Romans 6:23 --- the Wages of Sin is Death - — Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God says that the wages of sin - that is, what we earn as a result of our ungodly choices in life - is death (Romans 6:23). 

Yes, this means that we will lose our physical lives. 

But what about that spiritual component in us, the one Job called the "spirit in man" (Job 32:8)? 

When we die, says Solomon, it "return[s] to God who gave it" (Ecclesiastes 12:7). But what then?

Jesus says, "Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:54). 

But what if a person refuses to sign on to His New Covenant? What happens to the unbeliever and the rebel? 

He says, "'Cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. 

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. . . . 

Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.' . . . 

And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (verses Matthew 25:30, 41, 46).

Notice the difference in His two judgments: The "unprofitable servant," the "cursed," the unrepentant sinner, 

is thrown into "outer darkness," "everlasting fire," and "everlasting punishment," 

while the righteous enjoy eternal life. The reward of the saved and the fate of the wicked cannot both be eternal life, 

meaning that the "everlasting punishment" of the wicked must be eternal death, not eternal life in torment. 

Otherwise, God cannot be said to be just.

Jude makes an interesting comment in verse 7 of his epistle: "Sodom and Gomorrah . . . are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." The eternal fire that consumed those cities and their people is no longer burning, but its results are eternally valid: Those of Sodom and Gomorrah are still dead! 

Thus, eternal fire or "everlasting fire" does not mean a fire that never dies or one in which a person is eternally tormented 

but a fire of which the consequences are eternal. 

One who dies in the everlasting fire of God's punishment of sinners will be eternally dead! This is what is called the "Lake of Fire" in Revelation 20:15: "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire" (see also Matthew 13:40-43, 49-50). 

Similarly, nothingness, the state of death, is aptly described as "outer darkness."

Of this fate, Paul writes in Hebrews 10:26-27, 31: "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. . . . It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." 

As Jesus Himself says, "Fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28).

The human soul can die. 

We know it will die once physically (Hebrews 9:27), returning to God for safekeeping until the resurrection from the dead and the judgment (see Revelation 20:12-13). 

God, however, in His justice and mercy, will permanently destroy the souls of those who reject Him. 

"This is the second death" (Revelation 20:14), the final, eternal death for the - hopefully - few who choose it over eternal life in God's Kingdom.

— Richard T. Ritenbaugh

--

Saved by Grace,

Andrew Cross

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, 

but exhorting one another, 

and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25

YouTube channel = We belong to the Day

Standing at the End of the Tribulation - at the Rapture

What does it mean in Luke 21:36 

to "Stand before the Son of Man",

and how is this accomplished?

Let's look at several passages of scripture, 

to gain a better understanding,

and to be READY for the coming of Jesus Christ!

*

*

Standing before the Lord upon His return 

is referenced in several places.

I'd like to start with Revelation 

chapter 6 and verse 12

I looked when He broke the sixth seal, 

and there was a great earthquake; 

and the sun became black as sackcloth 

made of hair, 

and the whole moon became like blood; 

And reading on, 

we see in verse 17

for the great day of their wrath has come, 

and who is able to stand?"

Now let's look closer at Luke chapter 21.

Verse 25 through 28

"There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, 

and on the earth dismay among nations, 

in perplexity 

at the roaring of the sea and the waves, 

men fainting from fear 

and the expectation of the things 

which are coming upon the world;

for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 

Then they will see 

the Son of Man coming in a cloud 

with power and great glory. 

But when these things begin to take place, 

straighten up 

and lift up your heads, 

because your redemption is drawing near."

Jesus admonishes us further 

in Verses 34 through 36.

Be on guard, 

so that your hearts will not be weighted down 

with dissipation 

and drunkenness 

and the worries of life, 

and that day will not come on you 

suddenly like a trap; 

for it will come 

upon all those who dwell 

on the face 

of all the earth. 

But keep on the alert at all times, 

praying that you may have strength 

to escape all these things 

that are about to take place, 

and 

to stand before the Son of Man."

I would like to suggest

that to "Stand before the Son of Man",

is a result of having faith and not fear.

And being faithful or obedient 

until He visibly appears 

as stated in Luke 21:27

"And then will they see the Son Of Man Coming In A Cloud 

with power and great glory." 

The ability to stand firm 

comes from the Lord, 

but also requires some effort on our part,

as spelled out

in Ephesians chapter 6 

verses 11 through 14

Put on the full armor of God, 

so that you will be able to stand firm 

against the schemes of the devil. 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, 

but against the rulers, 

against the powers, 

against the world forces 

of this darkness, 

against the spiritual forces 

of wickedness 

in the heavenly places. 

Therefore, 

take up the full armor of God, 

so that you will be able to 

resist in the evil day, 

and having done everything, 

to stand firm.

Stand firm therefore, 

having girded your loins with truth, 

and 

having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Now let's take a look at two scriptures 

that encourage believers 

to be faithful 

( and therefore able to stand ),

at the return of Jesus Christ.

In 1st John chapter 2 

and verse 28 we read,

Now, little children, abide in Him, 

so that when He appears, 

we may have confidence 

and 

not shrink away from Him in shame 

at His coming.

To have confidence 

we must have a close and settled union with Christ,

Otherwise,

we are not going to be standing at His Coming.

We will be falling to our knees 

or face down on the ground,

because we will be overwhelmed 

with feelings of shame,

realizing we had not been walking in faith

before His return.

We still are "saved", 

since our standing as children of God 

( who possess eternal life ) 

is not related to our faithfulness,

but to His.

How one is saved, 

and why they can't lose that salvation 

is covered in several other posts 

in my blog and youtube channel.

I would like to close with Paul's words

in 1st Thessalonians chapter 5 

verses 23 and 24,

Now may the God of peace 

Himself sanctify you entirely; 

and may your spirit and soul and body 

be preserved complete, 

without blame 

at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Faithful is He who calls you, 

and He also will bring it to pass.

AMEN!

Youtube version = https://youtu.be/Orr4alTv2GE

--

Saved by Grace,

Andrew Cross

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, 

but exhorting one another, 

and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25

YouTube channel = We belong to the Day

What you thinking about Matters - Invisible and Eternal Things

Seeing the Invisible 
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, 

yet our inner person is being renewed day by day. 

17 For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us 

an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 

18 while we look not at the things which are seen, 

but at the things which are not seen; 

for the things which are seen are temporal, 

but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Colossians 3:1-4

Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, 

where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 

2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. 

3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 

4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, 

then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

1 Peter 1:13

13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, 

set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you 

at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

WATCH Video Version = https://youtube.com/shorts/S-doJHpRgLI

--

Saved by Grace,

Andrew Cross

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, 

but exhorting one another, 

and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25

YouTube channel = We belong to the Day

5% of all the Gold in the World -- sitting in New York City ( Manhattan ). -- the great Harlot ? To be Brought to Ruin by the Beast AND the 10 Horns ( kings ).

This surprised me. So much Gold at this location.

But it also fits with prophecies about the Harlot that is destroyed in one day ( Revelation chapter 17 + 18 ).

Always seems to "point" to New York City.

Of course 200 years ago, 

it would have pointed to London, England.

So, one has to wait and see......

Video about all this GOLD,

https://youtu.be/eaHkDYJ1Wko

Referencing Revelation chapter 17

15 Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, 

are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 

16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. 

They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 

17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose 

by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, 

until God's words are fulfilled. 

18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."

Revelation 18:18

In one hour she has been brought to ruin!'

*** I wonder about this "one hour",

as the 10 kings also get their kingdoms / authority for "one hour".

Looking again in Revelation chapter 17

It could be that the destruction of the CITY happens near the very END of the 3 1/2 years,

since we also see a reference to them "waging war" against the Lamb ( has He come back to Earth at this time.... ? ),

and with Him will be his called, chosen, and faithful followers"......?

12 "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, 

but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 

13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 

14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them 

because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—

and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."

--

Saved by Grace,

Andrew Cross

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, 

but exhorting one another, 

and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25

YouTube channel = We belong to the Day

How there may be a continuous experience of deliverance from the law of sin,

"Freedom Through Abiding in Christ" by Evan Hopkins

An Illustration

If a piece of iron could speak, what could it say of itself? 

"I am black; I am cold; I am hard." 

But put it in the furnace, and what a change takes place! 

It has not ceased to be iron; but the blackness is gone, and the coldness is gone, and the hardness is gone! 

It has entered into a new experience. 

The fire and the iron are still distinct, and yet how complete is the union; they are one. 

If the iron could speak, it could not glory in itself, but in the fire that makes and keeps it a bright and glowing mass. 

So must it be with the believer.

Do you ask the believer what he is in himself? 

He answers, "I am carnal, sold under sin" [Rom. 7:14]. 

For, left to himself, this inevitably follows; he is brought into captivity to the law of sin which is in his members. 

But it is his privilege to enter into fellowship with Christ, and in Him to abide. 

And there, in Him, who is our life, our purity, and our power; in Him, whose Spirit can penetrate into every part of our being, 

the believer is no longer carnal, but spiritual; no longer overcome by sin and brought into captivity, 

but set free from the law of sin and death, and preserved in a condition of deliverance. 

This blessed experience of emancipation from sin's service and the power implies a momentary and continuous act of abiding.

An Application

The believer cannot glory in himself. 

He cannot glory in a state of purity attained, and having an existence apart from Christ Himself. 

He is like the piece of iron. 

The moment it is withdrawn from the furnace, the coldness and hardness and blackness begin to return. 

It is not by a work wrought in the iron once for all, 

but by the momentary and continual influence of the fire on the iron that its tendency to return to its natural condition is counteracted.

Such is the law of liberty in the spiritual life. 

We can thus understand how there may be a continuous experience of deliverance from the law of sin, 

and at the same time a deepening sense of our own natural depravity; a life of triumph over evil with a spirit of the truest humility.

______________

Evan H. Hopkins (1837 - 1918). The Law of Liberty in the Spiritual Life, an excerpt from chapter 2: "No Condemnation." (CLCpublications.com)

God's Steadfast Love - No Fear

1 John 4:18a (KJV)

There is no fear in love; 

but perfect love casteth out fear:

1 Peter 5:6 (KJV)

Casting all your care upon him; 

for he careth for you.

Lamentations 3:21-24 (ESV)

But this I call to mind,
    and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul,
    "therefore I will hope in him."

Romans 8:37 ( NASB )

But in all these things 

we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

Ephesians 3:20,21 ( KJV )

Now unto him that is able to do 

exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, 

according to the power that worketh in us,

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus 

throughout all ages, world without end. 

Amen.

Youtube Video version = https://youtube.com/shorts/wBf11lehWBw

--

Saved by Grace,

Andrew Cross

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, 

but exhorting one another, 

and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25

YouTube channel = We belong to the Day