John of Japan,The rich man was probably knew Jesus is the Lord, because he heard rumors from spreading over Israel, on Jesus for doing miracles, and wonderful teachings. Also, Jesus knew that man is rich. When the rich man asked question to him, what to do to have eternal life. Christ could have told him, "Believe on me, you may have eternal life." But, Christ told him, if he wants eternal life, keep his commandments. That what Christ said. So, the rich man told him, he did these things in his youth, but what miss thing, that he needs? He told him, to give everything what he have possession, give to poor and come to follow Christ. Christ knew that rich man's heart was harden, because he doesn't want to lose his own things. Christ said, hard for rich people to enter the kingdom of heaven, because of pride and prosperity. Poor people easily enter into the kingdom of heaven, because of humble. This passage is not talking about works. Christ's point was about faith. Look at the example of Abraham. He was very wealthy man in the land of Ur. He have lot of things that he possessed them. One day, God told him that, he will give him a great name and multiply blessing to him, also called him to left home, and to follow Him, where he goes. Abraham was rich man, but he follow God, because he have faith in God. Do you consider that Matt. 19:16-26, is not apply to us, correct? If so, tell me why this passage is not apply to us? How about Lukr 9:23-26? Does this passage apply to us? I truly believe this passage is clear apply to us. This passage apply to all individuals either Jew or Gentile. Christ tells us, if we want to come and to follow him, then deny our life, take up the cross come to follow Christ, shall have eternal life. If anyone do not take up cross and follow Christ, shall be ashamed of Christ and angels at the Judgment Day. That mean, anyone who deny Christ, then Christ shall deny person, send away to everlasting fire. In 2 Tim. 2:12 says, "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us." This passage clear speak to us as Christians. If we suffering in our life for Christ's sake, we shall reign with Christ(pictured as eternal life- Rev. 20:4-6), if we deny Christ, then, Christ would deny us at the Judgment Day. Deny means reject or disown. What would happen to Christian who deny Christ at the Judgment Day? How about Matt. 25:26-30? Does passage of Matt. 25:14-30 of three servants with their talents apply to us? If so, Christ will saying to an evil servant who hide talent, "You wicked and lazy servant", cast him away into the outer darkness, is clear speak of everlasting punishment in hell. There are so much overwhelmed conditionals throughout from Genesis to Revelation everywhere. "Believe", "Faith", "Call", "Obey", etc. all of these are conditional, that our responsible to reply back to God's calling. Jesus telling, many were called, but few chosen. At the beginning, many were called, then afterward, most of them quit and back to world again, few remain and are truly chosen at the end. Where the "many" going? Obvious, many are on the way to hell, because of not willing to follow Christ. That why, Matt. 7:13-14 telling us, most are on wide road than who entering narrow road. Because, many choose easy life, and being deceived by many false religions. Only few enter into the narrow raod, because they willing to face difficult way by obey and follow Christ all the way to the end. Sadly, most are end up on wide road which lead to hell. Clear, this is conditional. Later I will make more posts on passages on conditional with verses. In ChristRev. 22:20 -Amen!
