The Issue of Accountability. Part [10] 08/18/2024 (Morning thought)

Mark 1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 Saying, leave us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

Mark 1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, hold thy peace, and come out of him. 26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, what thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commands he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

In fact, Isaiah makes a grim prediction of the times coming soon when The God of heaven will use force and after studying the prophecy closely, we are not sure how many saints would want to be alive at that time. Daniel also refers to it as a time when Michael will stand up, or better known as the time of Jacob’s trouble.

[ST January 25, 1910] The forbearance that God has exercised toward the wicked has emboldened men in transgression; but their punishment will be none the less certain and terrible for being long delayed. To our merciful God the act of punishment is a strange act. Yet He will “by no means clear the guilty.” By terrible things in righteousness, He will vindicate the authority of His downtrodden law.

Isaiah 28:21 For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth, as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act. 22 Now therefore be you not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

The Issue of Accountability. Part [9] 08/18/2024 (Evening thought)

Romans 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shews mercy.

In fact, Romans chapter nine raises the prospect that God reserves the right, and the prerogative to use force, whenever necessary, if He so chooses, for as we’ve studied previously, even though God never hardened pharaoh’s heart the apostle Paul raises the prospect that God reserves the right to do so. That’s one of the reasons why Romans chapter nine is so difficult for theologians to swallow, because it is hard for persons to believe that A loving God, can, and will use force when needed.

In fact, if you were to look at how Christ cast out devils you will observe that He never kindly asks them to leave. If Jesus were to ask devils to leave a person they will never leave and therefore, in every instance without any exception, Jesus used force to cast them out. In other words, His commands did not come with any options. They were forced to leave.

Matthew 8: 28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, what have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? (Torment meaning: cause to experience severe mental or physical suffering.} Here it is again so that folks may come to correct conclusions.

Mark 9: 25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!