Originally posted by James Newman:
DHK, you read a lot into the scripture that I don't see. I would love to study it, but what more is there to study? Perhaps you can show some scriptural examples to support your assertion that there is no christian standing before the throne on the last day?? I see Christ plainly asserting that believers WILL be raised up on the last day. How is there another day a thousand years later than the last day for unbelievers to be raised up on? Why does God tease each of these people who come out of hell with a meaningless searching in the book of life for their name, if there is no chance they will be in there? You are entitled to your opinion, but the judgment seat is going to sort it all out, brother. I just want us both to be able to stand before Him.
John 5:28-29 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the
resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto
the resurrection of damnation.
Acts 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead,
both of the just and unjust.
1 Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1 Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (speaking to believers awaiting the resurrection of the just)
From Revelation 20 it should be evident to you that these 2 resurrections are 1000 years apart from each other--the same time period that the Judgement Seat of Christ and the Great White Throne Judgement are.
Luke 21:36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Remember that a parable is an earthly story meant to teach a heavenly truth. What truth was Jesus trying to get across here?
This is a warning of the importance of watching and praying. Ask yourself: Are you ever worthy? I am not worthy of the grace of God. I am not worthy of God's redemption. I am a sinner guilty of the condemnation of God, deserving of God's wrath, deserving to spend an eternity in Hell. I am not worthy to stand before a holy and righteous God, no matter what I do. Salvation is not by works. Do you believe in a works salvation?? Salvation is all of grace, accepted by faith and faith alone. There is nothing that I can do to merit eternal life. I will never be "accounted worthy," for I am not worthy. I am a sinner--saved by grace. You must look at this passage and see what Jesus was teaching (his already saved) disciples.
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
--Previous to these verses he gives some very practical advice of what to look for before Christ comes--some signs of his coming. Now he says to watch and pray. That is where the emphasis of this verse is. Watch and pray that we enter not into temptation. Watch and pray that we do not get entangled with the affirs of this world. Watch and pray that we do not take our eyes off the Lord; that we remain focused on doing the Lord's work, and putting him first in our lives. It has nothing to do with one's salvation, or the loss of it. It is a simple command to watch and pray. It does not imply that any Christian will not be worthy enough to enter into the Millennial Kingdom. That conclusion is a misapplication of Scripture. You are reading into this Scripture more than what it says.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
And so?? This is a description of faith. What has that got to do with the price of tea in china?
You must be accounted wothy to stand before the Son of man. This is something that a believer is commanded to pray for! If you're not watching and praying, you will not stand before Him... This has nothing to do with losing salvation. Salvation is free by believing on Him, and you get it on the last day at the great white throne.
You need a BIK button (Boy I'm Konfused). I have salvation right now, here on this earth. I know that if I died right now I would go straight to Heaven. I know that of a surety. I know that I have forgiveness of sins--past, present and future. They are all covered by the blood of Christ. I stand, not in my own righteousness, but in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. In that way, I stand perfectly holy before God. I therefore stand worthy to enter into the presence of God, now, and in this world to come. In reality I am not worthy and will never be worthy. Only the blood of Christ has accounted me worthy. Christ has made a propitiation for my sin. He paid the penalty that I don't have to pay. I, a guilty sinner, stand innocent before God, because the penalty of my sin was paid for by Christ. Therefore I will never suffer the penalty of ANY sin committed by me. When I die I will go to heaven. I will come back to this earth with Christ. I will reign with him. I will never stand at the Great White Throne Judgement. I will have already been at the Judgement Seat of Christ. There are two resurrections, and two judgements. I will only be at the first one. Unbelievers will only be at the second one. God is a just God. The GWT is simply a final sentencing for all those whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of Life, which in this case are all those present at the GWT. Prove me wrong if you can. I don't believe you can. I am NOT part of the spiritually dead.
DHK