Kingdom Exclusion

Well, we agree on this statement, but it doesn't answer the question of "What is the hope of a Christian?" What are you hoping for, since it's not your spiritual salvation.

 

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

So, you're looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing.

Still doesn't answer what you're hoping for.

Are you hoping that you're saved?

 

HoG,

I am not sure what you are digging for, or what you may be insuating here, but my wife has told you she is saved, as has DidW.

Yet, you keep questioning their salvation by asking if they hope they are saved.

Just what is your agenda?

 

Lacy,

Christ is our hope. Paul said this in 1 Timothy 1:1. Now Paul said this even though he was saved and already given the assurance of eternal life in Christ. Yet, Paul said Christ is our hope.

That hope, as my wife put it is Christ at His appearing. Not that we are unsaved as was certainly implied, but that Christ's return certainly should be that which every born again man, wonan and chlid should look to.

 

Quite the opposite. I assume they are saved, and if so, I know there's nothing that they can ever do to lose that. However, they seemed to imply that was what their hope was.

So, do you hope that he will return?

 

snip snip sinip

 

I know He will return. He has promised this in His Word. That is the Blessed Hope. John, on the Isle of Patmos also saw Christ's Return as the Blessed Hope. This is why he stated just before closing his writing, 'Even so, come, Lord :jesus: ."

 

So...what exactly is this "outer darkness" if the Kingdom is here on New Earth?

 

The problem is, the word hope is being looked at with 21st century eyes. It is being viewed in the light of what our dictionaries of modern times describe it as. That is, something unsure, i.e. 'I hope Uncle Fred gets to come to the family reunion', or 'I hope the boss will give me a good bonus in my Christmas package this year.'

The hope in the Word of God is not thus. In Hebrews 6:19, it is called 'an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast.' The Hope we have is a surety. A realization. The Christian does not, or should not, have any doubts whatsoever about the promises written in the precious pages we call the Word of God.

 

Here is a promise.

James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

If you believe this is an unconditional promise made to every Christian, then you must believe that all Christians love the Lord. Well, what does the bible say?

John 14:21-24
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

According to Jesus, if we do not keep His commandments, we do not love Him. If the kingdom is promised to them that love Him, then the kingdom is promised to them that keep His commandments. Keeping His commandments is not how we are saved, is it?

 

I asked this on the bottom of page 13 and just wanted to make sure it doesn't get overlooked...

 

I believe outer darkness is hell. Jesus says those who are unfaithful will receive their portion with the unbeliever. Others believe outer darkness is some place outside the kingdom, but not hell. I haven't seen any scripture that supports that idea.

 

Lazarus was able to "see" Abraham in Heaven. Is the Kingdom not Heaven? Was Lazarus (who was tormented) in the Kingdom?

Another thing that doesn't sit right is the "inherit" argument. I can "inherit" a 100 unit apartment building, while my brother does not, but my brother can still live within the apartment building (along with 99 others). Doess the fact that he / they did not "inherit" the apartment keep them out of it?

Gal 4:7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

 

Now you are switching what "inheritance" is. If we are "in Christ", we are sons of God...joint heirs in Christ. We WILL inherit the Kingdom.