you.
I believe you have this experience as I do—the Word of God is not only timeless but also applies to all situations and all people.
For example, many times in the Old Testament, God addresses Israel as she(most often) or he, and in the historical context we all know He was speaking to a nation, but in real life, those verses are incredibly personal, precise, and on spot in every way to many people. I've had multiple experiences that God spoke to me directly through those "she" verses that are supposed to be referring to Israel as the nation.
In the New Testament, it's even more so. Jesus's teaching is timeless and borderless—which means that it applies to everything in life. For example, in the Parable of Talents—in that setting, talent is money, but in our life, it applies to all God-given resources: money, talent(gift), business, preaching, etc. The epitome of this is undoubtedly, the world-famous Matthew 13:12—"For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him." I successfully engaged many hard-core unbelievers who knew the "Matthew Effect" in psychology and finance but had no idea that it originated from Jesus.
With all that being said, I discovered the truth about "the truth"—what is the truth? We all know it's the Word of God. We all know Jesus is the truth. (And these two by no means contradict each other because John pointed out in the opening of his gospel: "the Word is God.")
But how can we distinguish THE TRUTH from truths and facts? My discovery is that THE TRUTH applies to all things at all times.
You sound so tired… I Pray that the Holy Spirit, falls a fresh on you daily to renew you with His power and strength. So…you know the 1 Corinthians 3:15 verse about the saved entering into Heaven “as if” by fire? Well, I’ve read that some have translated the Greek to mean“through, by means of fire.” Thus, If they are going” through by means of fire” then they really have felt the fire. You even said that it’s not in the lake of fire, which is eternal ; but rather in a different place. So maybe “the saved “ have to receive a certain punishment in order to “beat the sin” out of them before they can enter into Heaven. 🤔🙏
I think we're on the same page (unless I misunderstood). Those who have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior won't go to hell. Only those who have refused Jesus will, whether they rejected Him in this life or after death, assuming they never heard the gospel in this life. 'Weeping and gnashing of teeth' isn't the 'hell' as we understand it. Hell is better described as the 'lake of fire,' as mentioned in Revelation. But of course, God holds the ultimate power of interpretation.
"Weeping and gnashing of teeth" is often applied to those who are cast out (i.e., Mt 8:12, Lk 13:28)
In the Bible's last chapter, Rev 22:15 says, "Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." These people don't seem to be in hell, or the Lake of Fire, but rather they're living outside the gates of the city, in shame, barred from blessing and holy fellowship, like the foolish virgins who can't come into the wedding feast.
Most Christians believe these are unbelievers--people who rejected the gospel. But, the text doesn't say that. They could be Laodicean Christians, whose beliefs and lifestyles dishonor the gospel they claim to believe.
As a simple example, when 'believers' disregard God's 3 mandatory appointed times from Leviticus 23 (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles) and substitute non-Biblical (and idolatrous) teachings and traditions (i.e., lent, Easter egg hunts, Santa Claus) in their place, they're endorsing idolatry and 'loving and practicing falsehood.'
We know that in the last days there will be 'the great apostasy,' (2 Thess 2:3) and the vast majority of global Christianity is following variations of these practices--rather than God's Word.
My opinion in this comment won't be popular, and it'll step on the majority of Christians' toes, but before you reject it, ask the Lord whether it's true.
I don't think it's possible to 'lose' your salvation, but I believe a believer can renounce their salvation by willfully continuing in a sinful lifestyle over a period of time.
However, this is an extreme action, only occurring after the patience of God is expended--it's not for every sin we commit during our lifelong sanctification process.
As references for this perspective, there's Heb 6:4-6, 10:26, and 2 Peter 2:20-22.
Humans are not capable of saving themselves at all, whatsoever, only God can, once and for all.
1 of 20+ I can reference
John 6:43-44
[43] Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. [44] No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
My apologies. Devout and knowledgeable scholars differ in their understanding of the relevant passages regarding eternal security, that is what makes it so interesting, I think. But again, thanks for your reply.
Great article. Thanks for the charts. Very helpful.
We have to be careful here. Jesus’ polemic in much of His preaching and public interchange was against to Jewish religious establishment at that time, in hearing of the general public whom those people rejected as unclean in comparison to themselves.
“They were angry, because they knew He was talking about them in the parable.”
The Saducees and Pharisees were not believers in any sense. They believed in their own system, but myopically, and finally willfully, missed God in the most culpable way possible. “The Lord Whom you ‘seek’ will suddenly come to His Temple!”
We can reflect on our own lives as prompted by these parables, and we can certainly maintain the trappings of religion while loving our lives more than Him. But we can miss the intent of some of Jesus’ teaching if we jump to personal application too quickly, I think.
That said, it is also possible to insulate oneself from conviction through focus on historical context, etc. to the exclusion of the voice of the Spirit. So, great post, carry on…
Hi Kevin I love your insight here. And I'm excited to share some thoughts with you.
You brought up a super interesting point—should we consider the historical context in the Bible? If yes, to what degree? In what situations?
I had this instinct the first time I read these Parables that "weeping and gnashing of teeth" is not hell. But I wasn't sure enough to publish a theory about it. I was first inspired by Derek Prince who held the same belief as I have in this episode. But I still wasn't sure until now.
I remember that line where the Pharisees were angry because Jesus was talking about them. That's the Parable of the Vine Owner(I also included it in my table). That Parable doesn't mention "weeping and gnashing of teeth" so I didn't discuss it here. That parable is clearly talking about the Jews who first killed all the prophets(the slaves the Vine Owner sent) and then killed Jesus, the Son of God (the son of the Vine Owner).
Now, the historical context, which is the part that I'm excited to share my thoughts with you.
I believe you have this experience as I do—the Word of God is not only timeless but also applies to all situations and all people.
For example, many times in the Old Testament, God addresses Israel as she(most often) or he, and in the historical context we all know He was speaking to a nation, but in real life, those verses are incredibly personal, precise, and on spot in every way to many people. I've had multiple experiences that God spoke to me directly through those "she" verses that are supposed to be referring to Israel as the nation.
In the New Testament, it's even more so. Jesus's teaching is timeless and borderless—which means that it applies to everything in life. For example, in the Parable of Talents—in that setting, talent is money, but in our life, it applies to all God-given resources: money, talent(gift), business, preaching, etc. The epitome of this is undoubtedly, the world-famous Matthew 13:12—"For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him." I successfully engaged many hard-core unbelievers who knew the "Matthew Effect" in psychology and finance but had no idea that it originated from Jesus.
With all that being said, I discovered the truth about "the truth"—what is the truth? We all know it's the Word of God. We all know Jesus is the truth. (And these two by no means contradict each other because John pointed out in the opening of his gospel: "the Word is God.")
But how can we distinguish THE TRUTH from truths and facts? My discovery is that THE TRUTH applies to all things at all times.
Hope you enjoy reading my long response : )
Thank you for graciously replying. I did enjoy reading.
You sound so tired… I Pray that the Holy Spirit, falls a fresh on you daily to renew you with His power and strength. So…you know the 1 Corinthians 3:15 verse about the saved entering into Heaven “as if” by fire? Well, I’ve read that some have translated the Greek to mean“through, by means of fire.” Thus, If they are going” through by means of fire” then they really have felt the fire. You even said that it’s not in the lake of fire, which is eternal ; but rather in a different place. So maybe “the saved “ have to receive a certain punishment in order to “beat the sin” out of them before they can enter into Heaven. 🤔🙏
Very well done. I hadn’t thought about those point like that but it makes perfect sense.
“Right?” (i didn't realize I spoke so many 'right' in that episode😂
If God saves you, you’re saved. Those that go to Hell were never saved.
I think we're on the same page (unless I misunderstood). Those who have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior won't go to hell. Only those who have refused Jesus will, whether they rejected Him in this life or after death, assuming they never heard the gospel in this life. 'Weeping and gnashing of teeth' isn't the 'hell' as we understand it. Hell is better described as the 'lake of fire,' as mentioned in Revelation. But of course, God holds the ultimate power of interpretation.
"Weeping and gnashing of teeth" is often applied to those who are cast out (i.e., Mt 8:12, Lk 13:28)
In the Bible's last chapter, Rev 22:15 says, "Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." These people don't seem to be in hell, or the Lake of Fire, but rather they're living outside the gates of the city, in shame, barred from blessing and holy fellowship, like the foolish virgins who can't come into the wedding feast.
Most Christians believe these are unbelievers--people who rejected the gospel. But, the text doesn't say that. They could be Laodicean Christians, whose beliefs and lifestyles dishonor the gospel they claim to believe.
As a simple example, when 'believers' disregard God's 3 mandatory appointed times from Leviticus 23 (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles) and substitute non-Biblical (and idolatrous) teachings and traditions (i.e., lent, Easter egg hunts, Santa Claus) in their place, they're endorsing idolatry and 'loving and practicing falsehood.'
We know that in the last days there will be 'the great apostasy,' (2 Thess 2:3) and the vast majority of global Christianity is following variations of these practices--rather than God's Word.
My opinion in this comment won't be popular, and it'll step on the majority of Christians' toes, but before you reject it, ask the Lord whether it's true.
Interesting. Would you affirm this statement? “Anyone who could lose their salvation, would lose their salvation.”
Just curious.
I don't think it's possible to 'lose' your salvation, but I believe a believer can renounce their salvation by willfully continuing in a sinful lifestyle over a period of time.
However, this is an extreme action, only occurring after the patience of God is expended--it's not for every sin we commit during our lifelong sanctification process.
As references for this perspective, there's Heb 6:4-6, 10:26, and 2 Peter 2:20-22.
I have seen cases in which a previously seemingly devout person has responded to an unexpected tragedy or other event by explicitly renouncing faith.
Humans are not capable of saving themselves at all, whatsoever, only God can, once and for all.
1 of 20+ I can reference
John 6:43-44
[43] Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. [44] No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
Jesus will, with certainty, raise them up
Thank you for your reply. It is always interesting to me to hear people’s ideas regarding this sort of thing.
I wouldn't say its my idea, I would say it's what the Bible teaches.
My apologies. Devout and knowledgeable scholars differ in their understanding of the relevant passages regarding eternal security, that is what makes it so interesting, I think. But again, thanks for your reply.