How To Properly Discern Apocalyptic
Visions and Dreams (Pt. 2)
A Special Rock of Offence Commentary
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This is Part 2 of a two-part Bible study.
Click on the link below to go back to
the previous section.
Part 1
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Abraham Adresses Unrighteous Judgment in
His Famous Dialogue with God Before the
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
A spiritual principle regarding God's treatment of the righteous is found in Genesis 18:22-33. It represents a refusal to send judgment, while the righteous dwells among the wicked (unrighteous). Sodom and Gomorrah were exceedingly wicked cities in God's sight. In this story, two angels visited Abraham before traveling to these cities for the purpose of executing God's judgment. Lot, Abraham's nephew, dwelled in the city of Sodom and was considered to be a righteous man (2 Peter 2:4-9). Since Abraham is informed by the angels that Sodom will be destroyed, he immediately begins to intercede with the Lord on behalf of Lot and the other righteous people living in the city. The following excerpt describes this dialogue.
Then the men (angels in disguise) turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. [V23] And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? [V24] Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it?
(Remember that Abraham is speaking directly to God)
[V25] FAR BE IT FROM YOU TO DO SUCH A THING AS
THIS, TO SLAY THE RIGHTEOUS WITH THE WICKED,
SO THAT THE RIGHTEOUS SHOULD BE AS THE WICKED;
FAR BE IT FROM YOU! SHALL NOT THE JUDGE OF
ALL THE EARTH DO RIGHT?
Abraham continues interceding by aksing God to spare Sodom for the sake of 40, then 30, then....
[Verse 31] And he (Abraham) said, “Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?”
So He (God) said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.”
[Verse 32] Then he (Abraham) said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?”
And He (God) said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” [Verse 33] So the Lord went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place. (Genesis 18:22-33)
The story reaches a climax when the angels arrive at Sodom - find righteous Lot and forcibly removes him to a place of safety outside the city as sudden destruction falls from heaven. Thousands of years later, Jesus uses Noah and Lot as examples of the way events will transpire in the last days before His return.
"And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;
BUT ON THE DAY THAT LOT WENT OUT OF SODOM
IT RAINED FIRE AND BRIMSTONE FROM HEAVEN
AND DESTROYED THEM ALL.
Even so will it be in the day when the
Son of Man is revealed." (Luke 17:26-30)
Notice that Noah and Lot, considered by God to be righteous men are relocated to a place of safety BEFORE JUDGMENT FALLS. Why? When God declares an individual (or an entire group - as with the New Testament church) to be righteous, it means that they are exempt from any judgment for sin. This is why it is a contradiction and an act of injustice to place righteous people under judgment for sin. As a result, when God sends judgment, He is obligated by His Divine nature of being a "just judge" (or as Abraham said it; a judge who does right) to remove the righteous from the place that is under judgment.
Jesus spoke these words in reference to the
judgment that falls on the inhabitants of
the earth in the last days.
"For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be." (Mark 13:19)
"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, AND THAT DAY COME UPON YOU UNEXPECTEDLY. FOR IT WILL COME AS A SNARE ON ALL THOSE WHO DWELL ON THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH. Watch therefore, and pray always THAT YOU MAY BE COUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE ALL THESE THINGS THAT WILL COME TO PASS, and to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:25-36 -- Emphasis Added)
Notice that the end-time judgment Jesus warns about does not fall on an individual city or country, BUT ON THE WHOLE EARTH. If God follows His Divine nature as a "just judge", then He must, as with Noah and Lot, move the righteous to a place of safety. Contrary to the critics, this is not a situation where God leaves the righteous in the place where they dwell - and then somehow protects them as judgment falls. Noah and his family WERE MOVED to the safety of the ark that later FLOATED ABOVE THE EARTH as the global flood destroyed all life on the surface. They were not protected while remaining on earth. They were protected by being moved into the ark. Lot WAS RELOCATED to a place of safety outside the city, when judgment fell on Sodom. Lot was not somehow "protected" in the city while it was being destroyed around him. HE WAS ESCORTED OUT OF THE CITY BY ANGELS. In the Old Testament, Lot is a "type and shadow" of the rescue God provides for the Church (known as the righteous after the cross) before His judgment falls during the tribulation that Jesus warns about in the New Testament.
How Replacement Theology Influences
Visions and Dreams
A popular church doctrine, where God leaves the righteous and the wicked dwelling together during judgment, but supernaturally protects the righteous - violates the principles taught in the Bible. It's tied to a popular belief that God has replaced Israel (because of their sin of crucifying their Messiah) - with the New Testament Church. It is generally known as "Replacement Theology". Its supporters believe and teach that God now transfers Israel's original calling as stewards of the Mosaic Law and all her Old Testament blessings - TO THE CHURCH (OR BODY OF CHRIST) - and considers Israel as permanently rejected by God. According to both the prophet Daniel and Saint Paul, the tribulation period (referred to as "Jacob's trouble") is used by God to bring Israel back into His salvation. In his letter to the Romans, Paul writes;
"I say then, hath God cast away his people (The Jews)? GOD FORBID. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. GOD HATH NOT CAST AWAY HIS PEOPLE WHICH HE FOREKNEW." (Romans 11:1-2 - Emphasis Added)
“For I do not desire, brethren, that you (Christian believers living today) should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. AND SO ALL ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED….” (Romans 11:25-26 - Emphasis Added)
It is here that Paul exposes the misguided idea that God replaces Israel with the Church and then permanently "casts Israel away". As a result, the popular teaching, where the Church must now go through the tribulation period IN ISRAEL'S PLACE - is shown to be false. We must remember that the entire tribulation is seven years of God's judgment on a Christ-rejecting world. Bringing everything into perspective, this erroneous doctrine insists that the Church - made permanently righteous by the sacrifice of Christ - must, once again endure God's judgment for sin. However, according to the New Testament this theology represents a direct attack on the blood-bought redemption of Jesus Christ, which permanently takes all of the Church's sin away; past, present and future. The phrase "permanently takes all sin away" is used because the Bible calls Christ's salvation "eternal redemption" in Hebrews 9:12-17. If our redemption is eternal, it is also permanent - meaning it has no end once it is received. It's a characteristic of being "sealed with the Holy Spirit", which is discussed in more detail later in this study.
The Amplified Bible gives a clearer description of this truth:
"FOR GOD'S GIFTS AND HIS CALL ARE IRREVOCABLE. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]" (Romans 11:29 Amplified Bible)
Note: After the cross, eternal life
is given as "the gift of God".
(Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 6:23)
Why are we discussing these divisive issues?
Some Bible scholars condemn this mainstream Christian
doctrine known as "Replacement theology" as a demonic
teaching, even though it continues to be taught on
both the Roman Catholic and Protestant sides of the
institutional church. As a result of its dominant and
widespread influence, many visions and dreams are
based on its message, which essentially denies the
finish work of Jesus Christ at the cross. This stealth
assault on Christ's salvation, which masquerades as a
fundamental Bible teaching - is the reason we agree
that the label of "demonic" is justified. Saint Paul
calls such religious teachings "doctrines of demons"
because it essentially misaaplies and rewrites
the Word of God. (1 Timothy 4:1-3)
The words of Jesus cause us to ask an important question. Since the whole world will be under God's judgment during the tribulation of the last days, where and how does God relocate the righteous? In his prophecy about the coming tribulation, the Old Testament prophet Micah mentions a unique supernatural event;
THE GODLY HAVE BEEN SWEPT FROM THE LAND; NO ONE UPRIGHT MAN REMAINS. All men lie in wait to shed blood; each hunts his brother with a net. Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire--they all conspire together. The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. THE DAY OF YOUR WATCHMEN HAS COME, THE DAY GOD VISITS YOU. NOW IS THE TIME OF YOUR CONFUSION. (Micah 7:2-4 -- Emphasis Added)
Notice that the Godly (or righteous) are swept from the land FIRST; and the wickedness Micah describes, which is part of the tribulation judgment - begins afterwards. To date, this event has not happened.
The book of Psalms also carries the same message;
"Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases to be, For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men." (Psalms 12:1)
As with Noah and Lot;
A GREAT ESCAPE IS PROVIDED FOR THE
RIGHTEOUS BEFORE GOD'S JUDGMENT OF
THE CHRIST-REJECTING WORLD TAKES
PLACE DURING THE SOON-TO-OCCUR
TRIBULATION.
Micah called it "a sweeping of the Godly from the land"
(Micah 7:2-4)
Psalms called it "a disappearing of the faithful from among men"
(Psalms 12:1)
Jesus called it "an escape" for the worthy ones
(Luke 21:25-36)
Jesus describes it as; "one taken but the other left"
(Luke 17:31-36)
Saint Paul calls it "caught up to meet the Lord in the air"
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
Saint Paul also calls it "our gathering together unto Jesus"
(2 Thessalonians 2:1-3)
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: THEN WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS, TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR: AND SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 - Emphasis Added)
What Does This Have To Do with Discerning the
Validity of End-Time Visions and Dreams?
If a vision or dream claims that believers
must, once again endure God's judgment for
sin, which was previously paid for by Christ
at the cross - then that vision or dream is
denying the redemption of Christ and, as a
result does not come from the Lord. This is
true regardless of the good intentions or
ecclesiastical title of its recipient.
God's Impending Judgment
on America
Many are beginning to realize that America is in deep spiritual trouble. In just about every area, Americans have rejected the God of Heaven. The recent Supreme Court's ruling that redefined marriage (an institution created by God) is, according to history, the last wicked act a society commits before God sends destructive judgment. It literally represents "slapping God in the face". Yet, when we hear church leaders explain their solution to this situation, another troubling situation emerges. With few exceptions, the following Scripture is cited as God's solution to America's problems:
"...if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Various Christian leaders insist that God will restore America if His people (the Christians) humble themselves, seek His face and turn (repent) from their sinful ways as taught by 2 Chronicles 7:14. However, this Scripture represents an Old Testament promise given to the Israelites, also known as "God's covenant people", long before Jesus died on the cross. The land of Israel, which God gave to the Jewish people as a possession through an everlasting covenant with Abraham - was part of this Old Testament program. When God says, "If My people..."; He is not speaking to American Christians living after the cross. "God's people" living before the cross in the Old Testament always applied to the Israelites as descendents of Abraham. After the cross those who are saved through faith in Jesus Christ are called "God's sons".
"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION AS SONS." (Galatians 4:4-5 NKJV--Emphasis Added)
"He came unto his own, and his own received him not. BUT AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, TO THEM GAVE HE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, EVEN TO THEM THAT BELIEVE ON HIS NAME: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:11-13 - Emphasis Added)
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, THAT WE SHOULD BE CALLED THE SONS OF GOD: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, NOW ARE WE THE SONS OF GOD, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:1-2)
"For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit THAT WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits FOR THE REVEALING OF THE SONS OF GOD." (Romans 8:15-19 -- Emphasis Added)
"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, IN BRINGING MANY SONS TO GLORY, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:9-10 - Emphsis Added)
The Old Testament program of the Law that governed Israel treats individuals as “subjects of God's Kingdom”. Another Biblical term used to describe this same position is, "the people of God". If you want to meet with the King, you submit your request and wait to be summoned. If the King refuses, you'll never receive the summons. He's the King and you're his loyal subject and someone considered inferior to the King. You never barge into the King's presence uninvited.
But, all of this changed after the cross.
In Christ, you are not treated as a subject or “regular people” living under the King. YOU ARE A SON OF THE KING AND A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY. Since you are identified as being "in Christ", the King (God) now treats you in the same way He treats His Son, Jesus Christ. As a result, you don't have to wait to be summoned. As the King's son you can enter the throne room anytime - uninvited. Actually, as the King's son, you're always invited. As His son you can come before the King at any time and ask whatever you want. The King never rejects his son Jesus - AND YOU ARE "IN HIM". This is why Saint Paul made the following statement;
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)
The Israelites as "God's people" and Christian believers known as "God's sons" represent two different groups living under different Biblical covenants, governed by different sets of rules (or laws) - as revealed through the words of Saint Paul.
"FOR THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS HAS MADE ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH. FOR WHAT THE LAW COULD NOT DO IN THAT IT WAS WEAK THROUGH THE FLESH, GOD DID BY SENDING HIS OWN SON in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, THAT THE RIGHTEOUS REQUIREMENT OF THE LAW MIGHT BE FULFILLED IN US (OR IMPUTED TO US) who do not walk according to the flesh (or trying to qualify/earn salvation through works or religious merit) but according to the Spirit (or our faith in the finished work of Christ that does not require our works)." (Romans 8:2-4 – Emphasis and Comments Added)
"But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He (Jesus) is also MEDIATOR OF A BETTER COVENANT, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED ON BETTER PROMISES. For if that FIRST COVENANT had been faultless, then no place would have been sought FOR A SECOND." (Hebrews 8:6-7)
"IN THAT HE (JESUS CHRIST) SAYS, "A NEW COVENANT," HE HAS MADE THE FIRST OBSOLETE. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away." (Hebrews 8:13)
God's people (the Israelites) lived under old covenant Law (before the cross). But, "God's sons" (all believers in Christ) live under the New Covenant (after the cross). Contrary to popular Christian teaching, the land of America was not given to Christians through a Divine covenant provision. BUT, THE LAND OF ISRAEL WAS GIVEN THROUGH AN EVERLASTING COVENANT TO THE JEWISH PEOPLE. 2 Chronicles 7:14 is a specific promise directed at the Israelites, living under Old Testament Law concerning the healing of their Divinely given covenant land.
THE PROMISE IS NOT DIRECTED AT
AMERICAN CHRISTIANS LIVING
UNDER THE NEW COVENANT.
This does not mean modern-day Christians can't petition God in prayer to heal America, which is something they should do. But, it violates Scripture to base those prayers on an Old Testament promise that God did not give to American believers living after the cross. God had a covenant obligation to heal the land of Israel if His people (the Israelites) did what He asked. However, it cannot be found anywhere in the Bible that America has this same covenant with God. As a result, the unbiblical practice of "spiritualizing Scripture" is almost always applied to 2 Chronicles 7:14, which makes God appear to say something about America that He does not say. This common practice of "rewriting Scripture" is found in "Replacement Theology" - and is considered "fundamental Bible truth" in a majority of Christian churches and denominations.
Additional information is available
at the following link:
Avoiding the Error of Replacement Theology
We cite this popular misapplication of 2 Chronicles 7:14 as an example of how dangerous misconceptions are created by mixing together the vastly different programs of Old Testament Law and New Testament Grace (or the New Covenant). Yet, the misconceptions are viewed as bedrock Biblical truth by many churches. Insisting that God continues to forgive sin the same way after the cross...as He did before the cross - redefines and makes inconsequential the redemptive program of Jesus Christ and produces what Peter describes as "damnable heresies that deny the Lord". Yet, many parts of the institutional Christian Church views them as "Historic Christianity" and fundamental Bible truth.
Unfortunately, this mixed theology is the
foundation for many end-time apocalyptic
visions and dreams. It frightens and
intimidates believers into thinking that
when Christ was judged at the cross on their
behalf - it was not enough and they must,
once again, endure a severe and painful Old
Testament-style judgment, designed to
provide additional purification for sin
during the soon-to-occur tribulation. The
additional purification is needed because
it is believed that Jesus did not provide
a complete salvation as...
"The Lamb of God that takes away the
sin of the world".
This mindset and its countless variants
taught throughout the world-wide Christian
Church produces what Peter describes as
"teachings that deny the Lord" because they
undermine the New Covenant provisions
of His salvation that now govern
the Church.
The Believer's "Sealing with the Holy Spirit"
is a New Covenant Provision That Was Not
Available Under Old Testament Law
The theology that wrongly mixes together both the Old and New Testament programs also removes and refuses to teach the New Covenant provision, where the believer is "sealed with the Holy Spirit". Various church leaders and their followers leave this benefit out of their message because it contradicts their Old Testament bias. As a result, many apocalyptic visions and dreams also fail to include this spiritual provision that can easily expose many of these supernatural experiences as being false. The following is what Saint Paul had to say:
"In Him (Jesus Christ) you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, YOU WERE SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE, WHO IS THE GUARANTEE OF OUR INHERITANCE UNTIL THE REDEMPTION OF THE PURCHASED POSSESSION (ALL TRUE BELIEVERS), to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14 NKJV) (Also Read About “God’s Guarantee” In 2 Corinthians 1:22 and 2 Corinthians 5:5)
The New Testament word "sealed" can be simply understood as what happens when food is placed in a jar or can for long-term storage. It is sealed to prevent the contents from being lost through bacterial spoilage. As we previously learned, a believer participates in a Divine exchange, where Jesus receives (and bears) all of their sin and judgment - and they receive all of His attributes; especially His holiness, worthiness and righteousness. This exchange happens the moment anyone believes the gospel and places their faith in Christ. The sealing of the Holy Spirit is an event where the Holy Spirit comes to indwell the believer and, at the same time, seals them "Until the redemption of the purchased possession". As Paul points out;
THE "SEALING" IS GOD'S GUARANTEE THAT
THE CONTENTS (SALVATION) WILL NOT BE
LOST UNTIL JESUS RETURNS ON THE DAY
OF OUR REDEMPTION.
On the subject of righteousness ...
The sealing of the Holy Spirit also guarantees "the righteousness of God" that all believers possess as a result of Christ's Divine exchange - remains "sealed" AND IN FORCE despite the corrupting presence of sin, which can always be found in some measure in their life. When the Bible teaches that, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God"; this statement also includes "all believers", regardless of how hard they try to live sinlessly. Yet, as a result of Christ's sacrifice and Divine exchange at the cross, God's imputed righteousness OVERRIDES all our sin from the moment we believe on Christ and are sealed with the Holy Spirit. As a result, God reckons everyone who has placed their faith in Christ - from the least obedient to the most obedient - as possessing His very own perfect righteousness. When 2 Corinthians 5:21 states; "For He made Him who knew no sin TO BE SIN FOR US, THAT WE MIGHT BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM" - it means that true believers possess God's perfect righteousness AND NOT THEIR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS. As a result, He considers everyone in the Church or body of Christ, who has authentic New Covenant faith, as those who possesses His righteousness. God's righteousness continues to remain in force regardless of their failures to live righteously and sinlessly in their own strength and determination.
“Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. BUT TO HIM WHO DOES NOT WORK BUT BELIEVES ON HIM WHO JUSTIFIES THE UNGODLY, HIS FAITH IS ACCOUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man TO WHOM GOD IMPUTES RIGHTEOUSNESS APART FROM WORKS: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; BLESSED IS THE MAN TO WHOM THE LORD SHALL NOT IMPUTE SIN." (Romans 4:4-8)
Conclusion
This Bible study provides the reasons why any apocalyptic vision or dream that claims Christian believers (who possess the imputed "righteousness of God) must endure additional judgment and purification for sin - IS DENYING THE REDEMPTION OF CHRIST AND THEREFORE DOES NOT COME FROM OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
If Jesus appears, in person, to give or host a vision or dream that effectively denies His redemption in such ways, the one claiming to be the Lord is a spiritual imposter; regardless of whether the recipient accepts it or not. The real Jesus Christ will never undermine or minimize His own blood-bought redemption - but the devil in his "Jesus disguise" will. This is why Saint John instructed us to "test the spirits to see if they are of God." (1 John 4:1)
The vision discussed at the beginning of this study is a prime example of the danger. In addition to warning about the various judgments about to fall on America (which may be true), this individual tells the Church (believers in Christ) that 20 to 30 million people will be killed at the beginning - and the death toll will include many of them. There is no mention of the righteous (or worthy ones) being removed before this judgment falls - as both Jesus and Paul teaches. In other words, God is about to do something that violates His nature as a "just judge". He's going to judge and destroy both the righteous and the wicked together. She goes on to instruct Christians to store food and make preparations while there is still time. Once again, when God goes against His Word and brings judgment upon the righteous a second time for sin, we can safely say that the vision does not come from the Lord Jesus Christ because it denies His redemption.
The critics (those with an Old Testament Law bias) are quick to point out that Christians are sinning more today than ever before, which is why God must severely judge and punish them for their disobedience. Yet, this statement reveals their rejection of the New Covenant provision, where a believer is "sealed with the Holy Spirit". We understand there are false believers (Christians in name only) that sin against God and will have to endure a future judgment with the unbelievers. We also understand that some Christians wrongly use God's Grace as a reason to practice a sinful lifestyle. God will deal with these individuals in His own way. Yet, Scripture confirms that all true believers in Christ are "sealed" and continues to possess God's perfect righteousness in spite of their sin and less-than-righteous conduct and behavior. In this situation; God respects His own righteousness BY NOT CHARGING (IMPUTING) SIN TO A BELIEVER WHO IS SEALED IN CHRIST.
IN THIS CASE, GOD'S REFUSAL TO CHARGE
SIN EXEMPTS ALL TRUE BELIEVERS FROM
ANY FUTURE JUDGMENT FOR SIN.
Saint Paul explained it this way;
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW. Now all things are of God, WHO HAS RECONCILED US TO HIMSELF THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself,
NOT IMPUTING THEIR TRESPASSES TO THEM,
and has committed to us the word of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:17-19 -- Emphasis Added)
As a result of this New Covenant benefit,
Paul told the Thessalonian Church;
"For God hath not appointed us to wrath (judgment), but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him." (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)
We cite the vision used as an example in this study because it follows the same pattern found in many end-time visions and dreams that send believers astray in their faith.
We hope you find this study beneficial in your
relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
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This is Part 2 of a two-part Bible study.
Click on the link below to go back to
the previous section.
Part 1
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