Abraham, faith,
obedience, and the challenge to sacrifice ones children are a focus, today.
Also there is more on where eternal life will be lived. A “Yahoo! Answers”
writer using the ID “ryan” (Level 1 with 160 points, December 29, 2012) posted
the following:
If god tells me to kill my kids, should
I?
In religion, you believe without reason/evidence.
So, you follow rules for no reason. So, would you kill your kids if the
invisible man told you too. In a religion based on faith alone, should you
follow any crazy thought you have?
THE BATTLE AXE: The Place
for Eternal Life? (01/06/2013)—There is no place where Satan will rule eternally. Hell (the depository where those having completed
mortality remain until divine judgment) and the lake of fire (a divine tool to
terminate the existence of created beings and living creatures) pertain to
death, and not to eternal life. Hell is linked to the first death, and the lake
of fire to the second death. Hell is no eternal place; and there will be no
eternal life in hell. The lake of fire is no eternal place; and those given to
the flames burn until they exist no more, and the fire goes out having used all
its fuel. The righteous from the earth will be taken up into heaven. However,
mankind’s stay in heaven will be of limited duration. Following the Rapture,
where the righteous both dead and living are taken up, those belonging to GOD in
Christ will be prepared, and participate in judgment of the wicked. Upon
completion of the second death, whereby the wicked are eliminated within the
lake of fire, the deeds of all the righteous, who are all now immortal and
incorruptible, will be examined. The distribution of the Promised Land (called
“the Rest”) was through the sacred casting of lots; for the New Jerusalem, the
believers will be rewarded with a portion in the holy city, and upon the new
earth, according to their former works.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For the
promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham,
or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if
they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise
made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is,
there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that
it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the
seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the
faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made
thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God,
who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they
were. (Romans 4: 13-17, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: How To
Have Conviction (11/24/2012); A Text for Our Lives Today? (11/25/2012); Girdle
5: Of Trust (11/20/2011); Binder 12: Commitment To Fulfillment (10/09/2011);
“Subtle” (02/21/2011); Normal? (02/22/2011); Why Ask? (02/23/2011); Meek Abram
(10/17/2010)
Because they themselves lack mature faith and
understanding, every believer in Jesus Christ as redeemer and savior is
frightened and shocked when they first hear an account of Abraham being
challenged to sacrifice his son Isaac. They fail to see, misapply, and overlook
many important truths. Included are: (1) Before being asked to sacrifice his
son, Abraham had more than 50 years of experience in a real relationship with
GOD, therefore there was trust; (2) GOD repeatedly blessed and prospered Abram
to become a wealthy man despite his unstable, nomadic lifestyle, therefore there
was trust; (3) GOD had appeared to Abram in a form that could be known through
flesh, therefore there was trust; (4) Abraham lived for decades with the truth
that his wife would never bare him an heir, and GOD fulfilled his word to the
pair that they would have a son, therefore there was trust; (5) Abraham saw that
what GOD takes away, GOD is able to restore, return and increase, therefore
there was trust; (6) GOD allowed Abraham to rule a household that was the size
of a small town having more than 300 men who could bear arms with their women
and children, therefore there was trust; (7) GOD allowed Abraham to intercede on
behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah, pleading they be spared on condition of their
repentance, and gave Abraham his word, therefore there was trust; and (8)
Abraham believed it is possible for GOD to bestow eternal life upon created
beings and living creatures, and to restore the dead to life in resurrection,
therefore there was trust.
There is far more to be said, correctly
applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, no Christian believer
(especially not those having weak, underdeveloped and untried faith) is asked to
serve beyond their level of preparation and understanding. What cannot be given
freely or shared as an unselfish benefit to others (i.e., an act of perfect
love), has no value to Christ, to his church, or to the Father.) Even so, I
trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your
faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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