2004.03.1.01 Summary Where Will You Spend Eternity? (What Is Required In Order To Qualify To Sit On A High Throne For Eternity?) Created by James3 on 8/17/2019 7:35:35 AM Summary Where Will You Spend Eternity? (What Is Required In Order To Qualify To Sit On A High Throne For Eternity?)
A major challenge facing believers in this age is the level of disagreement on many areas of teaching.
Believers make reference to "discernment", "peace" and other abstract indicators based on which they make decisions regarding the validity or otherwise of teachings.
It seems clear to the writer that the very large number of denominations and groups who do not agree on teaching {doctrine} indicates that the methods currently employed by the body of believers {church} are not reliable.
Given that there can be only one truth on any subject, the truth of the Almighty, it is apparent that there is a need to resolve this problem.
On the one hand, 1 John 5:3 states "For this is the love of Yah {God}, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." (KJV, name adjusted) Thus, it is important to correctly interpret and apply the commandments of the Almighty as an act of love toward Him.
This applies particularly with regard to aspects which relate to fundamental issues relating to commandments as opposed to principles.
The importance of this is further indicated by Revelation 21:8 which states "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." (KJV) The "unbelieving" are listed specifically so the rest of this verse applies to believers and indicates that ALL liars will have a part (period of time) in the lake of fire and brimstone.
Belief in false teaching is belief in a lie and that will result in the person who believes the lie being judged a liar unless they repent in this life.
This is demonstrated in 1 Kings 13:18-26:
18 He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of Yah the eternally self existing {the LORD}, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.
19 So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water.
20 And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of Yah the eternally self existing {the LORD} came unto the prophet that brought him back:
21 And he cried unto the man of Yah that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith Yah the eternally self existing {the LORD}, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of Yah the eternally self existing {the LORD}, and hast not kept the commandment which Yah the eternally self existing {the LORD} thy Mighty One {God} commanded thee,
22 But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which Yah the eternally self existing {the LORD} did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers.
23 And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back.
24 And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase.
25 And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcase: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt.
26 And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of Yah, who was disobedient unto the word of Yah the eternally self existing {the LORD}: therefore Yah the eternally self existing {the LORD} hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of Yah the eternally self existing {the LORD}, which he spake unto him." (KJV, names adjusted)
It is important to note that the man who BELIEVED the lie was judged.
It is also important to note that the man who was judged was a prophet who hours before had performed a notable miracle and delivered a prophetic message on behalf of the Almighty. This was a man who was close to the Almighty and was hearing the Almighty clearly and yet "discernment" or "peace" did not keep him from believing a lie. He was also filled with the set apart {Holy} Spirit otherwise he could not have been a prophet.
The balance of this document seeks to present an alternative approach to interpreting matters of teaching, prophetic messages, etc.
In considering this approach, please keep in mind that the subject we are discussing is the LEGAL interpretation of the commandments of the Almighty spoken to men through other men including that which is written in the body of texts commonly referred to as the Bible.
There can be only one valid interpretation of any specific point within the context of the overall scheme of teachings about the Almighty.
In addition, as in human courts, so in the Court of Heaven "ignorance of the law is no excuse".
There MAY, at times, be a spiritual interpretation and also a physical interpretation in matters of prophecy or prophetic events but in matters of essential commandment it seems to me that there can be only one interpretation.
I would like to offer the following techniques that I have found useful in my career as an engineer, business analyst, management consultant and strategist and which I have also found useful in interpreting the commandments of the Almighty.
These technqiues are often inherent in the conclusions that I have reached regarding difficult and often divisive matters of scripture and I ask you to please give them serious consideration.
The techniques are as follows:
1. REDUCTIO AD ABSURDUM
Reductio ad absurdum is a technique applied in mathematics, philosopy and law.
The fact that it is applied in law is particularly relevant since we are, in essence, discussing an approach to interpreting the laws or commandments of the Almighty.
The web site "The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy" at
http://www.iep.utm.edu/r/reductio.htm gives the following definition "Reductio ad absurdum is a mode of argumentation that seeks to establish a contention by deriving an absurdity from its denial, thus arguing that a thesis must be accepted because its rejection would be untenable. It is a style of reasoning that has been employed throughout the history of mathematics and philosophy from classical antiquity onwards."
My intention in this article is NOT to give a comprehensive explanation of the technique but only to highlight it as something I have found useful and which I think might be useful to others.
An example of reductio ad absurdum would be as follows:
1.1 Hypothesis -
"once a person has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord they are certain to go to heaven" - "summarised as once saved, always saved".
1.2 Assumption -
assume that this hypothesis is correct.
1.3 Test 1 - Hebrews 6:4-8:
"4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Set Apart Spirit {Holy Ghost},
5 And have tasted the good word of Yah {God}, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they execute {crucify} to themselves the Son of Yah {God} afresh, and put him to an open shame.
7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from Yah {God}:
8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned." (KJV, names adjusted)
This indicates that believers who "fall away" reach a point where the offering made by Yahooshua {Jesus} no longer avails to bring them repentance. In other words, such people lose their salvation.
Result of test - "once saved always saved" fails.
1.4 Test 2 - Hebrews 10:26-31:
"26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of Yah {God}, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith Yah the eternally self existing {the Lord}. And again, Yah the eternally self existing {The Lord} shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living Mighty One {God}." (KJV, names adjusted)
This passage indicates that the Almighty will judge "His people" and that He will take vengeance on those believers who do not respect the covenant.
Result of test - "once saved always saved" fails.
1.5 Test 3 - Philippians 2:12:
"12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (KJV)
This is written to believers and advises them to work out their salvation with fear and trembling again indicating that it is possible for a believer to lose salvation.
Result of test - "once saved always saved" fails.
1.6 Conclusion
In three cases it is found that a believer can lose their salvation and therefore this strongly indicates that whatever other interpretation may be placed on other verses, these verses clearly support the thesis that it IS possible for a believer to lose their salvation and spend eternity in the lake of fire. There are other verses that corroborate this thesis.
The basis of reductio ad absurdum is that the emphasis is NOT on proving that the theorem is true but on proving that the theorem is NOT false.
This approach has been used for centuries as a robust and reliable method in mathematics, philosophy, law and other disciplines. I support you to seriously consider applying it in interpreting the legal elements of the commandments of the Almighty.
This approach is the essence of the legal principle of "innocent until proven guilty". The assumption that the judge is required to make is that the defendant is innocent UNTIL evidence is offered that proves beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant is NOT innocent. Only then is the defendant found guilty - through NOT innocence.
In the above case this approach suggests that "once saved always saved" is NOT always valid and is therefore false.
2. EXTREME VALUE ANALYSIS OR LIMIT STATE ANALYSIS
Extreme value analysis accepts that in complex situations the true solution is part of a continuum of physical realities which are extremely complex and inter-related.
However, since it is a continuum with finite boundaries the limits can be understood. In general, the limits are less complex than the intermediate points in the continuum.
This is important in the context of interpreting many teachings in the body of text commonly referred to as "the Bible". Different passages refer to different situations reflecting the complexity of the Kingdom of Yah (the Almighty).
Thus, in understanding judgment:
2.1 Extreme negative value or limit state - Revelation 20:15:
"15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (KJV)
At one extreme a person can be cast into the lake of fire for eternity.
2.2 Extreme positive value or limit state - Revelation 3:21:
"21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." (KJV)
At the other extreme a person can sit on a throne with Yahooshua {Jesus} for eternity.
2.3 Intermediate values or states - 1 Corinthians 3:11-15:
"11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Yahooshua the anointed of Yah {Jesus Christ}.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." (KJV, name adjusted)
A number of states, referred to as gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay and stubble are indicated.
As I read it, there is not much guidance on how one lives ones life in order for ones life to be judged in one of the intermediate categories. However, there is a considerable body of writing which is directed at guiding one to become an overcomer and therefore sit on a high throne.
Accordingly, since the two extreme end states represent the ends of a continuum, it seems appropriate to aim for the upper limit state (a throne) in the hope that one will at least cross the boundary in the continuum between eternity in the lake of fire and eternity at some point in heaven.
3. OUTCOME IF IN ERROR
Another test that I find useful is what might be termed "outcome if in error".
As I understand the situation, the forces of darkness have one primary objective, to cause men to sin at a level that results in them being in submission to Satan and not to the Almighty.
It is my understanding that in essence the forces of darkness do this by seeking to deceive mankind into breaking one or more of the ten commandments.
In simple terms, the objective of Satan and his cohorts is to deceive all mankind to such a level that NONE of them qualify to enter heaven or at least that as few as possible enter heaven.
Accordingly, a third approach is to look at the outcome of a particular scenario or teaching from a perspective of what the outcome would be if the assumption that the teaching was of the Almighty were in fact not the case.
Application of this test to "once saved always saved" would look like:
3.1 Hypothesis -
"once saved always saved".
3.2 Counter hypothesis -
"once a person has made a decision they will still be judged and can spend time or eternity in the lake of fire"
3.3 Test 1 -
consequence of the hypothesis being in error
If the hypothesis is in error then many who believe they are guaranteed a place in heaven will end up in the lake of fire for eternity - outcome negative.
There is clear benefit to the forces of darkness from causing people to believe "once saved always saved".
3.4 Test 2 -
consequence of the counter hypothesis being in error
If people believe they have to work out their salvation and in so doing seek to draw closer to the Almighty, to live according to the commandments, etc and the counter hypothesis is in error then they will have drawn closer to the Almighty and presumably have lived lives that are more pleasing to Him.
There is NO benefit to the forces of darkness from causing people to believe they can spend eternity in the lake of fire even after they have made a decision.
3.5 Conclusion -
"once saved always saved" is unlikely to be a true teaching or belief and teaching of judgment for believers is probably true.
4. SOME OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
In applying the above there are a few other points that I would like to suggest for consideration:
4.1 TWO OR MORE WITNESSES
It is a necessary requirement in scripture for there to be at least two witnesses before the death penalty can be applied.
In the context of this article, I understand this to indicate that there should be at least two passages written by different people which indicate that something is a sin before it can be considered to be a sin.
Thus, by way of example, I understand this to require that there should be at least two different passages in different books that indicate that a person can be a believer and still go to the lake of fire.
This requirement was met in the examples used above. There are other passages, refer the document "Where will YOU Spend Eternity?" for more information.
4.2 APPARENT PARADOXES
There ARE many apparent paradoxes in the body of writings we know as "the Bible".
For example, John the Immerser {baptist} said that he was not Elijah and Yahooshua said that he was.
My understanding is that physically John was NOT Elijah but that spiritually he was walking in the authority, anointing or "mantle" of Elijah. John did not need to know this.
So, it is true to say that John was not Elijah but he was Elijah - I think that there are many passages that manifest the same type of paradox - one refers to the physical realm and one to the spiritual realm.
Another example - we are told that when a man and woman join together sexually they become "one flesh". They do not become one body physically, a spiritual bond is formed between them.
4.3 I DO NOT UNDERSTAND
It seems to me that in many cases there is much room to say "I do not understand" and / or "I cannot explain it" and / or "I do not know".
I think that this would be a more appropriate response in many teachings that I have heard or read rather than simply ignoring verses that do not support a particular thesis or teaching.
4.4 WE WILL ALL STAND BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT ALONE
As I understand the judgment process, we will each stand before the throne of judgment on our own.
We will not be able to take the person who wrote the book we believed or who preached the message we believed or who gave the teaching we believed with us.
In other words, we are EACH solely and individually responsible for what we believe. The only exception to this is that a man is responsible for what the women who are under his covering believe and that he has told them - he will pay the price on the Day of Judgment since they are told to submit to him in everything (Ephesians 5:24, 1 Peter 3:1).
In other words, we should NOT believe ANY person without praying about what they say and checking it out for ourselves and taking a decision that WE are prepared to be judged for.
Yahooshua told us NOT to call any MAN "teacher" but that the set apart {holy} Spirit was our teacher. In other words we should pray, listen to the teachings and read the writings that are available to us and seek guidance and confirmation from the Almighty.
Inherently this principle requires that every person makes a real effort to enter into CLOSE relationship with the Almighty and seek His guidance in every area of their lives.
The prayer "Father, I ask you to show me the level of my current deception and how to correct it", is recommended as is "Father, I ask you to judge me in this life in order that I should not be judged in the life to come". There are other more severe prayers that can be prayed by those who really are focused on a high throne for eternity.
I suggest that the above prayers should be prayed on a regular basis, particularly when one is faced with a situation or teaching that one is unsure of. I recommend praying more specific prayers when faced with a teaching or situation one is unclear on or where someone is challenging something we hold to be true.
4.5 WE DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEMAND DOCTRINAL COMPLIANCE FROM OTHERS UNLESS...
I submit that no shepherd {pastor}, leader, prophet, apostle or other person has the right to demand that other people subscribe to the teaching {doctrine} of the person making the demand UNLESS the person making the demand is willing to sign a written declaration to the effect that what they are teaching is entirely correct and IF it is in any way in error and that this would result in a negative outcome for the person who believes that teaching on the Day of Judgement then the person making the demand will take their place in the lake of fire.
In other words, unless someone is prepared to go to the lake of fire for those who believe them they have no right to demand that others believe them.
In the same way, I submit that people do not have the right to use persuasive, manipulative, guilt, pressure and other techniques to persuade others to believe what they believe.
I also submit that any person who teaches error WILL ALSO go to the lake of fire for their error on behalf of EVERY person who believes their lies in addition to going for their own error. So we should all be alert to the possibility of our own error if someone presents a different teaching to ours.
It seems to me that a simple test of any person who is adamant about a particular interpretation of any matter is to ask "are you willing to go to the lake of fire on my behalf if you are in error". If the answer is anything other than a clear "yes" without qualification I think it would be worthwhile taking time to check out that teaching and even then I would ask for it in writing before taking that teaching for oneself without prayer.
For me the appropriate answer is to never take anything on the basis of someone else's demand, choose what you believe is truth and take responsibility for your choice.
It seems to me that if this principle was universally applied there would be much less division in the body of believers.
4.6 THE CURRENT DOCUMENTS ARE NOT RELIABLE
The complilation of documents in "the Bible" are based on manuscripts that are mostly at least close to two thousand years old.
The body of documents commonly referred to as "the new testament" were mostly written by men who as I understand it were Hebrews who spoke Hebrew as their mother tongue and many were written to believers who were Hebrews who spoke Hebrew as their mother tongue.
There are therefore strong grounds to believe that much and maybe all of the "new testament" was written in Hebrew and subsequently translated into Greek. I have reason to believe that there are translation errors from Hebrew to Greek.
There are also reports that the present "new testament" is based on diverse compilations of manuscripts from different sources which are alleged to disagree on over one thousand points.
I am aware of translation errors from Greek to English. This is one reason why there are something like one hundred different English translations.
There are also allegations of scribal error and scribal "emendation" (doctrinally based adjustment) in the "old testament".
Accordingly, it is my understanding that there is no basis to allege that any current version of "the Bible", and particularly any English version or derivative from the English in another language, is without error relative to what was originally recorded by the original writers. Thus, one must take care about building belief based on the currently available translations.
This again points to the need for each person to seek a close personal relationship with the Almighty and to seek His guidance.
4.7 READ THE WHOLE BOOK
I suggest that the interpretation of the commandments of the Almighty requires a congruent, consistent, intellectual analytical process. We are dealing with the LAWS of the Kingdom, not the opinions of man and NOT feelings of peace or "discernment". The "bible" as a whole presents the largest single body of documentation relating to the Kingdom of the Almighty and His Laws that is available to most human beings.
We are also told that the Almighty does not change and, accordingly, it seems reasonable to expect that the entire body of writings provide a congruent indication of the basis of judgement and what is required to qualify as an overcomer.
We are also told that Yahooshua did NOT come to change the law (Torah) but to fulfill it, accordingly, it seems to me that we should be very cautious of accepting any teaching which suggests that something fundamental changed in terms of the laws according to which we will be judged. We should also be able to understand clearly how Yahooshua fulfilled the "old testament" before we accept a teaching about something that is attributed to Yahooshua that we cannot see clearly in this light.
Accordingly, I submit that it is important to read the entire book and to ensure that what one believes is congruent with the entire book taking account of certain limited changes resulting from the covenant of Yahooshua and taking account of the point above that the current English versions are not entirely reliable.
4.8 DESIGN AGAINST FAILURE
In my business as a management consultant trained as an engineer, one of the principles that I stress is what I call "design for success by engineering against failure".
This is based on the principle that engineered structures succeed because they do not fail and major failures result from small mistakes.
In the context of this article, it seems important to recognise that we will get to heaven if we do not do things that cause failure (send us to the lake of fire), I understand this to be primarily keeping the ten commandments and I understand the covenant made by Yahooshua as providing spiritual tools and legal means whereby this becomes more readily achievable.
I suggest that one's focus in service to the Almighty should therefore be that while one is aiming either to get to heaven or to seek a high throne (recommended option) one does this by seeking to systematically eliminate from one's life everything that will keep one from achieving this objective.
4.9 SEEK TRUTH NOT ERROR
I encounter many teachings about the errors of others. Frequently such teachings go into much detail about the errors and devote relatively little attention to what should be done or what IS alleged to be truth.
Over the years I have concluded that the world is full of error and therefore talking about it only serves to focus attention on it. I have concluded that this is not particularly constructive and that it is preferable to focus ones attention on truth.
In other words, if one receives a document or hears a teaching, I suggest that you focus on seeking what is truth from a point of view of equipping oneself to draw closer to the Almighty rather than on the parts of the document or teaching which talk about error or which you perceive to be error.
I have personally concluded that it is not profitable to spend much time reading or listening to teachings which focus on error rather than truth or to focus on the part of a teaching which one believes to be error.
As I see it we live in a continuum between "all truth" as emboddied by the Almighty and "all error" as embodied by Satan.
If we look up towards the Almighty we will pay less attention to the sin and error that is all around us in the world.
If we look at the error we take our eyes off the Almighty and start looking at the work of the kingdom of darkness and ultimately, if we become very focused on error it seems to me that we are becoming focused on the heart of the kingdom of darkness. I think that this tends to draw us away from the Almighty and fills our heart with contemplation of error.
Accordingly, I suggest that while it may be necessary to take note of error we should at most mention it briefly if it is absolutely necessary and then present the truth that compensates for the error.
If we encounter error in someone else and we consider ourselves equipped to offer them truth, then it seems to me that we have an obligation to do this without judgment and without focusing on the error. If we do not consider ourselves equipped, it seems to me that we should just pass the error bye while possibly taking note of its existence if that seems relevant.
I think it is also important to recognise that every human being has at least some truth, none are as absolutely evil as Satan. Accordingly, if we choose, we have an opportunity to gain truth, albeit sometimes obscure truth, from others who we perceive to be filled with error.
4.10 JUDGE NOT
We are told repeatedly by Yahooshua NOT to judge. Yet many writings and teachings present judgments of other people or groups of people.
I understand this to be another facet of the previous point. Look for truth and not error. The Almighty will deal with the error of others, our responsibility is to share the truth we think we have and to seek to learn truth from others, even if we can see that they have error in some areas.
4.11 THERE HAS ONLY BEEN ONE MAN WHO IS REPORTED TO HAVE LIVED WITHOUT SIN
Only Yahooshua is reported to have lived his entire life without sin.
Accordingly, we WILL find sin and error in other people. I suggest that this should not surprise us or offend us.
We ALSO all have sin and error in our own lives.
Accordingly, it seems to me that we should not focus on the error of others unless we have TRUTH to share with them and we should not judge them or be offended by their error.
4.12 ACCUSATION AND JUDGMENT OBSCURES TRUTH
If one has truth and shares it in a judgmental or accusatory way, it is my experience that this obscures whatever truth one may have because the judgment and accusation are sin and this obscures truth.
It seems to me that it is very difficult to receive truth when it is embedded in judgement and accusation.
It also seems to me that where there is much judgment and accusation or manipulation or other language or technique which seems to want to force an outcome there is an increased probability that the essence of the message contains error.
I have certainly encountered messages which, in my opinion, contain serious error and which are using such techniques to force readers or listeners to take on the teaching. My choice in such cases is frequently to see such an approach as potentially indicating that the teaching is fundamentally in error and therefore to be more cautious about accepting it.
I have encountered messages where such techniques are used to deliver teachings which offer conclusions which I have great conviction represent serious error. Prayer for guidance therefore seems really important to me.
4.13 CHOICES
I would like to suggest that much of what is written above is about choices.
We all have the right to choose what we believe and thereby to choose whether we earn a high throne for eternity, the most tormented part of the lake of fire or somewhere in between.
Nobody else has the right to force us to believe anything.
We can passionately believe we are correct and we may be correct. However, I have increasingly found throughout my life that things that I was adamant I knew absolutely have turned out to be more complex or more obscure than I thought and even sometimes completely incorrect.
Accordingly, I have concluded that we should all give others the space to make their own choices and we should be willing to peacefully coexist with those around us who have made different choices to ours.
If we really believe someone is error then we are told to pray for those that hate us and pray for those who despitefully use us, etc. In other words, pray for someone who is in error, avoid an argument and seek to live in peace with them.
We also have a choice to seek to share what we perceive to be truth in a constructive and peaceful manner.
This article has presented some suggested techniques and some reference principles that I have found useful.
I hope that they are of assistance.
Warm regards and blessings
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