Question and Answer Program No. 70

The devil wants to steal her joy. He can have our soul our souls upon salvation are sealed by the spirit of God is the work of God in bringing us from death into life. We are born again into the family. God's we can be unborn and unredeemed and unsealed. The Trinity does not undo the work of God. So what is Satan do.

He brings doubt and let me encourage you, beloved, that there is a difference between doubt and I'm really interrupting our current series called humility.

Chapter 2 so that Stephen can spend today answering some questions that have come in from listeners. If you ever have a question that you want Stephen to answer on the air. You can call our Bible question line at 910-808-9384 and we have some good questions for you today. Have you ever wondered if a Christian can lose their salvation.

What's the great white throne. How does that relate to Christians or Christians judge their sample of what Stephen's going to be answering today here on wisdom from the heart.

Let's get started on Carolina) judgment@and account for half and after they've been saved about that question. Thank you Patty, thank you for calling in with that question. It really is a good one.

Glad to give Stephen the opportunity to answer that today is Stephen.

I like to divide Patty's question into two parts of like the first is this are believers judged for their sins. Yeah, that's a great place to start out about use God or Patty but I remember you know that the fear of God and the terror of the future with the thought of that video screen that was going to play one day all of my sins, and in that movie screams you be watched by everyone you know as we prepare to enter heaven. A fortunately we learned a little bit about the word and the fact that our sin has been covered completely atone for and even forgotten, as it were, for God has removed transgression from our accountant has covered us with the righteousness of Christ. What with that.

Then comes the question about the judgment seat of Christ, with the great white throne.

The Patty's mention. We also have the judgment seat of Christ. Those are two different events, the judgment seat of Christ is for believers only. In fact, Paul wrote to the Corinthians in first Corinthians 3 might jot that text down versus 1115. No man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, would Jesus draw each man's work will become evident for the day. This event judgment in Christ will show it to be revealed with fire that is the testing purity of Christ in his character.

The fire will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he is built on it remains, he will receive a reward of any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. So what you have is the holy justice of Christ as it were burning up everything about our lives that was self-centered, self oriented, it's going to be a loss and I think there's some grief in that second Corinthians 510 adds a very key component here where it says we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed or rewarded for his deeds in the body that is while they were alive. According to what he has done, whether good or bad. Your translation might even read good or evil. It's better to understand these words as whether profitable or unprofitable. Sin is not the issue. In fact, we have been covered with the imputed righteousness of Christ. But we will give an account for how we live our lives.

That's why the issue is the judgment of our works as a relates to what would be reward about what is profitable what was done for the glory of Christ and in Christ and his graciousness is going to reward us for those things we did that brought him glory. And by the way were going to realize that it was so much of him and nothing of us that when we got to do with those crowns, those jewels, those rewards were going to place them at his feet you to know that we don't even deserve those good things because it was his spirit motivating in and through us to do those things for his glory. So there's the judgment seat of Christ, which has nothing to do as it were, with sin, it will have everything to do with the judgment of our works to see what was profitable and thus we warble, there is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, so that judgment seat. I will not deal with condemnation were already free forever in Christ, and we will never be condemned, but our lives will be evaluated for his glory. And those rewards will then be cast at his feet as we thank him for his work in and through our lives. So Stephen everything that you've said so far the judgment seat of Christ, that is for believers only and there's another judgment and it's really the judgment that Patty referred to in her question, which is the great white throne what's happening there good alright let's deal with that's got the great white throne we find a description of that awesome event that terrifying event in Revelation chapter 20 and verses 10 or 11 down to the end of the chapter where John in his vision sees a great white throne and him who sat on it. He says it's great by the way, in the Greek language that's Megan we get our word mega from the it's a mega throne itself is an awesome, fearful, great throne, revealing the glory of Christ's majesty. This is by the way, the only court ever convened in human history by someone whose jurisdiction is universal. In other words, the jurisdiction of Jesus is universal. Everyone will give an account who is outside of faith in him. John informed is also that the throne is white.

This symbolizes the absolute purity of his throne. There's no injustice there's no hint of of bribery there. There is an even one molecule of inequality. This is going to be sure, holy judgment are now also remember here John is calling it a throne.

This is not a stool were somebody's casually you're sitting there going to dialogue little bit.

This is a throne.

This is this is the verdict of the king that will be delivered and who sitting on it. John says him who sat upon it. In chapter 22 and verse one a reference to the throne of God and of the Lamb. This is the throne shared by God the father and God the son, then what are unique functions of God the son, Jesus Christ, is judging the unbeliever John chapter 5 in verse 22 tells us that not even the father judges anyone, but he has given all judgment to the son, that's Jesus Christ.

He's the judge upon this great white throne. By the way, my friends, you cannot have a court held by the judge if the judge is dead. This judge is not dead.

This judge rose from the dead and ascended and will be seated in the glorious splendor of his holy justice.

At this great and terrifying event. It's me just pause here.

By the way the of the irony of this is eternally significant. God the son came to die for sinners like me like you and will forgive you if you repent and ask him to redeem you and to pay that price for your sin if you don't do that while you're alive, it'll be forever too late and you will stand before this one. Who could have been your Redeemer and your Savior, and he will instead at this event become your judge and deliver a holy eternal verdict. Now Patty asked the question what are believers doing at the great white throne were not being judge. We were judged at the judgment seat of Christ for profitable things were. We are rewarded will believe it or not that great throne is surrounded by thrones, and you happen to be seated on if your believer. Paul writes to the Corinthians, is rather staggering. Revelation where he says, do you not know that the saints that is the believers will judge the world if the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts. Now the context believers are suing believers in Paul is telling them go to the church go to the leaders of the church, don't sue each other. Your your your distorting the gospel and hurting the testimony of Christ so so rendered judgment as believers in the body.

Don't go to secular courts as believers against believers and he says don't you know that you're going to one day judge the world that is judge the world of unbelievers and then he also says in that text. Do you not know that we believers will judge angels, that's a staggering revelation that we are in the future going to be seated upon these thrones, as the elders are represented in the book of Revelation as they represent to redeem the church we will we will judge the unbelieving world. We will render the verdict of the holy angels as they are rewarded for their deeds done for the glory of God. Thank you Stephen for that and thank you Patty for calling and I'm sure that that's a question that many of our listeners had the number that Patty used to call in and record that question was 910-808-9384 is our next question for today about wrecking Dan for the first time and I think that reading the question.

So my question is, according to Hebrews chapter 1, which had been studying in your camera for any profit profit department in the Old Testament there are no profit that that how do you help somebody they think they are profit without asking or saving them. That is no longer applicable. Thank you for calling Stephen yet.

Thanks, Connie only just encourage you.

Sometimes the truth is a sense of and you might not be able to tell them what you believe the Bible teaches without sending them that your purpose is not to be offensive.

So have a sweet demeanor you might smile as you speak the truth in love, but their diluted and deceived into believing that they're receiving from God.

Revelation as a prophet would receive Revelation key text to keep in mind would be first Corinthians 13.

Add that to your Hebrews chapter 1 and you're exactly right in your study of that text in Hebrews 1 in these last days he spoke to us through his son were earlier he spoke to us through the prophets verse one of Hebrews chapter 1 will add for screen is 13, 8 to 10. Love never fails. But if their gifts of prophecy. They will be done away if there are tongues, they will cease. If there is knowledge that is the word of knowledge is called by the charismatic community. It will be done away for we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. This is a this is a reference to the completion of the Canon of Scripture that is the truth of God's revelation and revelation as a book. Revelation chapter 22 ends with a. Not a semicolon. There are no more pages to add and there's no more prophecy to be revealed, were simply delivering that which was delivered to us by the prophets and apostles. Furthermore, Revelation 22 fail and we just read that John writes I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. This book refers not to just the book of Revelation, but the book of God's word. If anybody adds to them, God will add to him the plagues, which are written in this book. If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part of the tree of life and from the holy city. In other words, you're going to heaven if you knowingly distort the truth of God. If you knowingly add to the revelation of God, especially if it contradicts what God's word says you are in grave danger. So I don't know how you tell somebody, Connie, that without offending them bothering them he might lose a friend, but it certainly can serve as a warning to them. They were not interested in somebody telling us what they think God says were interested in opening our Bibles and learning what God has said to stay within the covers of this book. Stephen is the president of the seminary here in Cary, North Carolina called shepherd's theological seminary and one of the professors, Dr. Larry Pettigrew has written a book that would help you if you want to dive a little deeper into this topic Connie or any of our listeners.

The book is entitled the new covenant ministry of the Holy Spirit to be able to find that book on Amazon.com. The new covenant ministry of the Holy Spirit. Pettigrew is spelled PE TT E GR EW Larry Pettigrew encourage you to get that great resource a great book. It'll talk about the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Revelation even the tongues movement. All of these things are very confusing as people are continuing to hear new things from God which takes them away from hearing what God has already delivered. Let me give you the phone number once again to our Bible question line. It's 910-808-9384. I hope we hear from you.

If you have a question regarding the Bible or the Christian faith, and Stephen, I think we have time for one more question for you today) or North Carolina and my question is about eternal salvation. There's lots of arguments that salvation to lose your salvation. There's times I feel horribly; sometimes fear that I have lost. And I think recently, noticing words like should or could in the Bible where it swing believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you should be saved and I heard others" will be also on something that's come up recently is plotting out in the book of Revelation. If your names in the book of life.

How and if it's blotted out and you erase supply that makes sense and I just really like to hear your opinion on. Thank you very much for calling Ray Stephen I'm thinking in your 33+ years as a pastor you probably encountered many people who struggle with assurance of salvation and worry about it.

Like Reyes, absolutely because the devil wants to steal her joy.

He can have our soul our souls upon salvation are sealed by the spirit of God is the work of God in bringing us from death into life.

We are born again into the family. God's we can't be unborn and unredeemed and unsealed. The Trinity does not undo the work of God.

So what is Satan do. He brings doubts and let me encourage you, beloved, that there is a difference between doubt and unbelief. I lady come up to me not too long ago, after service in say you know I I'm just struggling. Maybe I'm not a Christian because I'm doubting. Then I looked at her and I said, also you're thinking it might be Confucius. After all, and her eyes got real wide and she said will know all I said so. So maybe your you're thinking that it's Bretz Krishna or or Buddha. That's it in a kid. She spoke to make and that she said no no no I said so. So really, you know that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Don't you she said yes I do and you you've trusted him to take you there Avenue yes I have. You just doubting whether your good enough or maybe you miss something or maybe didn't say it right. You're not doubting whether or not Jesus is God in the flesh who can take you to heaven is the only way Drew thought she said on.

I believe that that's what you can only believe that because the spirit of God to open your eyes and the salvation so you're dealing with doubts and every believer has noodling doubts from time to time. You're not struggling with unbelief and there's a vast difference by the way, you're in good stead. Because many of the great saints of the church over the years have written about their doubts everybody from John Calvin John Bunyan Thomas Watson Richard Baxter Jonathan Edwards Charles Spurgeon member Charles Spurgeon reading in one of his biographies. He heard George Mueller preach and Charles was in his well into his 40s and he wrote Mueller a note saying, having heard you preach. I now know that I am indeed saved but here he is struggling with doubts and I think of every Christian work honest. We would all admit that we struggle with doubt, to some degree or another, were not struggling with unbelief, but doubt so. Ray as you as use sin against the Lord in your conscience is smitten. The devil will tell you all you you can be a believer because a believer wouldn't do that will go read the book of James and find out what believers are capable of doing. We don't trust our salvation to how good we are, what kind a week.

We had do we miss devotions or do we have it for days in a row. We trust the perfection of Christ we understand as sinners that we depend entirely upon the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.

So never get beyond your horror of sin never get beyond the guilt you feel over sinning against the Lord you love but just make sure you run back to that fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel's veins and sinners plunge beneath its flood lose all their guilty stain go back to the cross over and over again as an older believer, I can tell you that I am more aware of my sinfulness than when I began my ministry in my late 20s are more aware today of how wretched I am and how easily I am given to the flesh, and to send so I need to go to that cleansing fountain for fellowship, not salvation, but fellowship over and over again, thank you Steven and one of Ray's specific questions and it may actually relate to a translation that he uses, but he's worried or wondering, does the Bible say that we may be saved or doesn't say that we will be safe yet is a good question generate of amazed at how people twiddle with the truth and come up with all sorts of strange interpretations, and even translations you referred to acts chapter 16 and I love that tax because the Philippian jailer is is under conviction.

He's been hearing Paul and Silas preach and then he heard her concert there duets you know there at midnight and and that that earthquake takes place chains fall off all the prisoners and he assumes he's got a good kill himself rather than be tortured by their own government and then killed because that's what happens when you let prisoners escape and Paul hollers out. They were all here don't harm yourself.

And that's that.

Does it. He comes, the polity says okay and I'm paraphrasing here, but I've heard your message. I know you represent. Now you're not running like anybody else would do. I want to be saved. What must I do to be like you, what must I do to be saved.

That word saved in the Greek language means to be rescued to be delivered and Paul answers very clearly. I love it. He doesn't say we need to be baptized.

No hidden, so you need to join the church know you need to turn over new leaf start doing good stuff be a better jailer. No none of that. He says the condition is very simple.

Believe in the Lord Jesus believe in trust in submit to confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord. Believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead as Paul later said in Romans chapter 10 and you will be saved. Let me go back to acts 16 exactly what did Paul say to this jailer, the jailer sisters what must I do to be saved and he says believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved and by the way that's not you might be. Or you can be, but you will be in in the Greek language and I don't want to put anybody asleep out there, but in the Greek languages. This is the second person singular future indicative which means you will be not you might be there. No if's and's or but it's you shall be you will be upon that condition of faith in Jesus saved deal delivered and that is once for all.

Steven and the moments that we have left what it what is this, promise me that our names won't be blotted out of this book yeah good point was, and without Revelation chapter 3 is what he is referring to Ray referenced.

He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments, and I will not erase his name from the book of life. I will confess his name before my father and before his angels. This is at the conclusion of this message.

This letter to the church in Sardis.

By the way, it might cause you to think that because they receive a letter everybody there is saved in the church but pay attention to how their address that the opening he says I know your deeds, you have a name you're alive, but your dad so there are unbelievers in this church unsaved. Also note he says he will overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments, and I will not erase his name from the book of life will who is the one who overcomes, while John tells us in first John chapter 5 for whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that is overcome the world. Our faith, who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the son of God. So if you believe, just like the Philippian jailer of the Jesus is the way he's giving a promise you will never have your name blotted out of the book of life.

This is not for head. He's not saying this because it's a possibility he saying this because it's a promise.

When you place your faith in Jesus.

You never have to worry or wonder if your name will ever be blotted out because he says I'll never blotted out the devil comes red twist that stands it upside down and says, oh, this is a threat. It isn't a threat it's given as a pledge in view of our redemption to the praise of God's glory.

This is a wonderful promise John chapter 10. Another verse of their verse 27, 28 and 29. No one is able to snatch them out of my father's and nobody can take you away. He's gonna blot your name that you believed in the Lord Jesus as your Savior and your sealed by the spirit of God.

Ephesians 113 and 14, no one can break the seal of the promise. You can't lose your salvation. You can't lose it by being bad because you didn't get it by being good, you got it by admitting your bad and you trusted in the one whose perfect, who died for your sin. Thank you Steven that is good news and thank you so much Ray for calling in all that you called, we are out of time today but I'm so glad you joined us here on wisdom from the heart with Stephen Devi. If we can help you today. Please give us a call at 86 648 Bible on Mondays broadcast. We will get back to Stephen study through the second chapter of Philippians. A study called humility. Have a great weekend and join us Monday right here on wisdom for the heart