Shalom Aleichem...
Reflections is a weekly Christian Teaching Ministry. Each week we will talk about the Bible and lessons we can put to use in our daily life. We will try to, on a weekly basis, provide to you stories, thoughts, and just easy ways to live your life on a straight path.
THIS WEEK'S TEACHING....May 24, 2021
As we continue our look at the Old Testament, this week, we delve into the 3rd Commandment of God.
The Third Commandment reminds us to honor God in our manner of worship and living. We are to worship and live in reverence and humility, not misusing God's name, for His name means salvation to those who believe.“Revering God’s Name” Exodus 20:7
We have been studying some of the threads of the Gospel in the Old Testament as the Drama of God’s salvation has unfolded throughout history. We are looking at the Ten Commandments and this week, we examine the third commandment from Exodus 20:7...
"And God spoke all these words, saying: 2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. 7 "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”
God’s Name is to be Honored
Some lines from Shakespeare are very renowned and used often. Juliet says this to Romeo: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other word would smell as sweet.” (“A rose by any name smells the same.”) For the people in Shakespeare’s story, a name was insignificant for Romeo and Juliet compared to their deep relationship, but that is not the case with God’s Name. The third commandment given to us by the One True Holy God is this: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” If you believe in the God who created all things and revealed Himself as the “I AM” God, then He alone is to be worshiped. The Everlasting Almighty Holy God teaches the manner in which He is to be worshiped and that His name is to be revered and honored.
The ancient Hebrew scribes took this commandment so seriously that whenever they wrote God’s name, they would wash their hands before and after transcribing it. After 200 AD, Jews would not even speak God’s Name for fear of breaking the third commandment. What a contrast to today’s society where OMG is habitually used in texts and used in TV and movies so often that it sickens the heart. (“Oh, my God” is the expression and I don’t even like to use it as an illustration. Some other euphemisms are “golly”, “gee”, “Oh my gosh”, “doggone”.)
God’s choice of Hebrew words in this commandment is very important in helping us to understand this command; Let me explain some of the words used in this verse.
1. “The Hebrew word “nasa”, translated “you shall not take," means to “lift up”. It is widely used to describe “willful misuse or manipulation of an item or idea.” It is used both figuratively and literally. Here are some of the ways it is used: to lift up your hand in taking an oath, to lift up one’s head as in restoration to honor or joy, to lift up the eyes as in love or desire of men or of God, to lift up your voice as in weeping, praying or singing. Another way it is used is in “carrying” guilt or punishment, but the third category of the same word stressed “the taking away” or forgiveness of sin and guilt.) The idea is this: Do not “lift up” God’s Name inappropriately. Do not misuse His Name.
2. “The Hebrew word for "name," “shem”, also means reputation, fame or glory. “Name” in the Old Testament included a description of character and set one person apart from another. The word, “shem”, also suggests something high or elevated, implying that God’s name is majestic and excellent. Psalm 8:9 proclaims that truth: “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” God’s name marks Him as the most outstanding in all of the universe. His name signifies everything about His glorious nature, His reputation and character, and distinctiveness, setting Him apart from all other beings as the Only One Eternal and Everlasting God; God’s very essence is concentrated in His name.
3. Misusing the name of God is clarified by the final phrase "in vain," translated from the Hebrew word “shav”; “Shav” is a noun meaning "emptiness, nothingness, vanity, emptiness of speech, lying, or worthlessness." Using the Lord’s name “in vain” is to speak of God with irreverence or disrespect, speaking of God in an unworthy or frivolous manner. The name of the Lord is holy in that same way that He is holy. His name is a representation of His glory, His majesty, and His supreme deity. We are to esteem and honor His name as we revere and glorify God Himself. To do any less is to take His name in vain.
“There is a larger sense in which people today take the Lord’s name in vain. Those who name the name of Christ, who pray in His name, and who take His name as part of their identity, but who deliberately and continually disobey His commands, are taking His name in vain. Jesus Christ has been given the name above all names, at which every knee shall bow (Philippians 2:9-10), and when we take the name “Christian” upon ourselves, we must do so with an understanding of all that signifies. If we profess to be Christians, but act, think, and speak in a worldly or profane manner, we take His name in vain. When we misrepresent Christ, either intentionally or through ignorance of the Christian faith as proclaimed in Scripture, we take the Lord’s name in vain. When we say we love Him, but do not do what He commands (Luke 6:46), we take His name in vain and are in danger of hearing Him say to us, “I never knew you. Away from me” in the day of judgment. (Matthew 7:21-23)
God’s Name Means salvation
This commandment contains far more than warning the occasional “slip of the tongue.” Remember the context of God’s giving of the Ten Commandments. Yahweh is the one and only God who created the earth, The God who revealed Himself mightily to Israel as their Saving God, the “I am who I am”, Yahweh/Jehovah God, so for the Hebrews at Sinai and for believers everywhere, God’s name means salvation.
I want to give just 2 examples in the Old Testament. Psalm 18:46 says: “The LORD (Yahweh) liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God (Elohim) of my salvation be exalted.” (Elohim is the first name used of God in the Bible, used over 2300 times. The shortened form of this word is “EL” and it is used an additional 200 times.) The LORD, Yahweh, is the God of my salvation. Any reference to God should be reverent and respectful because it is God who saves.
Isaiah 12:2 reads: “Behold, God (EL) is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; 'For Yah,(shortened form for Yahweh) the LORD (YHWH), is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.' " The various names which God uses throughout scripture are all to be revered because He is the One who saves.
Jesus taught his disciples to pray in Matthew 6:9-10, Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” "Hallowing” God’s name exalts not only the name of the Lord, but everything that God has ever done. Hallowing God’s name creates an attitude and mindset of Him, a submission to His will as God, that is sustained not only in worship, but in everything we do and say. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17, 23-24). Where God's name is hallowed, God is loved and revered. Where His Name is hallowed, His kingdom is eagerly anticipated, and His will obeyed. God's name speaks of more than a title such as "God," "Lord," or "Jehovah." It speaks of God Himself and is the composite of all His attributes. “Hallowed be Thy Name.”
Jesus identified with God’s Name, His character, and purposes. In John 10:14 He said: “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” Psalm 23 says: “The LORD is my shepherd.” Jesus says: “I AM the good shepherd.” Jesus, therefore, is the I AM of the Old Testament. He is the LORD of the New Testament. He is our Salvation.
Later in John10:24 we read: “Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. 30 I and My Father are one."
All of the “I AM statements” by Jesus call His followers to consecrate His Name as well. Since Jesus is the I AM of the New Testament, His name is to be hallowed as well. There is no name under Heaven by which men can be saved. Speaking of Jesus in Acts 4: 11-12, Peter said: “This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Look at Romans 10:9-13 with me: "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Here Paul quotes Joel 2:32.)
Humbly calling on the name of the LORD Jesus Christ and believing in everything that He is is the proof of the gift of God’s saving faith. Those who have received such faith love and honor His Name because His Name is forgiveness, life and salvation.
Believers Exalt God’s Name, Not Defame
The third commandment is in the negative, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD your God in vain” but it is just as important for believers to NOT defame God’s Name but to Exalt His Name. Because God is holy, magnificent, majestic, all powerful and wise, sovereign, merciful, just, righteous, gracious and loving, this God deserves our highest respect and our humble obedience. It would do us well to Worship this God through Scripture. Take some of the psalms and songs of praise in God’s Word and make them your own.
Give them to God through prayer and worship. Since it is God’s Holy inspired Word, it is the best form of worship and the best teacher in leading us the manner of worship which is acceptable to the Lord God Almighty.
Another way to properly exalt God is to meditate on the names of God which reveal to us His character. Take time to do this alone and with others. God inhabits the praise of His people and meditating on His person and His perfect character causes us to grow in faith and in worship.
Disciplining ourselves in time with God gives Him priority in our lives as we acknowledge who He is. It helps us to live consciously, “coram Deo” (“before God”), that we are always living before the very presence and face of God. Approaching Him with a reverent, humble spirit causes us to yield more fully to His will for us as we know Him better. As we do that, God will hallow (honor) His name through us. Our God deserves our highest respect, reverence, obedience and service. He is our gracious and loving Father and Savior, but He is also the sovereign, majestic God of the universe, and He must be esteemed as such by those whom He has graciously saved.
“Lord, help us to give to you the honor which you deserve, in our worship and in our lives. In your precious saving name, we pray. Amen
As we continue our look at the Old Testament, this week, we delve into the 3rd Commandment of God.
The Third Commandment reminds us to honor God in our manner of worship and living. We are to worship and live in reverence and humility, not misusing God's name, for His name means salvation to those who believe.“Revering God’s Name” Exodus 20:7
We have been studying some of the threads of the Gospel in the Old Testament as the Drama of God’s salvation has unfolded throughout history. We are looking at the Ten Commandments and this week, we examine the third commandment from Exodus 20:7...
"And God spoke all these words, saying: 2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. 7 "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”
God’s Name is to be Honored
Some lines from Shakespeare are very renowned and used often. Juliet says this to Romeo: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other word would smell as sweet.” (“A rose by any name smells the same.”) For the people in Shakespeare’s story, a name was insignificant for Romeo and Juliet compared to their deep relationship, but that is not the case with God’s Name. The third commandment given to us by the One True Holy God is this: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” If you believe in the God who created all things and revealed Himself as the “I AM” God, then He alone is to be worshiped. The Everlasting Almighty Holy God teaches the manner in which He is to be worshiped and that His name is to be revered and honored.
The ancient Hebrew scribes took this commandment so seriously that whenever they wrote God’s name, they would wash their hands before and after transcribing it. After 200 AD, Jews would not even speak God’s Name for fear of breaking the third commandment. What a contrast to today’s society where OMG is habitually used in texts and used in TV and movies so often that it sickens the heart. (“Oh, my God” is the expression and I don’t even like to use it as an illustration. Some other euphemisms are “golly”, “gee”, “Oh my gosh”, “doggone”.)
God’s choice of Hebrew words in this commandment is very important in helping us to understand this command; Let me explain some of the words used in this verse.
1. “The Hebrew word “nasa”, translated “you shall not take," means to “lift up”. It is widely used to describe “willful misuse or manipulation of an item or idea.” It is used both figuratively and literally. Here are some of the ways it is used: to lift up your hand in taking an oath, to lift up one’s head as in restoration to honor or joy, to lift up the eyes as in love or desire of men or of God, to lift up your voice as in weeping, praying or singing. Another way it is used is in “carrying” guilt or punishment, but the third category of the same word stressed “the taking away” or forgiveness of sin and guilt.) The idea is this: Do not “lift up” God’s Name inappropriately. Do not misuse His Name.
2. “The Hebrew word for "name," “shem”, also means reputation, fame or glory. “Name” in the Old Testament included a description of character and set one person apart from another. The word, “shem”, also suggests something high or elevated, implying that God’s name is majestic and excellent. Psalm 8:9 proclaims that truth: “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” God’s name marks Him as the most outstanding in all of the universe. His name signifies everything about His glorious nature, His reputation and character, and distinctiveness, setting Him apart from all other beings as the Only One Eternal and Everlasting God; God’s very essence is concentrated in His name.
3. Misusing the name of God is clarified by the final phrase "in vain," translated from the Hebrew word “shav”; “Shav” is a noun meaning "emptiness, nothingness, vanity, emptiness of speech, lying, or worthlessness." Using the Lord’s name “in vain” is to speak of God with irreverence or disrespect, speaking of God in an unworthy or frivolous manner. The name of the Lord is holy in that same way that He is holy. His name is a representation of His glory, His majesty, and His supreme deity. We are to esteem and honor His name as we revere and glorify God Himself. To do any less is to take His name in vain.
“There is a larger sense in which people today take the Lord’s name in vain. Those who name the name of Christ, who pray in His name, and who take His name as part of their identity, but who deliberately and continually disobey His commands, are taking His name in vain. Jesus Christ has been given the name above all names, at which every knee shall bow (Philippians 2:9-10), and when we take the name “Christian” upon ourselves, we must do so with an understanding of all that signifies. If we profess to be Christians, but act, think, and speak in a worldly or profane manner, we take His name in vain. When we misrepresent Christ, either intentionally or through ignorance of the Christian faith as proclaimed in Scripture, we take the Lord’s name in vain. When we say we love Him, but do not do what He commands (Luke 6:46), we take His name in vain and are in danger of hearing Him say to us, “I never knew you. Away from me” in the day of judgment. (Matthew 7:21-23)
God’s Name Means salvation
This commandment contains far more than warning the occasional “slip of the tongue.” Remember the context of God’s giving of the Ten Commandments. Yahweh is the one and only God who created the earth, The God who revealed Himself mightily to Israel as their Saving God, the “I am who I am”, Yahweh/Jehovah God, so for the Hebrews at Sinai and for believers everywhere, God’s name means salvation.
I want to give just 2 examples in the Old Testament. Psalm 18:46 says: “The LORD (Yahweh) liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God (Elohim) of my salvation be exalted.” (Elohim is the first name used of God in the Bible, used over 2300 times. The shortened form of this word is “EL” and it is used an additional 200 times.) The LORD, Yahweh, is the God of my salvation. Any reference to God should be reverent and respectful because it is God who saves.
Isaiah 12:2 reads: “Behold, God (EL) is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; 'For Yah,(shortened form for Yahweh) the LORD (YHWH), is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.' " The various names which God uses throughout scripture are all to be revered because He is the One who saves.
Jesus taught his disciples to pray in Matthew 6:9-10, Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” "Hallowing” God’s name exalts not only the name of the Lord, but everything that God has ever done. Hallowing God’s name creates an attitude and mindset of Him, a submission to His will as God, that is sustained not only in worship, but in everything we do and say. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17, 23-24). Where God's name is hallowed, God is loved and revered. Where His Name is hallowed, His kingdom is eagerly anticipated, and His will obeyed. God's name speaks of more than a title such as "God," "Lord," or "Jehovah." It speaks of God Himself and is the composite of all His attributes. “Hallowed be Thy Name.”
Jesus identified with God’s Name, His character, and purposes. In John 10:14 He said: “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” Psalm 23 says: “The LORD is my shepherd.” Jesus says: “I AM the good shepherd.” Jesus, therefore, is the I AM of the Old Testament. He is the LORD of the New Testament. He is our Salvation.
Later in John10:24 we read: “Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. 30 I and My Father are one."
All of the “I AM statements” by Jesus call His followers to consecrate His Name as well. Since Jesus is the I AM of the New Testament, His name is to be hallowed as well. There is no name under Heaven by which men can be saved. Speaking of Jesus in Acts 4: 11-12, Peter said: “This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Look at Romans 10:9-13 with me: "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Here Paul quotes Joel 2:32.)
Humbly calling on the name of the LORD Jesus Christ and believing in everything that He is is the proof of the gift of God’s saving faith. Those who have received such faith love and honor His Name because His Name is forgiveness, life and salvation.
Believers Exalt God’s Name, Not Defame
The third commandment is in the negative, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD your God in vain” but it is just as important for believers to NOT defame God’s Name but to Exalt His Name. Because God is holy, magnificent, majestic, all powerful and wise, sovereign, merciful, just, righteous, gracious and loving, this God deserves our highest respect and our humble obedience. It would do us well to Worship this God through Scripture. Take some of the psalms and songs of praise in God’s Word and make them your own.
Give them to God through prayer and worship. Since it is God’s Holy inspired Word, it is the best form of worship and the best teacher in leading us the manner of worship which is acceptable to the Lord God Almighty.
Another way to properly exalt God is to meditate on the names of God which reveal to us His character. Take time to do this alone and with others. God inhabits the praise of His people and meditating on His person and His perfect character causes us to grow in faith and in worship.
Disciplining ourselves in time with God gives Him priority in our lives as we acknowledge who He is. It helps us to live consciously, “coram Deo” (“before God”), that we are always living before the very presence and face of God. Approaching Him with a reverent, humble spirit causes us to yield more fully to His will for us as we know Him better. As we do that, God will hallow (honor) His name through us. Our God deserves our highest respect, reverence, obedience and service. He is our gracious and loving Father and Savior, but He is also the sovereign, majestic God of the universe, and He must be esteemed as such by those whom He has graciously saved.
“Lord, help us to give to you the honor which you deserve, in our worship and in our lives. In your precious saving name, we pray. Amen
QUESTIONS CHRISTIANS WANT ANSWERED....
This is a difficult question and answer however it must be addressed in our lives.....
"Will there be a second chance for salvation after death?"
While the idea of a second chance for salvation is appealing, the Bible is clear that death is the end of all chances. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that we die, and then face judgment. So, as long as a person is alive, he has a second, third, fourth, fifth, etc. chance to accept Christ and be saved (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31). Once a person dies, there are no more chances. The idea of purgatory, a place where people go after death to pay for their sins, has no biblical basis, but is rather a tradition of the Roman Catholic Church.
To understand what happens to nonbelievers after they die, we go to Revelation 20:11-15 which describes the Great White Throne judgment. Here takes place the opening of the books and “the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” The books contain all the thoughts and deeds of those being judged, and we know from Romans 3:20 that “by the works of the Law is no flesh justified.” Therefore, all who are judged by their works and thoughts are condemned to hell. Believers in Christ, on the other hand, are not judged by the books of works, but their names are found written in another book—the “Lamb’s Book of Life” (Revelation 21:27). These are the ones who have believed on the Lord Jesus, and they alone will be allowed to enter heaven.
The key to understanding this is the Lamb’s Book of Life. Anyone whose name is written in this book was “saved before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4) by God’s sovereign saving grace to be part of His Son’s bride, the church of Jesus Christ. These people need no “second chance” at salvation because their salvation has been secured by Christ. He chose us, He saved us, and He will keep us saved. Nothing can separate us from Christ (Romans 8:39). Those for whom He died will be saved because Jesus will see to it. He declared “all that the Father has given me will come to me” (John 6:37), and “I give to them eternal life, and they shall never ever perish, and not anyone shall pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:28). For believers, there is no need for a second chance because the first chance is sufficient.
What about those who do not believe? Wouldn’t they repent and believe if they were given a second chance? The answer is no, they would not because their hearts are not changed simply because they die. Their hearts and minds “are at enmity” against God and won’t accept Him even when they see Him face to face. This is evidenced clearly in the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. If ever someone should have repented when given a second chance to see clearly the truth, it was the rich man. But although he was in torment in hell, he only asked that Abraham send Lazarus back to earth to warn his brothers so they didn’t have to suffer the same fate. There was no repentance in his heart, only regret for where he found himself. Abraham’s answer says it all: “And he said to him, If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded, even though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:31). Here we see that the witness of the Scriptures is sufficient for salvation for those who believe it, and no other revelation will bring about salvation to those who do not. No second, third, or fourth chances would be enough to turn the heart of stone into a heart of flesh.
Philippians 2:10-11 declares “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” One day, everyone will bow before Jesus and recognize that He is the Lord and Savior. At that point, though, it will be too late for salvation. After death, all that remains for the unbeliever is judgment (Revelation 20:14-15). That is why we must trust in Him in this life.
This is a difficult question and answer however it must be addressed in our lives.....
"Will there be a second chance for salvation after death?"
While the idea of a second chance for salvation is appealing, the Bible is clear that death is the end of all chances. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that we die, and then face judgment. So, as long as a person is alive, he has a second, third, fourth, fifth, etc. chance to accept Christ and be saved (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31). Once a person dies, there are no more chances. The idea of purgatory, a place where people go after death to pay for their sins, has no biblical basis, but is rather a tradition of the Roman Catholic Church.
To understand what happens to nonbelievers after they die, we go to Revelation 20:11-15 which describes the Great White Throne judgment. Here takes place the opening of the books and “the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” The books contain all the thoughts and deeds of those being judged, and we know from Romans 3:20 that “by the works of the Law is no flesh justified.” Therefore, all who are judged by their works and thoughts are condemned to hell. Believers in Christ, on the other hand, are not judged by the books of works, but their names are found written in another book—the “Lamb’s Book of Life” (Revelation 21:27). These are the ones who have believed on the Lord Jesus, and they alone will be allowed to enter heaven.
The key to understanding this is the Lamb’s Book of Life. Anyone whose name is written in this book was “saved before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4) by God’s sovereign saving grace to be part of His Son’s bride, the church of Jesus Christ. These people need no “second chance” at salvation because their salvation has been secured by Christ. He chose us, He saved us, and He will keep us saved. Nothing can separate us from Christ (Romans 8:39). Those for whom He died will be saved because Jesus will see to it. He declared “all that the Father has given me will come to me” (John 6:37), and “I give to them eternal life, and they shall never ever perish, and not anyone shall pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:28). For believers, there is no need for a second chance because the first chance is sufficient.
What about those who do not believe? Wouldn’t they repent and believe if they were given a second chance? The answer is no, they would not because their hearts are not changed simply because they die. Their hearts and minds “are at enmity” against God and won’t accept Him even when they see Him face to face. This is evidenced clearly in the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. If ever someone should have repented when given a second chance to see clearly the truth, it was the rich man. But although he was in torment in hell, he only asked that Abraham send Lazarus back to earth to warn his brothers so they didn’t have to suffer the same fate. There was no repentance in his heart, only regret for where he found himself. Abraham’s answer says it all: “And he said to him, If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded, even though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:31). Here we see that the witness of the Scriptures is sufficient for salvation for those who believe it, and no other revelation will bring about salvation to those who do not. No second, third, or fourth chances would be enough to turn the heart of stone into a heart of flesh.
Philippians 2:10-11 declares “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” One day, everyone will bow before Jesus and recognize that He is the Lord and Savior. At that point, though, it will be too late for salvation. After death, all that remains for the unbeliever is judgment (Revelation 20:14-15). That is why we must trust in Him in this life.
BOOKS OF THE BIBLE...A TEACHING
I get a lot of questions on this topic....For Whom Was the Old Testament Written? People will ask if the OT pertains to us today and I can answer in one word...YES!!!
Because the Old Testament is the inspired Word of God, in the broadest sense these books were written for every one of us. That is why God made these books available to us thousands of years after they were written. But from the human authors’ point of view, these books were written to a specific audience—their own contemporaries—and for a specific purpose: to meet a need at that time. In this sense, the original audience for the books of the Old Testament was the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people.
The earliest books of the Old Testament, Genesis through Deuteronomy, were written by Moses for the brand-new nation of Israel in the forty years following the exodus. One reason Moses wrote them is because Israel needed to know their God who had just delivered them from enslavement and declared himself to be the King of this new nation. They needed to know that he was the creator of all things, thus Genesis 1–2. They needed to know that he had entered into a covenant relationship with their forefather Abraham and that this covenant was passed on to his descendants—Isaac, Jacob, and his twelve sons, thus Genesis 12–50.
They also needed to know what he, as their King, expected of them, thus the many laws in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. It was also important for them to know that even though all the people around them—the people of Egypt, where they had come from, and the people of Canaan, where they were going—believed in many gods, Israel’s God and King was the one and only true God. Thus, the plagues described in Exodus 9 showed the gods of Egypt not to be real gods (Exodus 9:27), and the Israelites were commanded not to worship any other gods (Exodus 20:2–3).
Another reason Moses wrote these books was because the new nation of Israel needed to know their relationship to the one true God. They were in an eternal covenant with God because they were the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And because God was a holy God, they were to be holy people; they were to reflect God’s nature. This included being loyal to him in their covenant relationship with him and in obeying the laws he had given them.
The books of history were also written for the nation of Israel, but centuries later than the books of Moses, and with the specific purpose of demonstrating historically that God meant what he said in the Law: He would bless them for their obedience and curse them for their disobedience. Tragically, these books also chronicle the perpetual slide of God’s people into increasing sinfulness, and therefore provided the reason for Israel’s eventual exile from the land God had given to them. This was exactly what God had said he would do.
The books of poetry were originally written to Israel as well. Their purpose was to teach them to be wise and provide means by which they could appropriately pray to, and worship, God. In fact, most of the psalms have an audience in addition to humans, and that is God himself. They were initially inspired by God for Israel, but more specifically they were to be used by Israel to communicate with God in the right way through prayer and worship. These are God-given models for all of God’s people. They help us to be open and honest with God as we speak to him and express our genuine thoughts, emotions, and attitudes. Thus we have psalms that help us express our joy, happiness, thankfulness to, and adoration of, God. We also have psalms that help us express our frustration, loneliness, despair, anger (even toward God).
The prophetic books, too, were initially written for the nation of Israel, but at a time when they were particularly sinful and wandering further and further away from God. The specific purpose of these books was to confront Israel with their sinfulness and to call them to repentance, faithfulness to God, and obedience to God. The alternative would be to experience the judgment of God.
Sometimes, the prophets’ message might imply that the audience was a specific Gentile nation or the Gentile nations in general, but even then the message was really intended for God’s people, the Israelites. For example, there are two prophetic books that had to do with God’s intention to judge the city of Nineveh (the Assyrians). The book of Jonah is about the prophet Jonah, whom God directed to go to Nineveh to announce impending divine judgment. Jonah didn’t want to do this because he feared they would repent and then experience God’s forgiveness rather than his wrath. So he tried to escape the responsibility, but God chased him down and gave him a second chance. Jonah did obey the second time, but with resentment, and the Ninevites did indeed repent just as he had feared (Jonah 4:2). The main point of this book, however, is not the sin of Nineveh or the repentance of Nineveh, nor is it about futile attempts to run away from God. Rather, the point is to confront the attitude of God’s people in Judah toward non-Jews, as illustrated by Jonah himself. They had come to believe that God was only for the Jews and that he wanted to bless only them, and that anybody else (people they referred to as Gentiles), especially those as cruel and arrogant as the Assyrians, only deserved God’s judgment. They had forgotten that God wanted to bless all nations through them (Genesis 12:3). God’s message for Israel in the book of Jonah, then, was to love and care about all people, just as God does.
About a century later, the Ninevites had returned to their sinful ways, and God again intended to judge them. That is the main theme of the book of Nahum (1:1, 8–11). But again, the intended audience was not Nineveh, but God’s chosen people, Israel. The purpose was to bring them comfort by knowing that God would judge the Ninevites because of their cruelty and abuse of God’s people. In fact, the prophet’s name, Nahum, means “comfort.” That comfort can be heard in 1:15: “Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news [the Assyrians have fallen], who proclaims peace [because the Assyrians are no longer a threat]! Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed” (compare 3:19). The point is that you shouldn’t mess with God’s people, and that God wants his people to know that he will right the wrongs that have been committed against them.
The Old Testament books were originally written for God’s Old Testament covenant people, Israel, at various times in history and for various reasons. But in God’s broader perspective, these books contain important truths and great lessons for all people of all time.
I don’t know this to be a fact, but I suspect that the authors of the books of the Old Testament would never have dreamed that people around the world would be continuing to read what they wrote, even thousands of years later. God knew this, but I think the writers would have been absolutely amazed by it. Yes, the Old Testament is meant to be read and followed, family:)
HAVE A SAFE AND BLESSED WEEK:)
Ho'omaikaʻi ka Pua iā kākou
I get a lot of questions on this topic....For Whom Was the Old Testament Written? People will ask if the OT pertains to us today and I can answer in one word...YES!!!
Because the Old Testament is the inspired Word of God, in the broadest sense these books were written for every one of us. That is why God made these books available to us thousands of years after they were written. But from the human authors’ point of view, these books were written to a specific audience—their own contemporaries—and for a specific purpose: to meet a need at that time. In this sense, the original audience for the books of the Old Testament was the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people.
The earliest books of the Old Testament, Genesis through Deuteronomy, were written by Moses for the brand-new nation of Israel in the forty years following the exodus. One reason Moses wrote them is because Israel needed to know their God who had just delivered them from enslavement and declared himself to be the King of this new nation. They needed to know that he was the creator of all things, thus Genesis 1–2. They needed to know that he had entered into a covenant relationship with their forefather Abraham and that this covenant was passed on to his descendants—Isaac, Jacob, and his twelve sons, thus Genesis 12–50.
They also needed to know what he, as their King, expected of them, thus the many laws in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. It was also important for them to know that even though all the people around them—the people of Egypt, where they had come from, and the people of Canaan, where they were going—believed in many gods, Israel’s God and King was the one and only true God. Thus, the plagues described in Exodus 9 showed the gods of Egypt not to be real gods (Exodus 9:27), and the Israelites were commanded not to worship any other gods (Exodus 20:2–3).
Another reason Moses wrote these books was because the new nation of Israel needed to know their relationship to the one true God. They were in an eternal covenant with God because they were the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And because God was a holy God, they were to be holy people; they were to reflect God’s nature. This included being loyal to him in their covenant relationship with him and in obeying the laws he had given them.
The books of history were also written for the nation of Israel, but centuries later than the books of Moses, and with the specific purpose of demonstrating historically that God meant what he said in the Law: He would bless them for their obedience and curse them for their disobedience. Tragically, these books also chronicle the perpetual slide of God’s people into increasing sinfulness, and therefore provided the reason for Israel’s eventual exile from the land God had given to them. This was exactly what God had said he would do.
The books of poetry were originally written to Israel as well. Their purpose was to teach them to be wise and provide means by which they could appropriately pray to, and worship, God. In fact, most of the psalms have an audience in addition to humans, and that is God himself. They were initially inspired by God for Israel, but more specifically they were to be used by Israel to communicate with God in the right way through prayer and worship. These are God-given models for all of God’s people. They help us to be open and honest with God as we speak to him and express our genuine thoughts, emotions, and attitudes. Thus we have psalms that help us express our joy, happiness, thankfulness to, and adoration of, God. We also have psalms that help us express our frustration, loneliness, despair, anger (even toward God).
The prophetic books, too, were initially written for the nation of Israel, but at a time when they were particularly sinful and wandering further and further away from God. The specific purpose of these books was to confront Israel with their sinfulness and to call them to repentance, faithfulness to God, and obedience to God. The alternative would be to experience the judgment of God.
Sometimes, the prophets’ message might imply that the audience was a specific Gentile nation or the Gentile nations in general, but even then the message was really intended for God’s people, the Israelites. For example, there are two prophetic books that had to do with God’s intention to judge the city of Nineveh (the Assyrians). The book of Jonah is about the prophet Jonah, whom God directed to go to Nineveh to announce impending divine judgment. Jonah didn’t want to do this because he feared they would repent and then experience God’s forgiveness rather than his wrath. So he tried to escape the responsibility, but God chased him down and gave him a second chance. Jonah did obey the second time, but with resentment, and the Ninevites did indeed repent just as he had feared (Jonah 4:2). The main point of this book, however, is not the sin of Nineveh or the repentance of Nineveh, nor is it about futile attempts to run away from God. Rather, the point is to confront the attitude of God’s people in Judah toward non-Jews, as illustrated by Jonah himself. They had come to believe that God was only for the Jews and that he wanted to bless only them, and that anybody else (people they referred to as Gentiles), especially those as cruel and arrogant as the Assyrians, only deserved God’s judgment. They had forgotten that God wanted to bless all nations through them (Genesis 12:3). God’s message for Israel in the book of Jonah, then, was to love and care about all people, just as God does.
About a century later, the Ninevites had returned to their sinful ways, and God again intended to judge them. That is the main theme of the book of Nahum (1:1, 8–11). But again, the intended audience was not Nineveh, but God’s chosen people, Israel. The purpose was to bring them comfort by knowing that God would judge the Ninevites because of their cruelty and abuse of God’s people. In fact, the prophet’s name, Nahum, means “comfort.” That comfort can be heard in 1:15: “Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news [the Assyrians have fallen], who proclaims peace [because the Assyrians are no longer a threat]! Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed” (compare 3:19). The point is that you shouldn’t mess with God’s people, and that God wants his people to know that he will right the wrongs that have been committed against them.
The Old Testament books were originally written for God’s Old Testament covenant people, Israel, at various times in history and for various reasons. But in God’s broader perspective, these books contain important truths and great lessons for all people of all time.
I don’t know this to be a fact, but I suspect that the authors of the books of the Old Testament would never have dreamed that people around the world would be continuing to read what they wrote, even thousands of years later. God knew this, but I think the writers would have been absolutely amazed by it. Yes, the Old Testament is meant to be read and followed, family:)
HAVE A SAFE AND BLESSED WEEK:)
Ho'omaikaʻi ka Pua iā kākou