December 4 - The Kingdom of Heaven - Protestant Caucus/Devotional

Gracetoyou.org ^ | 2008 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

“‘To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven’” (Matthew 13:11).

In the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:10) we see two aspects of the kingdom of heaven. “On earth” refers to the present kingdom, mediated through God’s servants, and “in heaven” refers to God’s universal, direct reign.

Through the centuries the present kingdom has attracted both true and false citizens. Only God can infallibly distinguish true citizens (the redeemed) from false ones. Jesus shows that many branches that seem to belong to the vine actually do not. The spurious ones will be pruned away and thrown into the fire (John 15:2, 6). Such people only superficially identify with Christ but are never really citizens of the kingdom of heaven or part of the body of Christ. They appear to be true citizens only from an imperfect human perspective.

Paradoxically, Scripture uses terms such as Israel, God’s people, and disciples that can include both nominal and genuine believers. Paul does make it clear, however, that “he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart” (Rom. 2:29; cf. 9:6–7). Only at the very end of the age, when the eternal kingdom begins, will those who are true citizens of God’s kingdom be clear to everyone. (Even during the Millennium, when Christ directly rules on earth, there will be disloyal citizens; cf. Rev. 20:7–8.)

The only way now to ensure your kingdom citizenship is to repent, trust in Jesus Christ, and pursue the sanctification that new life in Him brings (cf. Mark 1:15).

Ask Yourself

What should churches do to discern and encourage those who are Christians in name only to put their faith in Christ wholeheartedly? Why do we tend to avoid dealing in touchy matters like these? And what is the result of our reticence?

From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.

[MHGinTN]

See post #111

[aMorePerfectUnion]

I refer to understanding Scriptures in original languages, context, historical setting, word usage, etc.

My offer stands.

[Philsworld]

👍

[Philsworld]

👍

[Elsie]

Since I will NEVER understand the original languages; I guess you many claim victory without opposition from me.

[MHGinTN]

This is not a contest, Elsie. We are concerned for your eternity. Some of your exhibited beliefs are shared by cults, like the issue of soul sleep. You might want to give the following link a read ...

[Elsie]

Just what I need!

A Trump/Fuentes moment!

[MHGinTN]

The link: https://freerepublic.com/focus/religion/4114023/posts?page=491#491

[Elsie]

We are concerned for your eternity.

I know you guys are.

[Elsie]

Some of your exhibited beliefs are shared by cults...

I would hope that ALL of them are, at some point in their doctrine.

After all - the blind squirrel thing.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

You do not need to understand the original languages nowadays.

The tools/resources make them accessible to everyone who will use them.

As for victories, there is only His.

[Elsie]

..., like the issue of soul sleep

I wonder where I got THAT from?

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Psalm 13:3
Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,

 

Psalm 90:5
Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death— they are like the new grass of the morning:

 

Daniel 12:2
Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
 
 
John 11:12-13
His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.”
Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

 

1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Listen, I tell you a mystery:

We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.

For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

 

Ephesians 5:14
This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

 

 
1 Thessalonians 4:13
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
 

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Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.”

HMMMmmm...

[Elsie]

Golly, I’m using translations from the OLs to English.

What am I missing?

[aMorePerfectUnion]

—>> What am I missing?

A tremendous amount.

[MHGinTN]

From the link you likely did not read:

2. SOUL SLEEP

SDAsELSIE denies deny that believers on death go to heaven. They Elsie say that believers go to soul sleep in the grave until Christ’s return. JW’s, Christadelphians and other false groups believe this error.

The main verses disproving the soul sleep error are:

1. Philippians 1:23 — “I am in a straight betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and TO BE WITH CHRIST; which is far better.”

2. 2 Corinthians 5:8 — “To be absent from the body (death), and to be PRESENT WITH THE LORD.” (in heaven)

3. Hebrews 12:1 — “We are surrounded by so great a cloud of WITNESSES”. (The departed believers discussed in Hebrews 11)

4. Hebrews 12:23-24 — “The heavenly Jerusalem ... the church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven and to the SPIRITS of just men made perfect”.

5. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 — “Them also which sleep in Jesus will God BRING WITH HIM”. This means that when Christ returns to resurrect believers bodies at the second coming, He brings our spirits and souls with Him from heaven

6. Revelation 6:9-10 — “I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God ... they cried with a loud voice saying...”

7. Isaiah 14:9-10 — “Hell from beneath ... stirs up the dead for thee. All they shall speak and say to thee.”

8. Ezekiel 32:21 — “The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell ...”

9. Ezekiel 32:30-31 — “The Zidonians which are gone down with the slain ... Pharaoh shall see them and shall be comforted, even Pharaoh and all his army slain by the sword.”

10. Luke 16:19-31 — the rich man and Lazarus who had died spoke to each other.

These 9 scriptures show soul sleep of SDAs and our friend Elsie to be false.

[Elsie]

from where?

[Elsie]

Your ‘9’ against the 7 that I posted.

I guess you win.

BTW... just WHO are the DEAD IN CHRIST?

And where are they located right now?

This RAPTURE thing; just HOW is that going to work?

[Elsie]

About your two MAIN verses...

1. Philippians 1:23 — “I am in a straight betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and TO BE WITH CHRIST; which is far better.”

2. 2 Corinthians 5:8 — “To be absent from the body (death), and to be PRESENT WITH THE LORD.” (in heaven)

Is THIS what you are trying to say?? ---> ‘to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord’

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Sorry; but IS TO BE is not found among any of the following translations...

 

2 Corinthians 5:8

 

Verse  (Click for Chapter)

New International Version
We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

New Living Translation
Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.

English Standard Version
Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Berean Study Bible
We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Berean Literal Bible
Now we are confident and are pleased rather to be absent out of the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

New American Standard Bible
we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

New King James Version
We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

King James Bible
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Christian Standard Bible
In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Contemporary English Version
We should be cheerful, because we would rather leave these bodies and be at home with the Lord.

Good News Translation
We are full of courage and would much prefer to leave our home in the body and be at home with the Lord.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.

International Standard Version
We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from this body and to live with the Lord.

NET Bible
Thus we are full of courage and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

New Heart English Bible
We are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Because of this we trust and we long to depart from the body and to be with Our Lord.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We are confident and prefer to live away from this body and to live with the Lord.

New American Standard 1977
we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

Jubilee Bible 2000
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

King James 2000 Bible
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

American King James Version
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

American Standard Version
we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But we are confident, and have a good will to be absent rather from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Darby Bible Translation
we are confident, I say, and pleased rather to be absent from the body and present with the Lord.

English Revised Version
we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

Webster's Bible Translation
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Weymouth New Testament
So we have a cheerful confidence, and we anticipate with greater delight being banished from the body and going home to the Lord.

World English Bible
We are courageous, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

Young's Literal Translation
we have courage, and are well pleased rather to be away from the home of the body, and to be at home with the Lord.

 

[Elsie]

Don't feel too badly, 'cause even other folks seem to be misinformed as well:

To Be Absent from the Body Is to Be Present with the Lord Meaning (KJV)

May 3, 2021 by Editor in Chief

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV)

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See what selective "quoting" gets ya?

 

Conclusion

Paul’s life is an inspiration for any Christian. He lived in the expectation of the moment when he would be “absent from the body,” knowing that when that happened, he would be “present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV). Everything he did was permeated by this conviction and by his love for the Lord and His Church.

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https://connectusfund.org/to-be-absent-from-the-body-is-to-be-present-with-the-lord-meaning-kjv

[Elsie]

Luke 18:13-14

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

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(I'm going to be standing next to this guy when the BoL is opened to see if my name is there.)