Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

I can see how you think that you’re right,” Isaac confesses. “But N.T. Wright, my professors and virtually all the published Bible scholars say you’re wrong. Why don't they agree with you if you are so right? They have studied the Bible more than you.”

Adam replies quickly. “I don't know why others that read the Bible fail to see what I see so clearly. Maybe that would be a good question for them,” Adam leans forward, resting his elbows on the large steering wheel as he stares ahead through the windshield. “I may not know much, but I do know what I read. Does the Bible contradict itself? I don't believe it will and I thought you believed that as well.”

“I do believe that,” Isaac asserted forcefully. “The Bible will not contradict its self.”

“Well then, can Satan raise the dead? Does he have power to bring the dead back to life here on the earth? If he does, show me you scriptural proof,” Adam pressed Isaac for scriptural proof. “As we have learned, assuming what the bible says is often a lot different than understanding what the scriptures have to say on a subject.

We agreed at the start, it isn't what people say that matters, it’s what God tells us through the Bible that's important. After reading the scriptures N.T. used to describe the dead in the grave I have to conclude that Mr. Wright was incorrect in his assessment of those verses. I agree with Paul and the Pharisees that the dead are just that, dead, with no attributes of life at all. The best analogy to describe death is the same one used in the Bible. It is like a deep sleep, knowing and thinking nothing.”

Adam pauses for a moment of reflection and then states with a hint of sadness in his voice, “It’s as though most Christians are living their spiritual lives in a post-truth reality. They think they are following the teachings of the Bible, but never take the time to prove their beliefs against what the Bible actually teaches.”

“What’s that? Are you making up words now too? Isaac scoffs derisively. “Post-truth? What’s that supposed to mean? Isaac is shaking his head in bewilderment.

“It’s a word that got used a lot during the Trump presidential campaign. It is was formally recognized as a word that same year, although I liked the Stephen Colbert word ‘truthiness’ better,” Adam responded without hesitation.

“I’d better look that one up for myself,” Isaac retorted, starting to type. “OK, so it is a word,” Isaac begrudgingly agrees. “Here is what the oxforddictionaries.com has to say about it,” He reads out loud, thinking the word will not apply to their conversation.

“adjective

Relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief:

‘in this era of post-truth politics, it's easy to cherry-pick data and come to whatever conclusion you desire’

‘some commentators have observed that we are living in a post-truth age’

This word is meant to be used in a political context, not in a religious one,” Isaac protested. “You’re taking it out of context.”

Adam responds coolly, “No I’m not! Denominations have always tried to shape public opinion with appeals to emotion and personal belief. It’s not only a political word. If Christians only use the objective facts from the Bible and if the Bible is the non-contradictory word of God, then why are there so many different denominations, with such a wide range of practice?”

Chapter 12
The Second Coming

Isaac retorts back at Adam heatedly. “Well if they are all wrong, what do you believe the plan of God to be? You seem to have definite thoughts on the subject. How is God going to save humanity and have them as his children? It's easy to complain and pick ideas apart. It's far more difficult to give a seamless, Bible based plan where humanity receives salvation.”

“I don't have a plan like that,” Adam admits.

“I'm not surprised in the least,” Isaac says snidely. “Most people can only pick apart ideas of their intellectual superiors, while they don't have a single original thought of their own.”

“Yup. You got me figured out,” Adam readily admits. “I don't have one original thought about the plans God has for humanity. But I will share with you the plan that God has described in the Bible. I can guarantee that it isn't mine and that it's all God's. But first we need to finish discussing how the immortal soul idea is not anywhere to be found in the Old Testament. If it had been there the Pharisees would have found it, but as N.T. pointed out, they believed in a physical body resurrection that has two distinct parts, death for a while, then a resurrection back to a physical life.

It was the pagans that had the concept of an immortal soul that became a disembodied spirit after death. As Mr. Wright described, they believed in a one step process, just like the belief that Christians go directly to Heaven to be with Jesus when they die and sinners go directly to Hell for torment.

God modified Paul's traditional Pharisaical belief in the two-step resurrection through the example of Jesus, who after being completely dead, was resurrected to a new body that was not just physical, but made up of spirit as well. This spirit-physical body is what those who are called and accept Jesus in this life will be resurrected into, when Jesus returns to the earth. Until then, they sleep in their graves, a two-step process. Just like the example Jesus left us.

You see, N.T. Wright was not out to discover how the plan of God was to unfold. He was looking narrowly at where the idea of a bodily resurrection came from, to set theologians and clergy that taught Jesus wasn't bodily resurrected straight. N.T.'s book also showed the history of the immortal soul belief and how it isn't biblical. A fact that Mr. Wright personally ignores, as he seems to believe in a personal spirit life somewhere after we die. A one step process, just like the Greek philosophers believed in. In his book he talks about going to be with Jesus after death, which is fine if you are a Christian, but he doesn't provide much information, or hope, for those who are not. Where do all the non-Christians go? What hope is there for them?”

“OK!” Isaac exclaims exasperatedly. “N.T. doesn't appear to believe the same as the Pharisees. But Jesus didn't like them either. They were the ones who had Jesus crucified. Why should N.T. agree with what they believed?”

“Because they believed the Old Testament,” Adam replied passionately. “They knew the word of God up to that point in time, and having an immortal soul was not included in their beliefs, which proves that if you want to stay true to what the Bible teaches in the Old Testament, you won't either.”

“Well the New Testament tells me that I am born again of the Holy Spirit. It tells me that if I believe in Jesus I will never die, that I now have eternal life,” Isaac states frantically, growing increasingly red faced.

“Yes,” Adam replies. “That is what you will inherit. Those things will come true for you, in the future. You are an ‘heir’ to the promise, not a ‘possessor’ of it. You do not have it now, today, in this life.” Letting the air out of his driver’s seat’s suspension, Adam drops within arm’s reach of the floor. Bending sideways towards his side window he reaches down to the floor with his left hand. From under his gloves, by the fire extinguisher, he retrieves a razor knife. Returning the seat to its normal ride height, he shuffles the knife to his right hand. Opening it so that about four inches of the blade is exposed, he holds it out to Isaac. Looking Isaac in the eye he states stone-faced, “One way to prove it for sure, cut your throat and we’ll see how immortal you are!”

Isaac gives Adam a long look of disdain, then replies, “Weren’t you going to tell me God's plan for humanity.”

“I suppose you see my point. Feel free to check all of my scriptural references,” invites Adam, as he closes the knife and drops it back on the floor by his door.

“Oh don't worry. I’ll be checking all of them for accuracy,” snarled Isaac.

“I believe you are aware of the fact that humans are mortal and when they die they are dead, with no hope of a future apart from the grace of God. I won't recover that ground,” states Adam. “I will start with the resurrections as they occur in order with the return of Jesus to the earth.”

“Resurrections?” questions Isaac skeptically. “You mean there are two of them?”

“No. There are not two of them. There are several,” Adam says patiently. “One resurrection for each group of people, but you will get me side tracked if I try to explain more now, just wait and you will see how it all works out. God will make sure everyone has an opportunity to accept his offer of life. If anyone willingly refuses his offer of life, he will reluctantly give them what they desire and let them reject eternal life and have death instead.”

Exhaling heavily, Isaac reluctantly gets himself ready to look up the scriptures Adam will eventually refer too. “OK. You can start now. I'm listening,” Isaac says with a whine.

Clearing his throat noisily, Adam roles down his window and hoping to miss the trailer behind him, spits out of it as far as he could. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand he turns to Isaac and without missing a beat says. “Before Jesus returns, the tribulation is in full swing. The church is in a place of safety and the two witnesses are preaching to the world.

There are different thoughts on how long the tribulation lasts, some think seven, others say three and a half years. I think the man of perdition and the beast are in charge for a total of seven years, but they don't start persecuting Christians until the last three and a half years. So the tribulation part is three and a half years long.”

“OK. Stop now till I find those references,” Isaac interjects. “I have heard about that controversy and have been wondering where people get their time lines from.” Doing some word and topic searches on Adam's Bible-program laden lap top, Isaac finds some relevant scriptures and reads them aloud.

“Revelation 12:14-17

14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

This is about the church being safe for three and a half years, then some of its, seed, being persecuted. Maybe those seed, are people who herd about Jesus before the church fled. Like real seeds starting to grow, but don't become Christians until after the church is taken to a safe place and they, after becoming Christians, are persecuted during the tribulation.”

“That could be. I don't think there are many verses that talk about them other than in the book of Revelations,” Adam agreed.

“Here are the two witnesses preaching to the world,” Isaac continued.

“Revelation 11:3

And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

That sounds like three and a half years, but I’d have to do the math,” Isaac approximated.

“Here is a bunch of scriptures that support three and a half years of persecution.

Revelation 11:2

But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Revelation 13:5-7

And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Revelation 17:6

I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.

Matthew 24:21-22

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Daniel 12:7

Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.

Here is the verse that talks about trouble coming in the middle of the week. You have to use a day for a year interpretation. As well, there is debate about when this was to happen, some claim that it has already taken place.

Daniel 9:27

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

All the different time line possibilities can get confusing, but I do agree with you that there will be a tribulation and it will last for three and a half years. It will be a terrible time to be alive for those who are Christians. Things will be so bad, that if God doesn't intervene, no one would be left alive.

Revelation 17:6

I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.

Matthew 24:21-22 King James Version.

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Mark 13:19-20

For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.”

“Those are all good verses to highlight my points,” Adam agrees. “I don't get all that worried about the seven year thing. It makes sense to me either way, if it's included or not. The three and a half years of tribulation is very straight forward to my understanding.”

“Yes I agree with you about that, but it is nice to see where others are getting their ideas from,” Isaac pointed out. “OK, I am satisfied with your references, so you can continue with your ideas, what happens next.”

“No, no, no, no, uh-uh,” Adam said shaking his head while wagging his finger at Isaac. “I told you, this is not my story or ideas. If it isn't from the Bible then it's not worth anything, but if it is accurately understood from the scriptures, then we had better believe it.”

“Beeeg your paaardon,” Isaac says over dramatically. “Please continue explaining the plaaan of God using, Biiible scriptures.”

Adam rolls his eyes and frowns at Isaac. “Just remember, this knowledge is coming from the word of God.” Pausing for a moment, Adam picks up the story where he left off.

“Alright, Jesus returns at the end of the tribulation. As he descends from the clouds, the dead believers are resurrected and rise to meet him in the air. Then those that believe in him, who are alive, are changed into their new spirit bodies and they all join him in the air as he continues to descend back to the earth to fight the Beast at the battle of Armageddon.”

“Now we have covered the verses that talk about this resurrection before. So I know about them,” Isaac states confidently. “But I better find the ones about Armageddon.” Typing out his inquiry Isaac gets an almost instantaneous response.

“Here it is describing the battle in Revelation 16.

14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

And again, talking about the same battle but not using the name Armageddon.

Revelation 14:14-20

And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

Wow it sounds like quite a battle,” Isaac says wide eyed. “It's no wonder that every eye will see Jesus when he returns. I'm not sure how the secret rapture fits in with Jesus coming back and snatching his believers away, if this describes his return to the earth.”

“That's why we shouldn't be afraid to prove all things against what the Bible tells us. It’s easy to get carried away with the popular beliefs of the day, thinking they must be right if everyone else believes them,” Adam says. “Finding Bible truth is a bit like panning for gold. You put a shovel full of gravel and dirt in your pan and then you slowly wash away all the light stuff. Soon you only have the heavier bits left. Then you rinse them some more until only the specks of gold are left.”

“How is that like reading the Bible?” Isaac questioned irritated.

Adam looked over to see Isaac frowning at him. “The gravel and dirt are Bible verses,” Adam said. “You have to inspect each one for bits of truth on the subject you’re studying. Then you take all of the verses that pertain to your topic and see what they teach you. As we have found out in our recent conversations, we may think a verse tells us something that it doesn’t.”

“Oh. I get it now,” Isaac grunts contentedly. “It's not a great analogy. Here is more about the battle, only we are given more information as the Beast and false prophet are now thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 19:11-21

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.

17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.”

“Any more?” Adam asked as he adjusted himself in his driver’s seat.

“No, that should prove your point. What’s next?” Isaac demanded.

Chapter 13
New World Order

 

Ready with where he should pick up the thought, Adam continues. “Well as you just read the false prophet and the Beast are thrown into the lake of fire at the return of Jesus. Now we are told, Satan is chained up in there as well. For a thousand years the world will be free of his evil influence to sin. The world will be rebuilt and healed of its wounds with the help of the people that are left alive on the world after the battle of Armageddon. They will repopulate the earth and take care of it under the guidance of the newly resurrected children of God. These people and their offspring will be the first humans to live on the earth without the influence of Satan pulling them towards sin. It will be a thousand years of peace and prosperity.”

Isaac nods. “I've heard people talk about this millennial time, but it never fit in with going to heaven. They couldn't figure out how the time line worked, so they supposed it was poetic scripture and not meant to be taken literally.”

“Well they were right,” Stated Adam confidently. “It doesn't fit in with going to heaven, because we don't go to heaven. God brings his Kingdom to us. Humanity isn't supposed to escape the mess they’ve made here on the earth, we have to stay and fix our problems, our physical, spiritual and social problems.”

Isaac starts typing. “Let me find those scriptures,” he says with vigour. “Here is one about Satan being chained up.

Revelation 20:1-3

And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

It says that he will be let go after the thousand years is over, why is that?”

“We'll get to it,” Adam says.

“OK,” Isaac replies. “But I have never heard this story before.”

“Is it coming out of the Bible?” Adam questions.

“Ya, whatever,” Retorts Isaac. “Here are some more scriptures supporting your story. Oh sorry, I mean the story from, the Bible, about the plan of God.”

Adam shoots a look at Isaac but refrains from responding. Isaac is grinning as he looks up more scripture.

“Here are some more.

Ezekiel 47:8-9

Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.

9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.

And more here in

Romans 8:20-23

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Nature gets rebuilt when the believers get their new bodies.”

“Exactly!” Adam says enthusiastically. “We receive our new bodies and the world gets rebuilt when Jesus returns.”

“I have heard these verses put in a different context, but we can keep going. I want to see how this plays out,” Isaac states curiously. “So you believe that the newly born physical-spirit children of God are the leaders in this millennial time of restoration.”

“That’s Right,” Adam nods. “Look it up. We are to become Kings and Priests. Kings and Priests over who?”

Isaac frowns and types some more. “Revelation 20:6,” he hollers over the truck noise.

“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”

After more searching Isaac finds another section of scripture. “Here as well, I think it will be on topic.

Isaiah 30:18-22

And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.

20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:

21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

22 Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence.

I suppose this will be the first time that mankind has lived without the influence of Satan, because he was in the Garden of Eden at the beginning. It should be such a joyous time for humanity, everyone happily following in the loving ways of God.”

“No, I don't think so. Why should people be any better than the angels were?” Adam contends. “They lived with God in piece, but one third of them rejected his ways of love and it ended in open warfare.”

“You can be such a wet blanket!” Isaac huffed. “I just read that people will live in the ways of God. Not only that, but they will be personally guided in the way they should go. You’re such a confusing person; why not agree that they will all be living in a happy paradise?”

Adam shakes his head as he answers. “I’d love for it to be a utopian paradise, if that was true. But people are people, with or without Satan. Our minds are continually bent towards sin. Read about what happens to those who don't follow God's ways. Some people have to be disciplined before they follow God.”

“I’ll look that up, along with the mind of man,” said Isaac. “Ya, here it is. Genesis 6:5.

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

As well as here,

Jeremiah 17:9

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

I suppose we are wicked. I will start to look for verses on those who don't follow God.” Isaac types his next search into the lap top. “Here’s some,

Zechariah 14:16-17

And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.”

“Yes, not everyone will willingly follow God. Notice that they aren't referred to as his children, but as his people, to become a child of God we have to be led by the Spirit, accept Jesus and have our sins forgiven,” Adam tells Isaac.

“Yes I did notice that subtle difference. Jesus told us to call out to God, not only as father, but daddy, making it a much more intimate relationship. Here is a verse for your point,” Isaac said before reading aloud.

Romans 8:14-15

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

Adam continues laying out the plan as he understands it. “So here we have a world rebuilt and healed from the devastating legacy of mankind. Remember that if God had not stepped in, no flesh would have survived.”

“Oh. I can find those easy.” Isaac exclaimed excitedly.

“Mark 13:20

And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

And then again in,

Matthew 24:22.

And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

I like those verses because the Christians are why the world gets saved. If it wasn't for us, God would let everyone die.”

“Yes that is true,” Adam agrees. “But don't forget that the word flesh is not only restricted to human beings. Animals are also referred to as flesh.”

“I didn't think of that,” Isaac admitted. “Christians are even more important in that context. The entire world is only saved because of us.”

“Ya maybe, but I wouldn't go around bragging about it,” Adam admonished. “Like I was saying, this group of people will not have Satan around to bother them. I believe the people who are born into this thousand year period will not be as spiritually strong as those of us who have to fight against Satan daily. My own speculation is that some of them will not believe that there is even such a being as Satan. Nothing in their world would have revealed him to them. Their life experience will be of generations of peace and prosperity. He potentially will be remembered only through ancient tales and stories.

I have no scriptural proof, but I believe that since these people will be taught and called by God to learn of his ways during their lives in the Millennium, free from the pull of sin, that this will be their time to choose to follow him and gain eternal life. This being the first time they have been alive, I think those who die not accepting Jesus during the millennium, will be included in the resurrection of the condemned as it ends with the second death. All those who willingly reject the deliverance of Jesus will be thrown into the lake of fire.

This resurrection of the condemned would provide closure for the family of God and a time of sober reflection for those brought back to physical life to face their punishment. They will have no excuses as there was no external force of sin that lead them to reject God. The decision to go their own way would have come from inside of them, reflecting who they truly are.”

“What do you mean, I think, I believe, I have no scriptural proof?” Isaac asked indignantly. “You said that this was the provable plan of God? Not the imaginings of some old senile trucker. Why should anyone trust and believe in your speculations?”

“The only part I am speculating on is the process those alive during the millennium go through to become children of God,” Adam strongly stated defensively. “Following the two prime directives, of everyone gets to choose Jesus and God wants all that will accept him as children, both of which we previously discussed and agreed on, then this is the most likely scenario to me. I could be wrong and I’m open to any ideas that you may have on how these millennial people come into the family of God, or meet their demise. Do you have any thoughts we should consider?”

“No no. This is your story time. I have no idea about what you might be imagining. I'm just shocked that you so openly admit the lack of scriptural proof for your speculations,” Isaac's tone was mockingly snide.

“I am only speculating on one small aspect of the overall plan that God has laid out in his word. You read the verses talking about the millennium and the people who live during that time period. Were you not reading from the Bible?” Adam’s voice was forceful and loud.

“Of course I was,” Isaac wasn't expecting Adam's verbal retaliation. “But maybe your reference verses are all supposed to be understood as poetry and metaphor,” Isaac said waving his hand in a dramatic gesture.

“Ya, the language used is a bit optimistic, but most of the verses describing the blessings of God, given to people rescued in the end times, are. It’s certainly not as poetic as when trees have conversations with people who have died. Do you feel I have taken some verses out of context?” Adam questioned with concern. “If so, how and which ones?”

“Oh I couldn’t critique them on the fly. To find all of your errors would take a lot of time and study. I am just doing my best to make sure your references are close to being accurate,” Isaac explained, using his best scholarly tones.

“Well that's good. Just remember that those references are coming from the infallible word of God. It comes down to what you trust the most, Man's ideas, or the Bible?” Adam states bluntly.

“Oh for sure, I believe the Bible. I just don't know how accurately you put the scriptures together. But I am ready to look up more of them if you want to continue. That is if your rendition has any more scriptures to verify,” Isaac returns to his demeaning tone.

“You will be finding several more before we get to the end,” Adam says confidently. “At the closing of the millennium, the world will be left completely healed from its life ending wounds. This is when the bulk of humanity will have their time to come to God and accept Jesus as their saviour. Everyone since the Garden of Eden who never had the opportunity to hear or learn of Jesus and the forgiveness that comes only from him, can now have free access to that gift. Whether they died in infancy, or had their eyes blinded to God for whatever reason, they will now have a life time of one hundred years to decide if they want to follow God or not.”

“Ha. You'll have to help me find those scriptures. What should I use for a search phrase, Aesop's fables?” Isaac jeered. “That's not from the Bible!”

“Have I been very wrong so far?” Adam asked. “We have already looked up verses showing that God has blinded the eyes of people. We have to be called by God to come to Jesus.

For this resurrection, look up something like, the rest did not live until after the thousands years were over.”

“OK. I'll give it a try.” Isaac tries skeptically a couple of times, then perks up with, “How about this?

Revelation 20:4-6

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

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

If the rest of the dead come back to life after the thousand years is finished, why is this resurrection called the first resurrection?”

“It's not. Those in the first resurrection are the ones who are holy and blessed, the ones raised when Jesus returns. And that is not the first resurrection if you believe Jesus led the way as the first fruit. Jesus was the first to be resurrected to spirit-physical life, as opposed to normal physical life, like many other resurrections the Bible tells us about. So you can see the term, first resurrection, depends on your starting point of reference,” Adam went on to explain further.

“Those raised at the end of the millennium would actually be in the second mass resurrection of mankind. Counting from after the resurrection of Jesus, those who are raised at his return are in the first resurrection, they are holy and blessed. They rule with Jesus during the millennium.

Then all of humanity that didn't have their opportunity to accept Jesus, are raised after the millennium is over, but before Satan is freed from his restraints. They have a lifetime of one hundred years free of Satan’s influence, to decide if they want to follow Jesus or not. This would be the second major resurrection of mankind.”

“Wow, this sure is nothing like what I have ever heard before. How do I find that in the Bible? Is it under, sinner’s second chance, or, free pass to heaven?” Isaac shakes his head with a frown. “You sure are in left field. Heck, I don't even think you’re in the ball park. Let me read Revelations twenty, verses four through six again.

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

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

Adam jumps in, “Exactly, the sentence ‘This is the first resurrection.’ goes with verse six. The King James scholars added the punctuation as they saw best at the time, like they did with the thief on the cross. The punctuation is misleading there as well. Jesus told the thief he would be with him in paradise, but not on the same day. Jesus was in the grave for the next three days, proving he was our messiah.”

“That’s not how I’ve ever read it,” Isaac says in a huff. “The thief was with Jesus in paradise that very day. Here let me read it.

Luke 23:39-43

39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

There is nothing wrong with the punctuation. Your just trying to twist the plain speaking word of God to suit yourself!” Isaac proclaims. “The word of God is truth. You just don’t like how it doesn’t fit in with all of your conspiracy theories.”

“Oh. Didn’t we already prove that Jesus was dead in the grave for three full days?” Adam quickly responded. “He told the women not to touch him on Sunday morning because he had not yet ascended to his father. He was in the grave for three days after talking to the thief on the cross, not in paradise that same day. You seem to have conflicting beliefs about some basic truths.” Adam looks intently at Isaac, taking his eyes off the road for a brief moment. “Have you ever read those verses in the original Greek? Adam asked calmly. “You should give it a try before you come to any rash decisions.”

“I’m not sure. I may have at school at some point, why would it matter? The words used would still be the same. I can understand what the words mean.” Isaac replies sarcastically with unveiled anger.

“Humour me and give it a try.” Adam directs. “Just do verse 43.”

“OK, I don’t know what good it will do but here goes.” Isaac changes the translation on the lap top to a Greek translation. “I don’t know if this is the original or not but here is a translation from the fifteen hundreds, the Stephanus New Testament.” Isaac stumbles with the words of verse 43:

“και ειπεν αυτω ο ιησους αμην λεγω σοι σημερον μετ εμου εση εν τω παραδεισω.

I can’t read this, it means nothing. It’s all Greek to me,” Isaac chuckles at his own joke.

“The words aren’t the important part this time,” Adam confirms. “It’s the punctuation, or lack of it that matters.”

“So, there is no punctuation in the Greek. What does that matter?” Isaac was sounding less confident.

“You’ll see,” Adam assures. “Read verse forty three again from the King James, but move the comma from after ‘thee’, and put it after ‘today’. Now doe’s that change the meaning?”

Isaac obliges,

“‘And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee today, shalt thou be with me in paradise’.

Ya it does change the tone somewhat.” Isaac begrudgingly agrees. “I’d have to give it more thorough study before I could form a definite opinion on the subject.”

“Needs further study, that seems to have become a reoccurring theme for you.” Adam states confidently.

Referring back to the resurrection story Adam goes on, “Before you get too carried away with how inaccurately I am relaying the salvation plan of God, do a search for, child will die a hundred years old. See what you can come up with,” Adam directs.

“OK. Here goes nothing,” Isaac says, typing quickly. “I found one verse out of the entire Bible that refers to this, it's in Isaiah. I'll read some verses around it for context.

Isaiah 65:17-25

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.

19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.

21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.

22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.

23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.

24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.

Well this is describing heaven. We will be greatly blessed when we are there with Jesus, living with God as his children,” Isaac states boldly.

“I think you have it wrong, if I understand what people say about heaven,” Adam disagrees. “There are no sinners in heaven is there? Yet there are sinners in this description of the future. Notice that the infant will die a hundred years old, but the sinner that is a hundred years old will be cursed.

These verses are describing how infants and all people that have died throughout the history of mankind will finally get to live an entire lifetime. After they are resurrected into physical bodies, these people, including babies will get to live a full and meaningful lifetime, to become the people they choose to grow into. They can learn about Jesus and make their own decision about following him. God will give everyone a fair opportunity to freely choose salvation. Their fate will be left for them to decide.”

“Well that may be fine for innocent babies, but you said that everyone who didn’t accept Jesus would be in this resurrection. That means that sinners get another chance at the salvation of Jesus. That would make all the sinners of the world, better off than the Christians who give up the pleasures of this life for Jesus. They will end up getting both the pleasures of this world and the next. Why should I bother being a Christian now if I am no better off than they are in the long run?” Isaac's face is red with anger as he bitterly responds to Adam's interpretations.

“I know this old truck is noisy, but you seem to have missed an important point about those who are resurrected in this second resurrection. Only the dead who have, not, had the opportunity to accept Jesus while they were alive, those who were blinded to the calling of God, now they will be resurrected to a physical body. They can live out a life, free of Satan and his pull towards sin. They will be resurrected back to who they were when they died. The sinful habits and attitudes they died with will still be inside of them. They will have a hundred years to overcome their sins and turn their attitudes into Godly ones.”

“Ya, I know what you said! So why should I bother now if I can be saved later on?” Isaac is indignant.

“You talk as if they might be better off than Christians who have to struggle now with their sins. You short change the power of the Holy Spirit in your life to help you overcome sin and grow in the fruit of the Spirit. You don't seem to value the calling of God to come to Jesus now. No one will give up anything in this life that we won't receive a hundred fold in the Kingdom. We have been given a great opportunity to become rulers and priests in the Kingdom. Those from this resurrection will in no way be better off than the Christians who overcome the adversity of their own nature and the world,” Adam sincerely explains.

“But the Bible clearly teaches that the sinner will die. They will not be part of the Kingdom of God,” Isaac protests. “If what you say is true then those sinners will go unpunished, they will be forgiven and get to live with God anyway. Now that's not fair.”

“You sound just like Jonah,” Adam points out. “He didn't want to preach to the Ninavites because he knew that if they repented, God would forgive them. Jonah wanted them to die for their sins. But God so loved the world that he sent his only son to die, so that whoever believes in him will have everlasting life. None of us get what we deserve. We all get a chance to escape our sins and find life through Jesus. This is the only chance these people will have ever had, to learn of Jesus. This is not a second chance for them. This is their first and last chance to accept salvation.”

Isaac sits in shock staring out the windshield. His eyes opened for the first time to his prejudices. “Do you really think I'm like Jonah?” he asks Adam shyly.

“Well it seems like you have a similar attitude,” Adam said. “Why not look it up and see. I have been wrong before.”

“OK, I will read it and see. Here it is, Jonah 4,” Isaac reads the chapter.

“1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

2 And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

3 Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.

4 Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?

5 So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.

6 And the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.

7 But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.

8 And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.

9 And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.

10 Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:

11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?”

Chapter 14
Second Life

 

Isaac is quiet for a while as Adam drives. Then he breaks the silence with a question.

“So you are saying that everyone who ever lived will be given an opportunity to repent and learn about Jesus. Everyone, no matter what they have done, will be brought back to life in this resurrection?”

“Yes, but no. That is almost what I’m saying,” Adam corrects in a gentle tone. “Yes everyone will have that choice to make. Everyone who hasn't been called to come to Jesus in this life, will be resurrected in the second resurrection. They will be resurrected to a physical life, so that if they reject Jesus after living for a hundred years, they will be choosing death rather than eternal life with Jesus. They will choose for themselves if they gain eternal life. If they reject Jesus, these resurrected people will die and remain that way for the rest of eternity. They will have had their chance and let it pass by. In time even the memory of them will be forgotten.

Their punishment will be everlasting as it takes an act of God to resurrect anyone back to life. God will respect the choice they willingly made and will let them have what they want; God will let them stay dead. They become the sinner that is cursed having lived a hundred years.

The people in this second resurrection should not be mixed up with those who willingly reject Jesus during this life. They have only the fear of the judgement to look forward to. They're resurrection of the condemned is still to come.

The plan of God gives everyone a full opportunity to come to Jesus for salvation. Some are called during this life to Jesus; the others will have to wait for the second resurrection to come back to a physical life, where they can finally learn about Jesus and his salvation. God wants as many children in his family as will willingly join.”

“Oh. I think I am starting to get it,” Isaac says tentatively. “Let me look up some of those references. Here is an easy one,

Hebrews 10:26-30

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 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 the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

Here is a story about Paul preaching to the Jews,” Isaac said before continuing to read.

“Acts 13:44-48

44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

What key words should I use to find verses about a physical resurrection? I haven't learned much about that topic?”

“Try, valley of dead bones,” Adam suggested.

“Good idea,” Isaac said starting to type. “Yep here are some.

Ezekiel 37:1-14

The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,

2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.

3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest.

4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.

5 Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:

6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.

8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.

9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

13 And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,

14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord.

These verses seem pretty specific to Israel. How do you prove it includes the rest of humanity?” Isaac challenges.

“We need to see who else is on the earth with them. Look up the prophesies for Gog and Magog,” Adam directed.

“OK. I have heard a bit about them,” Isaac said remembering a class from school. “Here is a reference in;

Revelation 20:7-9

And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

This is to happen after Satan is released. So it is referring to the right time period,” Isaac points out. “I suppose that if Gog and Magog are there then it wouldn't just be Israel who are resurrected back to life, others will be living with them.”

“Exactly,” Adam says nodding his head. “Like it told us in Revelations, the rest of the dead are not resurrected until after the thousand years are over, then the dead are brought back to life. At the end of the hundred years Satan is set loose, he deceives the nations and they fight against the saints of God. This will be the war to end all wars.

Finally all of humanity will have had an opportunity to choose God, or reject him. Those called in this life have to struggle against Satan and themselves so they can become Kings and Priests with Jesus in his Kingdom. Others will have to decide without the pulls of Satan during the Millennium, or have their chance to come to Jesus in the second resurrection. Not all will choose life with Jesus, but for those who do, eternal life awaits them, as children of God.”

“So now God comes and lives with his people,” Isaac says, anticipating Adam's next thought.

“Not quite yet,” Adam says. “There are still some people that have to be dealt with for their poor choices.”

“Who would those people be? I thought everyone would have had their chance by now,” Isaac said in surprise. “All the people from the millennium and the second resurrection have had their turn at accepting Jesus and they have either been born into the spirit-physical realm like Jesus, or they chose not to accept him as saviour and are dead. Who's left?” Isaac was scratching his head.

“All the people who had their eyes opened and have been called by God in their first life, but ended up turning their backs on Jesus,” Adam elaborates on the thought. “They have to receive the rewards of their choices. They have not tasted the second death yet. Those from the second resurrection have all died twice if they did not accept Jesus. One death after this life and once more dying a second and final time, after they reject salvation during their life in the second resurrection. People from this life, who know and accept Jesus, but do not follow him or the Spirit of God, as well as those born during the millennium but reject salvation, have to be dealt with and die their second death.”

“What second death?” Isaac demands. “If someone accepts Jesus as their saviour, that is good for their entire life and nothing can take them from the safety of God's hand,” Isaac said forcefully in the defense of his belief. “Once saved always saved!” he chanted.

“People who are Christians will not be hurt by the second death,” Adam agreed. “We have already read that. Like I said earlier, a man convinced against his will, is still of the same mind still,” Adam reminded, shaking his head. “We touched on these points earlier and I thought you understood, but it seems like we will have to more fully explore what it means to be, 'Saved', and how we need to be careful not to lose our salvation. Even Paul was concerned about being disqualified from the Kingdom and losing his eternal life.”

“Even Paul! Oh you better explain this. Does this feed into your conspiracy theory as well? Conspiracy of some sort seems to be tied up with all of your resurrection talk,” Isaac is back to his lofty, sarcastic, demeanor and tones.”

Chapter 15
Not All Who Call Me Lord

 

Brushing off the slights, Adam just smoothly shifts another gear keeping the Cummins engine running in its RPM sweet spot and says. “Well you are the one checking all my references from the Bible. We both agreed it is the only one true source for godly wisdom. If what I am saying is not supported correctly by the Bible, you haven't made much of a fuss so far.”

Isaac is defensive in his response. “I told you it would take a lot of time and energy to find all of your errors. I can't be expected to find them all on the fly at the first hearing of such wild ideas.”

Adam agrees. “That's fair, but you can believe the Bible. Have my wild ideas been far off the mark according to what the scriptures have to say?”

Isaac is quick to respond. “Well nothing painfully obvious so far. It's more the way you put scriptures together that is troubling. You don't follow any of the scripture flow that I am used to. You use verses I’ve never read, to contradict verses that I’ve studied and understand. Now those studied verses, don't seem to say, what I have been taught they say.”

“It's like I have said before. If the Bible appears to be contradicting itself, we do not understand the scriptures properly,” Adam assures him. “So, if I have not taken things out of context and the scriptures don't jive according to your teachings, where does the problem come from, my wacky ideas or yours?”

“Well maybe yours aren’t completely wacky,” Isaac begrudgingly admits. “But I know that I am saved through Jesus and I will never lose my salvation. I don’t have to keep accepting Jesus, or worry that I might sin so badly that I can’t be forgiven. The salvation Jesus brings is bigger than any sin I could ever commit. I can rest assured in my salvation through Jesus.”

“Amen. Again we agree,” Adam chimed with a smile. “There is one way you may lose your salvation though, if you, abandon Jesus. No one can snatch us out of the hand of God, but we might willingly jump. The last resurrection is for those jumpers, those who believed in Jesus but did not follow him whole heartedly. Those who in this life, may appear to be doing his bidding but are only following their own passions, rather than following Jesus as they should be. Willfully sinning, knowingly not following the Holy Spirit. The third resurrection is for them.”

“Some of that sounds familiar, the wicked going into eternal punishment I mean. I covered it in school. Let me look up some of the supportive scriptures for you,” Isaac said with renewed zeal. “I think we have already read some of them. There may be some repeats, but it might help with the context. Here is an entire chapter, but I think it's relevant, if it’s not too much for you to hear,” Isaac said derisively.”

“Sure. Go ahead and read it,” Adam was pleased with the interest Isaac was displaying for the topic.

Isaac clears his throat and swigs down the last of his Dr. Pepper.

“Matthew 25,” Isaac says in a flurry before wiping his mouth on his sleeve.

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Then we have more in;

Matthew 5:11-13

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

I see what you mean, we can't be made salty, or Christian again if we abandon Jesus. Here are some more verses about those who were called and came to Jesus, but didn't take their salvation seriously.

Matthew 22:10-13 KJV.

10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Some Christians don't wear the Holy Spirit wedding cloths and are rejected,” Isaac provides a running commentary for the scriptures as he reads them.

“Again, only the good ones are chosen. I have found plenty of examples. Here are a few more.

Matthew 13:47-50

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,

50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 24:45-51

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The Bible warns us to be focused on following Jesus all the time and not drift off into carelessness thinking he will never come for us. We can't take a holiday from being Christian.

Luke 14:33-35 King James Version

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

“There sure are a lot of verses supporting the topic, I get the picture,” Adam said scratching his head. “Do we need to read them all?”

Isaac looks shocked at Adam’s comment, when he replies, “It was you that said we couldn’t be too sure of what the Bible had to say. I wouldn’t want to be taking things for granted you know; besides I thought you liked reading the Bible.” Isaac continues with his scripture search.

“I guise we can't be content with just being in the presence of Jesus, we have to be doers of his work.

James 1:22-25 KJV.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

Isaac sums up the last passage he read. “Hanging around with Jesus won't help us in the end. We have to be his servants, actively serving.”

“You are contextualizing the pertinent thoughts of those scriptures very well,” Adam agreed. “Is that all now, or have you found more?”

Isaac reads the next set of scriptures that he finds on the subject of, those who thought they were Christian only to be rejected in the end.

“Oh look, I’ve found some more golden nuggets of truth. Luke 13:22-28,” Isaac announces.

“And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

This one is a bit different,” Isaac says before he reads it.

“John 5:28-29

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

So this must be when all the weeping and gnashing of teeth takes place. Is this resurrection of damnation what you call the third resurrection?”

“Yes,” Adam loudly agrees so as to be clearly herd inside the old trucks raucous cab. “It’s the last resurrection for mankind. Everyone has now had their opportunity to accept Jesus. This last resurrection is the end for those who rejected Jesus during their first life, either by decision or by neglectful indifference. They put the things of the world before him, even after counting the cost of discipleship. They will be pruned off and cast into the fire. Can I get back to explaining the plan now?”

“Wait, I can find a reference for that too,” Isaac nods. “Here are some.

John 15:1-6

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

Hebrews 6:4-8

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of 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 God:

8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

And there is still more. Here in;

2 Peter 2

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Wow that was a strong chapter; I have normally read it only in small sections. Reading it all at once gives me a much deeper impression of what God thinks about Christians that don't take their salvation seriously. Their end is to be worse than their beginning when they knew nothing of Jesus. Why do you think they will be worse off?

“Well probably because their fate will be sealed,” Adam speculates. “They will have had eternal life all but theirs, only to trade it in favour of the sins of the world that will not last. They will only have the judgement of God to look forward to. So their end will be worse than their beginning. I’m glad that these scriptures are meaningful to you, but are all these scriptures new to you?”

“No, I have known these since I was little. That’s why I can find them so fast.” Isaac mused as he shrugged his shoulders. “I just figured that I better check out their context in case I had them wrong all along. I can’t just take things for granted. Here are some more scriptures on the topic.

Jude 3-13

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

Teachers have a big responsibility to teach as God instructs, not going off with their own ideas. They will be twice dead if they do. You better be careful with all your conspiracy ideas. You may end up in a bad, bad, place,” Isaac said staring at Adam.

“If what I was saying came from myself, I would be afraid of the second death. If I don't stay true to scripture, read in context, or if I was following my own agenda, I could miss out. I do my best to formulate my beliefs and understandings within the context of the scriptures. If you see where I have made an error please don't be shy about bringing it to my attention,” Adam says, explaining his motives.

“Oh, I'm sure you do follow the scriptures, to the best of, your abilities,” sneered Isaac. “Here is more scripture about those who are rejected by Jesus.”

Staring at the lap top screen Isaac resumes reading.

“Revelation 3:15-16

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Revelation 21:6-8

6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

8 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.

Hey, you said that people who live and die during the second resurrection, not accepting Jesus, would stay dead, that would be their second death. This verse tells us the sinners and those who reject Jesus will be thrown into the lake of fire, which is the second death. Your understanding seems to be at odds with this verse. So who doesn’t understand things properly after all?”

For a moment, Adam thinks about how to start his explanation. Taking in a deep breath he starts to talk.

“I believe this verse is talking about all who reject Jesus and are willfully sinning, even when they know better, during the first physical life they go through. Those who reject their calling during this life are resurrected back to physical life in the third resurrection, the resurrection of damnation. They will be judged and then cast into the lake of fire. Being mortal they will die in the flames, this will be the second and final time they will die. They had their opportunity to follow Jesus and rejected it. It will be their second death.

Those who reject Jesus from the second resurrection had their opportunity to follow Jesus without the influence of Satan. If they came back in this final resurrection of damnation, then it would be their third life and dying in the lake of fire would be their third death. Not the second death, as the scriptures refer to.

I haven't read anything in the Bible that tells us mankind will have more than two deaths and one opportunity at having their eyes opened and called to accept Jesus. I believe those who don't accept Jesus, after living a hundred years during the second resurrection, their death will be final, as that will have been their second death. But I could be wrong; do you have a better explanation?”

Surprised by Adams answer, Isaac side steps the question and goes on with his reading and synopses.

“No, I wouldn't want to speculate on the topic, I would need to do more research in order to give an informed opinion on the subject. These next verses are interesting though. They are the scriptures where Paul talks about the possibility of losing out on his own salvation after having shared the saving gospel with others. It sounds like we have to stay faithful to the end of our lives and not turn from our faith after we decide to follow Jesus.

1 Corinthians 9:16-27

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

“Yes. Jesus told us to count the cost of following him before we decide to commit,” Adam explains. “We can't be double minded and try to serve two masters. We must give Jesus our all. Nothing can be allowed to side track us or be more important than following Jesus, for we willingly give up our lives to him, when we join with him through baptism.

You do know that I am aware of these verses that you’re reading, right. I totally agree with them.”

“Ya I thought so. But I told you I would be checking all of your references and I will, even if it kills you,” Isaac flashes Adam a big fake smile. “Can’t be too careful about our faith can we? Now those double minded verses sound familiar,” Isaac nods knowingly. Remembering his parent’s admonishment from when he was little. “Let me look them up. Here are a couple different ones that reflect your thoughts.”

“Suit yourself,” Adam said with a frown. “I was only trying to save your time and effort.”

“Matthew 6:22-24,” Isaac continued undaunted.

“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Luke 16:13-15

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

You’re counting the cost scriptural references are quite long as they have several teaching points contained in them. I will read the long versions so we can be sure of the contextual accuracy.”

“Sounds good to me,” Adam agreed, rolling his eyes. “I don't want to be misrepresenting the scriptures, or refer to them out of their contextual meaning.”

“OK I will start with Luke 14:25-34 King James Version,” Said Isaac.

25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

These next verses tell us we are servants of the master we obey, do we serve sin and death, or do we have life and serve Jesus?

Romans 6

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.