Believers and Hell Fire

There have been so many reports and stories of one believer found in hell fire in visions. Thanks to God more and more people are beginning to discredit such visions; howbeit not because they have come to understand how that such insinuations are false, but just because they do not want it to be true. But if it's true, choosing to ignore it won't be a right approach. Will it?

Welcome to this timeout for a brief journey into the Bible, and thank you for our articles you've been sharing to get men free from ignorance.

Believers and Hell fire. Bible Standpoint.

*[[Rev 21:8]] KJV* But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

This is one popular scripture quoted to describe the kind of people who will go to hell. Please take note of the last clause: "which is the second death".
It didn't say "a second death", but "THE second death". So the "lake of which burns with fire and brimstone" is the second death.

*[[Rev 20:13-14]] KJV*  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. THIS IS THE SECOND DEATH.

If it's clear that what is called "lake of fire" is "the second death", now, who partakes in this "second death"?

*[[Rev 20:6]] KJV* Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Who will partake of this first resurrection?

*[[1Th 4:14]] KJV* For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

So the resurrection is for us that believe that Jesus died and rose again. On such, Revelations say the second death has NO POWER.

Do you believe that Jesus died and rose again? Then the second death (lake which burns with fire and brimstone) has no power over you!

Jesus said,

*[[Joh 5:24]] KJV* Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

He says you shall not come into condemnation (that is, judgment), but you are passed from (the second) death unto life. You have passed from your lake of fire unto life everlasting. It means it's too late to decide for hell because you didn't say "stop me here" when you were being passed from death and now the life you're in is everlasting - life forever.

But where is the place of living righteous lives? Show the world you're not of this world! Be good ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Preach the Gospel. Love your friends and have no enemy. Be submissive to your parents (physical or spiritual). But what qualified you for heaven is not your works (Titus 3:5), but the sacrifice of Jesus ONLY. Boasting is irrelevant except it is in the Lord. Congrations!

A Boast in the Lord is Humility

When we talk of righteousness, holiness and the "holy presence of God", so many of us are accustomed a religious lowly humiliating attitude and we often think it is a way of honoring God. In ignorance, we are doing exactly the opposite: we are not honoring God but despising Christ riches.

We think it's by confessing a sinner daily that we are humble. No! You honour God only when you confess His words (Josh 1:8). His word says you have exchanged your sins for Christ's righteousness. Don't henceforth confess that sin anymore then if you agree God's word is true. It's not the man that is humble in his thinking that God sees as humble. Humility can only be defined by God's word! And God's word says it's the man who trembles at GOD'S WORD that is humble.

…but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. (Isa 66:2)

He gives grace and has respect to the humble: the humble priotizes His word.

So if the word says you are worthy, the truly humble walks and speaks worthily with trembling. If the word says "come boldly to the throne of grace", he won't say "I must first examine myself because I can't be too sure"

Christ's work not only grants us a free access to the Father: it brought boldness with it.

In whom we have BOLDNESS and ACCESS with CONFIDENCE by the faith of him. (Ephesians 3:12 KJV)

If you cannot enter unto God and look Him straight in His eyes, you are making it look like Christ did not do a perfect job on your sins. The best way to reverence Christ is to stand fast in the liberty He has got for you. Being afraid of God amounts to taking lightly the gift of Christ. Don't forget: His thoughts of are not your thoughts and his ways are not your ways. When you think He will kill you for what you've done, He is thinking "if this man will just come to me, I will protect Him and even make him not see death anymore".

A boast in the Lord is NEVER counted as sin, but as righteousness before God. "And he {Abraham} believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." (Genesis 15:6) If you also will approach God with boldness and confidence without guilt consciousness, it will not be counted as pride, but righteousness for you.

You don’t “deserve” a miracle

Have you ever thought like this?

"If only we could live a very holy life before God, if you can just maintain a sinless life before God, ah… before you say 'God do this…',  it's already done; our words will become commands answered speedily. The reason we are praying and it is hard to get answers is because of our sins. If we can just be holy…"

Ah! If you think like that, you will never work a miracle. If you think God is not hearing you "speedily" like some "holier men of God" because you have not been as perfect as them, hmm… you're distancing yourself from being used mightily by God.
Why do miracles happen? Because people are holy? Do they cease because people are not holy?
Peter and John have performed several miracles before; and they have this to say after healing a lame man at the Beautiful Gate:

And when Peter saw [it], he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power OR HOLINESS WE HAD MADE THIS MAN TO WALK? (Acts 3:12 KJV)

Did you see that? Peter confessed, it's not our holiness actually even though it is this Peter who wrote to the church on the need to "be holy"
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:15-16 KJV)

Why do miracles happen?

God gives you his Spirit and works miracles in you. But does he do this because you obey the Law of Moses or because you have heard about Christ and have faith in him? (Galatians 3:5 CEV)
That's the answer we finally got! Miracles happen because we BELIEVE.

And these signs shall follow THEM THAT BELIEVE; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Mark 16:17-18 KJV)

And miracles cease when people step out of faith.

And he {Jesus} did not many mighty works there BECAUSE OF THEIR UNBELIEF. (Matthew 13:58 KJV)
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, WHY COULD NOT WE CAST HIM OUT? And Jesus said unto them, because of your UNBELIEF… (Matthew 17:19-20 KJV)

The world has always been wicked. People have always sinned. But miracles will not cease as long as whenever the son of man comes, He finds FAITH.
Jesus worked "mighty works" amongst UNREPENTANT people

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because THEY REPENTED NOT (Matthew 11:20)

But it was not until He got amidst UNBELIEVING people, the powerful Jesus that we know was grounded.

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed [them]. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. (Mark 6:5-6)

Righteous living surely has got its place. However, don't shortchange yourself to try to merit any gift of God: no, not by your standard of disciplined life. So that it may be fulfilled which was written: "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:31 KJV)

Sin has not changed name: stay away!

Brothers and sisters in Christ let us take note that the lifestyle of sinning is not the kingdom lifestyle. Yes! Christ paid it all! Yes! We are not under the law: We are under grace! But sin has not done a change of name. It is still as cruel as ever, ruining lots of lives, destroying homes and diverting destinies.

God has not today (under grace) become a lover of sin: the hatred is still as strong as it was under the law. The only difference is that someone has offered to bear the chastisement so we can have the peace we all are enjoying today (Isaiah 53:5), so that even when we sin, we are not treated by God as one that sinned (1 John 2:1-2).

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (1 John 2:1 KJV)
And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 10:17 KJV)

So you don't have to change the name of sin please! Please do not play down on sin. Don't reduce its weight in your attempt to confess grace. Let the people know how weighty what Jesus bore for them is so  they'll love Him much. What is sin? SOME things that are not right? FEW unrighteousness?... ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS is sin (1John 5:17) so Jesus paid a heavy price. How far you are from it if you have to depend on your own works!

On grace we must constantly insist, affirm and never be moved away from (Tit 3:8, 2Pet 1:12, Col 1:23, Gal 5:1).
God will not impute sins against you (John5:22).
you are forgiven unconditionally and without requirements (Heb 10:18, Act 13:39); and saved not according to our conducts (good/bad) (Tit 3:5).

Also, we must remember, sinful living is of the devil and not of God.
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8 KJV)

That's why we have several admonitions in the epistles to stay away from sin.
Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not…
1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.
1Co 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not;

In fact, apart from God not punishing you for your sins anymore, the earthly setup for sinners should scare you: the police to prosecute you; your good name to be soiled; gossips all around with their monitoring eyes and lips ready to speak your fall: oh walk in the Spirit please! You'll be doing yourself and the kingdom a favour.
Alleluia!

In What/Whom are you Glorying?

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Galatians 6:14)

The word "glory" here is not the common word "doxa" used in most "glory" word, as in "from glory to glory" (2Cor 3:18) and other verses; but the Greek word "kauchaomai" which means to "boast" or to "vaunt". It is a word that occurred about 38 times in the New Testament, and interestingly, ALL of the occurrences are only found in the epistles. This speaks a lot about us. We are supposed to be boastful people!

We GLORY (kauchaomai) in tribulations (Romans 5:3)
We REJOICE (kauchaomai) in hope (Romans 5:2)
We also JOY (kauchaomai) in God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:11)

To glory is not wrong: it is in what you're glorying in that may be wrong.
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:31 KJV)

Beloved, God permits only one glorying, and that is the glorying that you do in His finished work.

Not of works, lest any man should boast {glory in works}. (Ephesians 2:9)

And there are only two common place people can glory in: in the flesh or in the Lord.

When you confess and magnify Christ's offering for you OFTEN, you are glorying in the Lord. When you confess your strength, righteousness and ability to do it often, such as counting on the tithes you've paid to open the door of blessings on you; expecting your moral living to attract divine recognition and acceptance; looking forward to making heaven because you have been abstaining from sin; keeping yourself "holy" or counting on your fasting to cause God to forcefully attend to you; depending on your good church dance skills and ability to eulogise God to get His blessings; or any activity/service in church or anywhere intended to get God "impressed": you are glorying in the flesh. Doing the above good works (fasting, living holy, dancing etc) is good: but Christ ALONE must be the reason you have any blessing of God. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (Eph 2:18) Failure to acknowledge this is a glorying in the flesh, and an acknowledgment is a glorying in the Lord.

ONLY IN CHRIST IS GOD PLEASED. Others mean nothing to him.

But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I {not you} [am] the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: FOR IN THESE [THINGS] I DELIGHT, saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:24 KJV)

As for me, God forbid that I should glory, SAVE IN THE CROSS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Galatians 6:14) what about you?

Righteousness and Sanctification: Same source, same process

RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SANCTIFICATION: SAME SOURCE, SAME PROCESS

I agree that righteousness and sanctification (holiness) are not exactly the same. However, to say that one is a "higher level" than the other is a step outside of faith.

Commonly thought is the concept that when you receive Jesus (at salvation), you are given righteousness as a free gift. This is correct at this level. But it is often added that, as for holiness, it is what you must do: it comes from your effort and ability, and not from God. Wrong!

We teach righteousness and sanctification: SAME SOURCE, SAME PROCESS. Christ redemption brought the two. They are both freely given! Check your bible!

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and RIGHTEOUSNESS, and SANCTIFICATION, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30 KJV)

You feel one is a "higher level" than the other but see how the writer puts both on the same line pointing to the same source: Jesus Christ … and RIGHTEOUSNESS, and SANCTIFICATION. The man who is made unto us righteousness, the same is made unto us sanctification, the same, redemption. Now, do you say, redemption is "another level" after sanctification? Since it is mentioned last?

Take heed what thou doest anytime you want to turn to YOURSELF for perfection. It is a mistake that seems to be common to all. They start out on claiming righteousness by faith, but when they hear "be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is…", they shrink back from faith, and begin to "try harder" on themselves. Paul calls this foolishness. Perfection is not in your muscles, it's in Christ.

Are ye so FOOLISH? having begun in the Spirit, are ye NOW MADE PERFECT BY THE FLESH? (Galatians 3:3 KJV)

Just let Him that began a good work in you, bring it to completion. Don't look elsewhere! No, not to yourself. You are made righteous through faith in Christ (Romans 1:17 2Cor 5:21 Acts 13:39). You are already sanctified by the same (Hebrews 10:10). Not one work of God is imperfect. He's a good God.

Righteous by Default

Righteousness! Righteousness!

In the world cup, FIFA has a rule that makes the host of the tournament qualified automatically while other teams must have to have a tough battle to reach the mondial.

In 2010, we all know that hosts South Africa ought not be there because they did not win enough matches to qualify, yet they must be there by the statutory law of FIFA.

The above is a good explanation for "without works".

Now the bible teaches that the righteousness and salvation of every believer is "without works". What does that mean? The believer is "automatically" righteousness by the law of God. It is not according to how he "qualifies" or not, but according to how God qualifies him.

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth RIGHTEOUSNESS WITHOUT WORKS (Romans 4:6 KJV)
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)

In a language a friend of mine often uses, EVERY BELIEVER is RIGHTEOUS "by default". He has no sin in his account because he is the blessed man David describeth, the man unto who God does not impute sin.

He may sin, he may be overtaken in a "fault" (Gal 6:1, 1John 2:1) because he is not perfect, but God instead of imputing sins, keeps imputing righteousness.

Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. (Romans 4:8)
This is the heritage of ALL that believe in Christ Jesus, but "who has believed our report?"