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In my study of Colossians, I noticed a wonderful verse that probably has implication for Calvinist sotierology (study of salvation) as well. Ever read this verse and wonder what it meant exactly? John 6:37 -- "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." Who does the Father give to the Son?? And when will they come to Him?
Col 1:13 -- "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:" Who did God "deliver from darkness?" Believers like Paul ("us"). Believers whom God has justified, that is, given "the righteousness of God" to. We know that God first justifies believers in both Old and New Testaments, right? Then what does He do?
He "translates them into the kingdom of His dear Son." That is, they are reborn by the Holy Spirit with which to enter into the spiritual kingdom of Christ unto sanctification. Now if we bring this to a "finer" point --- we New Testament saints enter right into the kingdom in this life. But for the Old Testament saints, there was no kingdom of Christ yet. And there was only sheol, "Abraham's bosom," afterward.
So do you think that the Old Testament saints will ever be sanctified in their bodies by the Spirit unto Christ? "Translated" into that kingdom of the indwelt in Christ?? In their resurrection into the Millennial Kingdom of Christ ("resurrection of the just"), both the OT saints and those incompetent/innocent in the first life will "come to Him and them that come to Him (particularly infants, insane in the first life] He will in no wise cast out."
Do you see who God has "given" to the Son? Do you see how we come (by the Spirit) and when we come (when they are indwelt)? It sure gives me reassurance to see that we can know who it is that God gives to "His dear Son." Doesn't it you?
skypair
In my study of Colossians, I noticed a wonderful verse that probably has implication for Calvinist sotierology (study of salvation) as well. Ever read this verse and wonder what it meant exactly? John 6:37 -- "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." Who does the Father give to the Son?? And when will they come to Him?
Col 1:13 -- "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:" Who did God "deliver from darkness?" Believers like Paul ("us"). Believers whom God has justified, that is, given "the righteousness of God" to. We know that God first justifies believers in both Old and New Testaments, right? Then what does He do?
He "translates them into the kingdom of His dear Son." That is, they are reborn by the Holy Spirit with which to enter into the spiritual kingdom of Christ unto sanctification. Now if we bring this to a "finer" point --- we New Testament saints enter right into the kingdom in this life. But for the Old Testament saints, there was no kingdom of Christ yet. And there was only sheol, "Abraham's bosom," afterward.
So do you think that the Old Testament saints will ever be sanctified in their bodies by the Spirit unto Christ? "Translated" into that kingdom of the indwelt in Christ?? In their resurrection into the Millennial Kingdom of Christ ("resurrection of the just"), both the OT saints and those incompetent/innocent in the first life will "come to Him and them that come to Him (particularly infants, insane in the first life] He will in no wise cast out."
Do you see who God has "given" to the Son? Do you see how we come (by the Spirit) and when we come (when they are indwelt)? It sure gives me reassurance to see that we can know who it is that God gives to "His dear Son." Doesn't it you?
skypair