sovereignty

YHWH is sovereign in all His dealings with humanity.

Isaiah 65:20-23 The Millenium

Published on by Slave Of Righteousness
THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

Isaiah 65:20-23 centers on whether the prophet is describing the current “Church Age” or a specific future period if we are to reference an earthly Millennial Kingdom.

In the mind of the 1st-century Jewish Christian I believe it was understood to describe a future physical reign of Christ on earth.


Contextually speaking of Isaiah 65:20-23.


Some view this as a poetic description of the current spiritual blessings of the Church of believers or the final eternal state, when I read it as a literal and grammatical-historical approach I notice distinctions that point to a future period in time. Here is a short list:

​1. The Presence of Physical Death
​”No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old…” (Isaiah 65:20)

​Not the Present: In the current age, infant mortality and premature death are tragic realities. Life spans do not regularly reach a “minimum” of 100 years.

​Not the Eternal State: Revelation 21:4 states that in the New Heavens and New Earth (the final state), “death shall be no more.”

​The Millennial View: This passage describes a time where death still exists (It cannot be the final heaven, right?), but human longevity is restored to pre-flood levels. This a literal 1,000-year reign where Christ rules a physical earth before the final judgment.

​2. Labor, Property, and Safety among the people of YHWH.

​”They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.” (Isaiah 65:21)

Again, in the mind of the 1st-century Jewish believer these promises addressed the “Covenant Curses” found in Deuteronomy 28, where enemies would steal the fruit of one’s labor.

Isaiah describes a reversal of these curses:
A Future ​Literal Fulfillment: This implies a physical existence involving agriculture, construction, and socio-economic stability.

Israel and the Covenants: This aligns with the literal fulfillment of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants, where Israel possesses the land in peace—a state not yet realized in totality.

Great teachers such as: Charles Spurgeon, and John MacArthur viewed it as a literal. Bob Christian Jewish historian Flavious Josephus understood it as a literal restoration of the nation Israel, a Messianic Kingdom.

This of course is not a long article but a short thought and brief post. You’re welcome to share your insider thoughts. Blessings.

Hebrews 4:12

Published on by Slave Of Righteousness
THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
— Hebrews 4:12

I was looking at this familiar verse and revisited this verse for a deeper understanding. The truth of this verse is eternal spiritual but It is likewise important to better understand it historically. The “two-edged sword” or machaira in the Greek (μάχαιρα) mentioned is not the same sword (ξίφος) used for war or defense John 18:10, Acts 16:27.

The “two-edged sword” or machaira in the Greek (μάχαιρα) mentioned is used for a different purpose, it’s purpose is to cut precisely through the joints and marrow, soul and spirit of the individual to expose the true state of the person. This sword exposes and aligns with the truth of total depravity.  Man cannot hide his true intentions or person behind religious performances.

I would like to also add that, I think we forget that it is the breath of YHWH, the word that pierces the joints and marrow of a person not our volume in speaking, not our persuasive skills in argumentation. If we believe for one instance that it is our presentation or doing then we are acting as if we are the means, we are the Holy Spirit, trusting in “how” we say and not trusting in the Word itself.

One last point, like the sword that is used for battle or war is not the sword that we use for preaching the gospel, you can push back some and say, “we are at battle, it is spiritual warfare” It’s true, but in this verse we are speaking of the purpose and effectiveness of the Word itself. The Word we handle rightly exposes the person’s heart and disposition in love and patience trusting it will not return void, trusting it will complete it’s purpose of saving or condemning. Amen.

Everlasting Hell

Published on by Slave Of Righteousness

Hell is in isolation and the absence of God and others Matthew 25:41, rather than the traditional imagery of collective torment and suffering. It’s a more internalized and solitary form of suffering, I see it more the absence of divine and human connection. Luke 16 gives the idea of the rich man and Lazarus.

THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

Suffering and torment in Hell are beyond human comprehension, making it an even more intense and unfathomable experience. God is present everywhere Psalm 139:8, but those in Hell are unable to feel His presence. The torment comes from this profound disconnection from God, despite His omnipresence His comfort and presence is with held, this with holding further intensifies the concept of isolation and suffering in eternal Hell.

Hell is eternal, not temporary. The idea of Hell being everlasting adds to the gravity of the suffering and isolation, making it a perpetual state with no end. Matthew 25:41 This aspect underscores the seriousness of the consequence. There’s no remedy or escape from Hell, it is irreversible 2 Thessalonians 1:9, which adds to its severity.

Regardless of weather we think of hell as a literal or metaphorical fire, this brings no comfort! Let’s not think it’s merely metaphorical or some symbol, and should you, you will find no relief because the reality of hell and it’s intensity is greater than any mere metaphor or symbol. To the damned in hell, the presence of God is a consuming fire! It is just, because our Lord IS just.

My hope is that this short article underscores the eternality and seriousness of hell.

Joshua 24:15

Published on by Slave Of Righteousness
THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

This verse does NOT say nor implies that mankind has a “free will “, it does however mention something NOT being addressed. What do you do with other “gods”, are we to assume that there ARE other gods? He said “choose this day” yes, it is a command, a command does NOT imply any sort of natural innate ability, a command is a command, and they were commanded “…the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the river or the gods of the Amorites…” freely, and they did, they were NOT forced. I believe a remnant were, and are faithful, but the most were not faithful as we discover in Judges, they went on to worship the Canaanites false gods and were worse. 

I believe there is a REVEALED will of YHWH and a HIDDEN/ SECRET will of YHWH. Deuteronomy 29:29.  

If it is evil in your sight to serve Yahweh, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.

Joshua 24:5

Both sides of the fence in articles 1 & 4 acknowledge total inability but one ADDS a so-called prevenient grace, I ask you, where is that in Holy Scriptures? 

I see it like this, Joshua wasn’t able to bring them out of bondage but our Jesus being greater than Joshua is able to and has brought us out of bondage. YHWH makes us willing and thus we are given the ability to choose to obey. Some will, some will NOT, we don’t know which have ability, except and only after the command given is it revealed those who have this ability as well as those who are deficient. If you’re looking for fairness of YHWH, He doesn’t work in the way of fairness. He is Holy and works all things according to council of His will. 

Scripture teaches that we choose. In Hebrews 11:24-26, Moses is said to have made a choice: “By faith, Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” 

Do all people have faith, no, we are given the gift of faith so that we may believe and serve along with the rest of Gods people choosing freely, we are not forced, and those without faith will never choose to obey but will choose always to rebel, freely. Both choose willingly freely. 

This is not a debate but it is my belief and understanding of what scripture teaches. No one seeks after God. If God gives ability to you the person you will inevitably come to Him, serve Him and obey Him faithfully. We are sustained and persevere by the power of YHWH.  

James 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Amen!

Adam and Eve

Published on by Slave Of Righteousness

Saved or Not Saved, that is The Question

THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

In the book of Genesis chapter 3 we read Elohim saying, “…and I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.” Genesis 3:15. Let me first come out and say I believe our first parents Adam and Eve are SAVED in with our Lord because they died in faith. In a short conversation I had mentioned that Adam named his wife Eve, her name means “Life”, she is the mother of all the living. Adam honored his wife by calling her Eve. Adam could have called her another name meaning the opposite but he didn’t, he named her Eve which leads me to believe Adam had to believe in the mercy of YHWH because of what YHWH said in Genesis 3:15.

That very day they both ate of the fruit they died spiritually and started to die physically through decay. YHWH could have destroyed them both, but He didn’t, He showed mercy by allowing them to live.

It Has Always Been Grace

Immediately what do we see? We see YHWH giving them a covering, not just a covering to protect them from the environment but a covering, an atoning covering. Later we see these animal skin sacrifices in Numbers 4:6, Leviticus 4:11 just to name a couple. These sacrifices served as a foreshadow of the One perfect and final sacrifice for the true covering of atonement for the redeemed.

After Being Cast Out of the Garden

We see by example that Their children in Cain and Able, they offered sacrifices to YHWH which tells me that Adam must have taught them to do so. Genesis 4:3-4 So it happened in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to Yahweh of the fruit of the ground. Abel, on his part, also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And Yahweh had regard for Abel and for his offering.

Adam in the Lineage and What About Eve?

I want to close this with this one last point, Adam is included in the lineage as head to those redeemed up to Joseph! Adam is not only head of the fallen race but also of the redeemed race. He is not numbered under the cursed of Cain but of the redeemed of Able. Blessings.

To Know God

Published on by Slave Of Righteousness
THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

It is important to know God because He is the One who created us. His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than ours so says the book of Isaiah 55:8–9. Our faith as Christians is a religion of revelation, and, Yahweh is a God who reveals himself through His Word. Sometimes we may not experience God in our darkest moments as if He was distant or maybe even not involved, but He hasn’t left us.

God makes Himself known to mankind in two ways. The first is general revelation or natural revelation Romans 1:20. It’s just a basic knowledge of who God is, His expression in all of his works. Through His creation we see a reflection of something of Himself, no created reflection is exactly like our God. The other way that God reveals Himself is through what we call special revelation II Timothy 3:15. This is where we see God through the Holy Scriptures, we read the story of how God condescended to our level as a man the incarnation of The Son of God, our Lord and Savior. Isaiah 9:6

I have spoken with some brothers about not being known by God, and they would say that only applies to false prophets those who come in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they’re like ravenous wolves. My response is this, yes, it applies to them of that time, but not them only, it applies to a future age, our age. It says in there not everyone who says to me, Lord Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord Lord, have we not done this or that, and then He will declare to them, “I never knew you, depart from me, you who practice lawlessness”. Matthew 7:21-23 Mankind has been practicing lawlessness since the beginning of time after the fall, it hasn’t stopped since then so, it is applicable in this age. Genesis 6:5;Jeremiah 17:9-10

To Be Known By God

To know God, or to know of God is important for sure, but to be known by God is even more important. God knows us much better than we know ourselves Jeremiah 1:5 He knows our thoughts, our past, present, and our future there is nothing that can surprise Him. Psalm 139: 1-2. He knows it all! in spite of what he knows about us, he loves us deeply, and took upon himself the consequences of our sinfulness our failures upon himself and secured us. John 3:16.

I believe it is equally, if not more important, not only to know, God, but to be known of God, that is where the relationship is. He knows us intimately, He knew us before we were born. We know Him through His Word, intimately, and one day we will know Him fully just as He has always known us fully, this is a holy righteous and eternal relationship. Secured in Him. Romans 8:38-39. Blessings.

Is Your Profession of Faith True?

Published on by Slave Of Righteousness
THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

When we engage with others who profess faith in Jesus most of us take it for granted that it’s genuine. A sincerer profession may be true but a sincere profession does not equate to a genuine confession. Your profession of faith is contingent on your understanding of who Jesus is.

When Jesus was talking to His disciples He asked them “who do they say that The Son of man is?” Matthew 5 16:13 & 17. Later on Jesus directly asks Peter the same question “But who do you say that I am?”, Peter then responds, “You are the Christ, The Son of the living God.”. later we see that Jesus say, “flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven….”.

Jesus has claimed His being in John 8:58, Colossians 2:9, Isaiah 7:14. There are many other verses that confirm His being and who He is but for now this will suffice. The name Immanuel is literally “God with us” or “with us is God”.

Who Accepts Who?

When we engage with other professing “believers” and they say that They’ve “accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior” it rarely gets questioned and passed over. In John 15:16 Jesus said “I chose you”. He chose and appointed them at that time to bare fruit and in this age He has appointed us to bare fruit. Jesus is the one who accepts a repentant sinner upon confession and It is the sinner who receives forgiveness…Jesus is the one who does the accepting.

Your Faith Is Only Valid If The Object Of Faith Is Valid.

What is a valid faith? What does that mean? It means exactly what it sounds like. If the faith that you place is on any other Jesus then what has not been revealed in scripture, is not faith. It is not a dead faith it is no faith at all. Proverbs 3:5-6 , Hebrews 11:6. People say they know Jesus or know of Jesus, the first being Fiducia referring to personal trust and reliance and the other refers to an Assensus referring to a knowing of the content of the faith and yet not believing it to be true. Blessings and hope this clears some things for you.