Featured Jonah and Universal Atonement

We all know we are saved by the grace of God but we will be judged by our works. And the ONLY ones who will be allowed into Heaven are they that keep the commandments of God.

Matthew 19:17
And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Revelation 22:14
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

 

This is a message to the elect.

How do you discern who is and isn't a Christian?

God's Sovereign choice according to His will, not ours.

 

All of those passages describe those lost, who merely professed Christ!

 

The Bible says the devils believe and tremble, and that faith without works is dead, being alone.

 

God didn't send Jonah into the city simply hoping for the best. God sent Jonah into the city to save those He willed to be saved. God can save one....God can save a million...it matters little what the numbers are...what matters is that God fulfills what He has intended. Jonah was just the instrument of that will.

 

Saving faith produces the good works!

 

Would be really pathetic to have God stuck just hoping and wishing that some humans will get saved!

 

Jews were not the only saved in the OT, as Rahab was oine of the elect also!

 

Just saying that God salvation was towards both jews/Gentiles in the Bible...

 

Free will is necessary for salvation.
One can not be saved without freely confessing that Jesus is Lord: Romans 10:9-10.
Some people hear the Gospel and think it is foolishness, and of course they then reject it: 1st Corinthians 1:18

The real question is WHY does someone freely and willfully embrace Jesus as Lord?
When you begin to delve into that, and get your answers from the Word of God, you will see why the atonement is particular.

Again, if you make it about free will, then you have t answer the WHY question.
Start with yourself, WHY did you embrace Jesus as Lord?

 

Yes, I agree we have free will...a stumbling block I think for some though is the fact that Jehovah knows who will and will and will not be saved....he gives free will to all but he knows who will and who will not believe. Jehovah is All-Mighty...he knows all. Some fail to understand the awesome power of Jehovah All-Mighty.

 

42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I came forth and am come from God; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me.
43 Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word.
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
45 But because I say the truth, ye believe me not.
46 Which of you convicteth me of sin? If I say truth, why do ye not believe me?
47 He that is of God heareth the words of God: for this cause ye hear them not, because ye are not of God. Jn 8

24 The Jews therefore came round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou hold us in suspense? If thou art the Christ, tell us plainly.
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believe not: the works that I do in my Father`s name, these bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep. Jn 10

33 Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how shall ye escape the judgment of hell? Mt 23

 

God did save the city completely. There really was no 'wanting' about it.

Sure it can.

Romans 9 says otherwise about all the Jews being elect.

The non-elect are not saved...that's what makes them non-elect.

Chris