(08/22/2017) The Savior of "All"?

Today, focus is on the proper reading of verses in the Bible that can be read as stating all mankind will be saved.  All have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD.  Following the sin of Adam, GOD began to put forth a broad range of divine provisions to extend eternal life and salvation to mankind.  While many of these involved actors, agencies, and endowments that would not be bestowed upon, or have direct contact with every living individual, they nonetheless were to supply a benefit to everyone who would live on the earth.  Included were adoption of the Spirit, anointing, atonement, baptism, election, Incarnation, prophecy, resurrection from the dead, spokespersons (e.g., priests, judges, kings, apostles), and the body of Christ, the church.  At their creation, the operations of GOD established the integrity of created beings and living creatures by not dominating their awareness and self-will.  Among men, the living are allowed to gradually change, grow, and learn by discovery, risk-taking, and trial-and-error.  Therefore, the full process of salvation is collaborative, corrective, interactive, intimate, progressive, and voluntary.  Through Jesus Christ, forgiveness, reconciliation, mercy, rebirth, and repentance are now available to all.  Even so, because of defiance, ignorance and exaggerated pride, many stubbornly continue iniquity, and remain on the path to perdition and the second death.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using ID “Jon Pike” (Level 6 with 13,049 points, a member since May 31, 2016) posted the following:


Does 1 Timothy 4:10 mean all people are saved whether they believe in the Lord or not?

"We struggle and work hard, because we have placed our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all and especially of those who believe." (1 Tim. 4:10)

My question is the meaning of "...Savior of all and especially of those who believe."


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath 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 sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:  for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.  (Romans 8:  1-9, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Convinced/Convicted? (05/16/2017); The Title of “Savior” (01/27/2017); His Children Are Sanctified (10/12/2016); The Bible and Salvation (09/14/2016); An Habitation of GOD (07/24/2016); Be Ye Therefore Perfect (07/22/2016); Adulterating Scripture? (10/06/2015); All Who Read Convert? (10/10/2014); Not Told in Advance? (10/11/2014)


“Jon Pike”, the language of the Bible is best understood when we acknowledge the context and setting for what is written.  What confuses and surprises those who lack sacred knowledge imparted by the Scriptures is that the setting for the terms used within a text is not only the specific verse (line or phrase) and passage (paragraph) where it is found.  The setting also is within the entire group of verses and passages that appear throughout the entire collection of sacred books (i.e., Genesis to Revelation).  The difficulty of the pattern appearing in 1st Timothy for the use of the adjective “all” also appears with the phrases “all men” and “all Israel.”  In some instances “all” will mean everybody or everyone.  In other instances, “all” is to be applied only on condition (i.e., in accordance with previously mentioned events, operations, etc.).  Thus, a remnant and representative portion fulfills the prophecies for all  Israel; and “all” may mean “people from every class, and at all levels” or “all mankind.”  Mature believers trust that they have made the correct application when the balance, consistency, order, and stability in their ongoing sacred knowledge and practice are affirmed, edified, and reinforced.  Consider again the following:

(1.)  1st Timothy 2:  3-5, King James Version (KJV):  3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

(2.)  Mark 1:  35-37, KJV:  35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.  36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.  37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

(3.)  Romans 10:  13-17, KJV:  13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?  17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

(4.)  Mark 13:  12-13 KJV:  12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.  13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake:  but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

(5.)  John 12:  31-32, KJV:  31 Now is the judgment of this world:  now shall the prince of this world be cast out.  32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

(6.)  Romans 5:  17-19, KJV:  17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)  18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.  19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (7.)  2nd Thessalonians 3:  1-3, KJV:  3 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:  2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men:  for all men have not faith.  3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/18/2014) Unclear Scriptures?

Making sense of differences among translations and versions of the Bible is the topic, today.  Also, there is more on greater divine effort to reach nonbelievers.  A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “brad” (Level 1 with 90 points, a member since March 17, 2014) posted the following:


Confusing Bible verse? 

In john 7:24 (NLT) it says: "Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”

In the same verse in the King James Version it says: "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment"
 
I have an NLT and it's mostly great, but what the heck is with this extremely vague passages like this one?
 
It makes no sense..


THE BATTLE AXE:  GOD to “Try Harder”? (03/17/2014)—(5.)  Nothing in all the history, or future of mankind can surpass the accomplishment of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ.  It is not that GOD must change; sinners must undergo change (called repentance) that is only accomplished through operations of GOD.  The truth never changes, however, for created beings and living creatures, acceptance, discernment, obedience, and understanding of truth may change.  GOD is a living entity whose makeup is entirely of spirit matter that cannot be apprehended and known by created beings and living creatures as they rely upon material and physical objects, or repetitive natural processes not having awareness that is focused and shaped to continuously acknowledge spirit substance.  The active presence of GOD is revealed and shown through sacred events and operations carried out using appearances of divinity as an incarnate, sovereign agent (we say, Jesus, the Son of GOD), and a dynamic essence (we say, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth).  As eternal, fixed, and permanent truth, the revelation of GOD is immutable, and will not change.  Saying this another way:  GOD’s will, and GOD’s way are complete, established, and finished.  For the earth, there are yet things proclaimed, promised, and prophesied that have not come to pass, that are now going forward in the continual process of GOD.  Such events as the harvesting of believers from the earth, and the resurrection of the wicked for judgment will certainly take the nonbeliever to “new heights.”  However, those elements go beyond salvation of sinners, and speak to concluding and resolving the full mystery of GOD.  Salvation requires agreement and correspondence of both flesh and spirit, and only results when consciousness and self-will in the living (we say, attention, effort, and willpower) are properly directed to GOD.  Consider again Isaiah 55:  6-13, Romans 10:  2-4, and Acts 16:  25-34, King James Version.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem.  And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?  And he said, Peaceably:  I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD:  sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.  And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.  And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him.  But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him:  for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.  Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.  Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by.  And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.  Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel.  And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.  And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him:  for we will not sit down till he come hither.  And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to.  And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him:  for this is he.  Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren:  and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.  So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.  (1st Samuel 16:  4-13, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Right Place to Get Knowledge (02/17/2014); Arguing Against the Bible in Church? (02/18/2014); Lower-case or Capital? (01/31/2014); Sprinkled, Immersed, Named? (02/01/2014); Why Bother to Read? (10/31/2013); GOD Speaking Through Songs? (11/01/2013); Words Spoken By GOD? (06/05/2013); Teachings on Judgment (06/06/2013); What to Take Literally (03/11/2013); A GOD of War? (03/12/2013)


“brad”, for Christian believers, who have submitted to GOD through baptism (i.e., death of their inborn spirit nature, and rebirth having divine DNA), learning from the Bible requires multiple readings, and many gradual shifts of ones understanding.  In this sense, learning Scripture is a lifetime experience like getting to know a totally different language and culture.

The holy writings are themselves spirit matter, and must add to, refresh, and make visible otherwise hidden spirit matter contained within believers.  The aspect directed to our intellect is “the tip of the iceberg” so to speak.  For we are now vessels containing divinity.

Bible accounts, historical narratives, parables, and proverbs are not anecdotes, fictions or stories intended for amusement and entertainment.  When believers use multiple translations and versions of Scripture for their studies, they must be prepared to make determinations of application, meaning, and truth-value on the basis of agreement and consistency with revealed divine operations, eternal purpose, and sacred practice.

Certainly, there is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, thoroughly examined, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, salvation for the living results by interactions of flesh and divine spirit.  High things of GOD are displayed and imparted in figures, and terms that may be easily recognized among those upon the earth, no matter what climate, culture, or language group the are in.  Common sense, then, is usually enough to clarify and explain many issues; and a reader need only be patient.  More difficult obstacles and problems are overcome through continued fellowship with mature believers, further reflection, prayer, and continued study.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.  (2nd Corinthians 10:  7, KJV)


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC