2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not want any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
The love, mercy, and grace of Father God revealed to us requires a response from us. Just as Adam (and Eve) had the power of contrary choice—the ability to say “no” to God’s truth, goodness, and beauty—so also do we. It is our ability to say “no” to God that makes our “yes” so meaningful. When we say “yes” to the Father’s offer of new life in Christ, we are saying “no” to our old way of life that was ruled by sin, death, and condemnation.
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Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in former times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we may have hope. {NET}
We want to end this week’s session by talking about hope. As Paul tells us above, the Scriptures were given to us to encourage us so that we may have hope. This week we have been considering some very heavy and somewhat difficult truths. But these truths are given to us so that we may hope. Since we have been thinking about the end of things, the end of our present life and the world to come, let’s end by thinking on some of the most incredible truths that are reality for all those who are “in Christ.”
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When we began this study we said that it was important to realize that every human being who has existed will exist forever. We are now getting to some of the “meat” truths of the Bible and some things that are difficult for us to think about, but we must.
Just as their are only two types of people, spiritually speaking—those who are “alive in Christ” and those who are still “dead in Adam”—so also there are only two eternal options for everyone: either live in the presence of God (eternal life) forever or away from His presence (eternal death).
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Today, we begin to discuss what can be a terrifying subject for some: the Day of Judgment. The Scriptures make it clear that there is a day coming when every human being must stand before God to give an account of how they have spent their time on earth. Although this is a sobering idea, it does not have to be a terrifying one. We are warned that this day is coming and so we are able to prepare for it – Jesus Himself has given us what we need to prepare for this day.
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Revelation 11:15
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
History is moving toward a certain end, a sure conclusion. The Lord-God planned for this conclusion in the past and is now moving all things toward it. A day will come when this world—now ruled by sin, death, and shame—will be overtaken by the Kingdom of the Beloved Son. When this Kingdom comes, all things will be set right and everyone will be put in their proper place.
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Acts 2:39
For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.
In the present times, God the Father, in His goodness, is calling men and women from all nations to see the glory of the Son. The Truth of Jesus the Son’s identity is confirmed by the work of the Holy Spirit. Father-God has sent His Son to save us from sin, death, and corruption and He is now calling many to Himself through the work of the Spirit.
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Today we want to take a brief look at some of the key things that the Holy Spirit does for all those who place their trust in Christ. In a later study, we go into more detail on these. For now, it is important that you see what God the Father and Son are doing in the World through the work of the Holy Spirit.
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