Jacobus Arminius was born at Oudewater, Holland on Oct. 10 1560 to middle-class parents. The Dutch form of his name is Jacob Harmensen [or Hermansz]. It was a common practice to Latinize ones Dutch name. And his became James Arminius. He lost his mother and siblings to Catholic Spaniards in the massacure of Oudewater. Theodore Aemilius [an Ex-Catholic Priest for Christ] adopted the child and provided for his schooling in Utrecht.
On the death of Aemilius in 1575, Rudolf Snellius [Snel van Roijen, 1546-1613], a professor at Marburg and native of Ouderwater, became the patron for Arminius' further education at the Universities of Leiden [1575-82] Basel, and Geneva [1582-86]. He entered the Univerity of Leiden at the age of fifteen.
The Merchants Guild of Amsterdam acknowledged Arminius' brilliance by financing his education, thus permitting him to study at Geneva with the eminent Calvinst Theodore de Beze as well at Basel and Padua. After brief stays at the University of Padua, in Rome, and in Geneva Arminius returned to Amsterdam Holland in 1588 where he was ordained and appointed as Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church of Amsterdam. He became the city's first native Dutch clergyman.
Arminius as Theodore de Beze disciple was asked to defend "suprapsarianism: the Calvinist theory of predestination, which holds that even before the Creation and the Fall, God elected some humans to be saved without concideration of their worthiness.
After careful consideration and Biblical resarch Arminius recoiled against a teaching that he could not reconcile with the love and justice of God and reversed his Theological views.
Arminius taught that human salvation is entirely to the grace of God in Christ whereby fallen humankind is enabled to respond in freedom to the divine call. Arminius proposed a "universial sufficient grace" or [Universial Atonement] in place of Calvin's "limited effective grace" or [Limited Atonement]. Further Arminius denied a predestination of particular persons to salvation on the basis of God's secret will. but Arminius affirmed a particular predestination on the basis of God's foreknowledge of human free choices.
For much that has come to be known as Arminianism, the central issue is "free will" verses "election". Arminius and Beza clashed. Despite some strong opposition, Arminius was awarded a professorship at the University of Leiden in 1603, having successfully cleared himself of charges of heresy.
At Leiden, Arminius and Francisus Gomarus a fellow professor and zealous Calvinist clashed on the question of predestination and free will and twice debated before the Netherland States-General. At the time the question of predestination was raging and Arminius under was fire for refusing to defend any of the Calvinist options and for interpreting Romans seven and nine in a manner different from Calvin. He was sustained in his office and position by the Amsterdam Merchant-oligarchy, to which he was allied by blood and marriage.
Theological issues were intertwined with policitical issues. The followers of Arminius' view of scripture sided with the civil offical: Johan van Oldenbarneveldt, who favored a truce with Spain and the Calvinists sided with military leader Maurice of Nassau who wanted to press for war. Arminius died in the midst of the conflict in 1609, being severly sick. Some have said of a broken heart.
Simon Episcopius, also called Simon Biscop, Bischop, or Bisschop [his Dutch name] was born on Jan. 8 1583 in Amsterdam in the Dutch Republic [now The Netherlands]. An Arminian Theologian, Episcopius also studied at the University of Leiden under both James Arminius and Franciscus Gomarus. In 1610 became Pastor at Bleiswyk. And in 1612 succeeded Gomarus in the chair of Theology.
Arminius' cause was taken up by the Remonstrants, his followers. The name comes from a five-point statement of Arminianism called: the Remonstrance. This statment was drawnup after the death of Arminius in 1610 by Joahnes Uyttenbogart, a close friend of Arminius and minster from Utrecht, Simon Episcopius, Hugo Grotius and others, signed by 45 minsters and addressed to the States of Holland and West Friesland. Episcopius was the prinical spokesman for the Remonstrants at the Synod of Dort protested against the prejudgement of their case.
This document, after asserting the primacy of Scripture over creeds, set forth a revision of Calvinism: Christ died for all, not only for the elect; Divine grace is not irrestible. Christians can fall from grace through free will and be lost. These affirmations constituted a rejection of the most extreme Calvinist interpretation of pre-destination.
The Synod of Dort opened November 13, 1618, and continued through 154 sessions, ending May 9, 1619. One hundred two Dutch Orthodox Calvinists were offical members of the conference together with 28 delegates from foreign countries. Thirteen Arminian representatives were present, but they were prisoners of state, condemed for treason because of their views about theology and tolerance in every area of church and state; hence they had no voice or vote.
As a result, the Five Points of Calvinism were unanimously declared to be the official Calvinistic postion, and the Remonstrants' Five Points heretical. The Remonstrants were condemned by the Dutch reformed Church at the Synod of Dort. As a result two hundred Arminian clergy were deprived of their position and Johan Oldenbarneveldt the civil official was executed. With twelve others, Episcopius was banished from the Netherlands. Episcopius spent his time of exile in Paris, Antwerpe, and Rouen. During his exile he composed "A Confessio" in 1622, a doctrinal statement of Arminianism. He also wrote many other books and articles.
After the death of the enemy of the Remonstrants, Prince Maurice of Nassau, [called Protector of the Gomarites] in 1626, Episcopius was later able to return to Holland. The Remonstrants were allowed to return to Holland in 1633. Fourteen years of persecution, exile, and services banned had gone by. Among the refugees arose a Remonstrant reformed brotherhood, which later became the Remonstrant Reformed Church community. They have a congregational polity, the Synod having no local authority over the church.
In 1634 Simon Episcopius became the head rector and professor of the College of Remonstrants Seminary in Amsterdam. In his "Institutiones Theologicae" (1650-1651, Vol 4), Episcopius did what Arminius had not done, namely presented a systematic exposition and defense of Arminianism, asserting that God's sovreighity and free will are compatible. Broad and tolerant in his views, Episcopius minimized the importance of speculative dogmas and insisted rather on the practical aspect of Christianity, stressing man's responsibility to such an extent that he was accused of Pelagianism. Like most Arminians at the time, he was also probably without foundation, accused of Socinianism. Simon Episcopius died in 1643 in Amsterdam, his own home town.
The Remonstrant Reformed Church continued as a small free church after 1793 when full toleration was established and influenced Evangelical theology in both the Netherlands and the United States. Arminianism survived in the Netherlands and strongly influenced theologicans everywhere, such as John Wesley in England [founder of Methodism] and others who were opposed to the Calvanistic teachings on predestination. John Wesley accepted the term "Arminian" for his theological position and published "The Arminian Magazine". The tension between the Arminian and Calvinist positions in theology was somewhat quiescent until Karl Barth sparked its revival in the twentieth century. Note: This is a combination of a number of outstanding articles from these great Encyclopedias: Academic Americana, Britannica, Colliers, and The Encyclopedia of Religion, also one paragraph from Mildred Bangs Wynkoop's "Foundations of Wesleyan-Arminian Theology". This combination is purely for personal study and edifcation and should probly have verbal or written permission for any extenisive distrabution.
POSTSCRIPT: It would seem that in some Calvinistic circles, it is believed that Arminianism was "snuffed-out" at the Synod of Dort. Nothing could be further from the truth. Arminianism is alive and well. Arminianism spread through England and America as Professor Carl Bangs has written "to such an extent that American culture has been designated as Arminian". Arminianism or Wesleyian-Arminianism has been the balance and foundation-theology of many demonations throughout England, America and the world. To name a few: The Church of God, The Nazerene Church, The Free Methodist Church, The Free-will Baptist Church, The General Baptist Church, The Christian Church, The Calvary Chapels and more. If the current members were tallied, their numbers would be a staggering. This would give a more accurate idea of the vast enfluence and outreach of Arminianism's more reasonible position over Calvinism. God Bless you in your further studies on this very important subject!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Salvation is Inseparable from Faith
Now giving the definition from Cruden's Complete Concordance for Faith: "Faith is the dependence on the veracity of another, firm belief or trust in another person, thing, doctrine or statement. And when is said to keep faith when he perform a promise made to another.
1. Historical faith is a belief in the truthfulness and accuracy of the Scriptures, Scriptural narrative and teachings. "James 2:17,24.
2. Saving faith is the acceptance by the intellect, affection, and will, of God's favor extended to men through Christ. This faith produces a sincere obedience in the life and conversation. The firm foundation of faith is the essential supreme perfection of God, His unerring knowledge, immutable truths, infinite goodness, and almighty power. And with this faith we are said to be justified. Romans 5:1.
Formerly, as if it were our righteousness before God, it is called the faith through which we are saved. Ephesians 2:8. Faith is, as it were, a condition on our part whereby we come to be partakers of the blessings of the new covenant. It is a faith which worketh by love. Ephesians 5:6. It is not an idle, inactive grace, but shows itself by producing love to God and our neighbor. Faith in Scripture is also taken for truth and faithfulness of God. Romans 3:3. Faith is also used for the doctrine of the Gospel which is the object of faith. Acts 24:24; Galatians 1:23.
For the Biblical definition of faith, Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The Lord Jesus, in the Gospel of John, likens faith to the vine and the branches in that we must abide in that relationship with God if we're going to be saved. Salvation is in separable from faith. I Peter 1:5: "Who {Christians} are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." This is a very strong statement in I Peter 1:5: " . . .kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation."
Next we have I Peter 1:9: "Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." Another very strong and powerful statement: " . ..receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."
Next verse is Hebrews 10:39: "The just shall live by faith, out if any man draws back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him." A very strong statement to the necessity of abiding in the faith and not drawing back. Also along with that could be studied Ephesians 6:16, actually Ephesians 6:10 all the way, even unto the end of the chapter just for extra context and study. Titus 1:1: "Paul, a bondservant of God and and apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and an acknowledging of the truth which is unto godliness." Here, the faith of God's elect, which is, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness. II Tim 2:11-13: " It is a faithful saying, for if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him and if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will also deny us. If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful. He cannot deny Himself.”
And this, it's a foregone conclusion that there, it uses the word "faithful" more than once, that the necessity of having faith and also without faith it is impossible to please God. We must believe that God is and God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Hebrews {I don't know if I got the exact wording of that verse.}
Hebrews 10:2-25: "Let us draw near with a true heart and a full assurance of faith with out hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Here is that abiding in Christ!
And Galatians 2:8: "For by grace ye are saved by faith and not of yourselves. It is the gift of God." Here you're, for by grace ye are saved by faith . . .I cannot overemphasize the importance and the necessity of faith too much according to the Scriptures.
Here is I Tim 6:6-?: "{This is from the Revised Standard Version}"There is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of the world, but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction, for the love of money is the root of all evil. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs. But as for you, man of God, shun all this, aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good faith, take hold of eternal life to which you were called when you were made through the good confession and presence of many witnesses, in the presence of God who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus who for the testimony before Pontius Pilate, make the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Here in Hebrews 4:1,2 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; did not profit them, not being mixed with faith." Here it's showing them that the profit of the Gospel did them no good because it was not mixed with faith. Here again, showing the necessity and the importance of faith.
In James 5:15 it says, "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick." Collossians 2:5: "Beholding your order and steadfastness of your faith in Christ." Ephesians 6:16,17: "Above all, taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God."
Here again we have faith mentioned hand in hand with salvation and especially the Word of God. Praise God. There are a few more verses that pertain to faith and the consequences of not holding to the faith that was once delivered to the saints, that "without faith it is impossible to please God." (Hebrews) "The just shall live by faith. But if any man draw back [ apostasize or wander away ], my soul has no pleasure in him." Hebrews. Also in the Gospel: "If any man take his hand from the plow, he is not worthy of the kingdom."
This last quote [I don't think it's an exact quote--I need to get the reference, too] but when the Lord said "take his hand from the plow," also "looking back" or "drawing back," or going back into the world or wandering away from the way of understanding, other terms that are like these here.
In I Tim 4:1: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith." This departing from the faith is an apostasy or one apostasizes or is an apostate and it's God the Holy Spirit that speaks expressly that in the latter times, or in the last days, or that some shall depart from the faith, we know from other Scriptures that there is one faith, one baptism, one Lord.
Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith! He is the Initiator and Perfecter of our faith. Our Lord, as the Good Farmer, nurtures our faith along it's way, to grow as seen in the parable of our Lord concerning the tree that hadn't yet bore fruit. But we also are to water and edify one another in the faith, as brothers and sisters in the Lord. We our exhorted to build ourselves up in the faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, Jude 20.
Called to be faithful for our Lord is the Faithful and True One, Rev.19:11 We're within the pages of the Book! Some of you might have seen the movie " The Never Ending Story" a children's film that depicts the two main characters throughout the movie as laboring, fighting, struggling together side-by-side. The reader finds out that he himself is within the story even while being the reader and as being vitally important to the whole kingdom! We also are within the pages of the Book and have a vitally important mission. To bring others into the Kingdom.
1. Historical faith is a belief in the truthfulness and accuracy of the Scriptures, Scriptural narrative and teachings. "James 2:17,24.
2. Saving faith is the acceptance by the intellect, affection, and will, of God's favor extended to men through Christ. This faith produces a sincere obedience in the life and conversation. The firm foundation of faith is the essential supreme perfection of God, His unerring knowledge, immutable truths, infinite goodness, and almighty power. And with this faith we are said to be justified. Romans 5:1.
Formerly, as if it were our righteousness before God, it is called the faith through which we are saved. Ephesians 2:8. Faith is, as it were, a condition on our part whereby we come to be partakers of the blessings of the new covenant. It is a faith which worketh by love. Ephesians 5:6. It is not an idle, inactive grace, but shows itself by producing love to God and our neighbor. Faith in Scripture is also taken for truth and faithfulness of God. Romans 3:3. Faith is also used for the doctrine of the Gospel which is the object of faith. Acts 24:24; Galatians 1:23.
For the Biblical definition of faith, Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The Lord Jesus, in the Gospel of John, likens faith to the vine and the branches in that we must abide in that relationship with God if we're going to be saved. Salvation is in separable from faith. I Peter 1:5: "Who {Christians} are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." This is a very strong statement in I Peter 1:5: " . . .kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation."
Next we have I Peter 1:9: "Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." Another very strong and powerful statement: " . ..receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."
Next verse is Hebrews 10:39: "The just shall live by faith, out if any man draws back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him." A very strong statement to the necessity of abiding in the faith and not drawing back. Also along with that could be studied Ephesians 6:16, actually Ephesians 6:10 all the way, even unto the end of the chapter just for extra context and study. Titus 1:1: "Paul, a bondservant of God and and apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and an acknowledging of the truth which is unto godliness." Here, the faith of God's elect, which is, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness. II Tim 2:11-13: " It is a faithful saying, for if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him and if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will also deny us. If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful. He cannot deny Himself.”
And this, it's a foregone conclusion that there, it uses the word "faithful" more than once, that the necessity of having faith and also without faith it is impossible to please God. We must believe that God is and God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Hebrews {I don't know if I got the exact wording of that verse.}
Hebrews 10:2-25: "Let us draw near with a true heart and a full assurance of faith with out hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Here is that abiding in Christ!
And Galatians 2:8: "For by grace ye are saved by faith and not of yourselves. It is the gift of God." Here you're, for by grace ye are saved by faith . . .I cannot overemphasize the importance and the necessity of faith too much according to the Scriptures.
Here is I Tim 6:6-?: "{This is from the Revised Standard Version}"There is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of the world, but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction, for the love of money is the root of all evil. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs. But as for you, man of God, shun all this, aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good faith, take hold of eternal life to which you were called when you were made through the good confession and presence of many witnesses, in the presence of God who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus who for the testimony before Pontius Pilate, make the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Here in Hebrews 4:1,2 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; did not profit them, not being mixed with faith." Here it's showing them that the profit of the Gospel did them no good because it was not mixed with faith. Here again, showing the necessity and the importance of faith.
In James 5:15 it says, "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick." Collossians 2:5: "Beholding your order and steadfastness of your faith in Christ." Ephesians 6:16,17: "Above all, taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God."
Here again we have faith mentioned hand in hand with salvation and especially the Word of God. Praise God. There are a few more verses that pertain to faith and the consequences of not holding to the faith that was once delivered to the saints, that "without faith it is impossible to please God." (Hebrews) "The just shall live by faith. But if any man draw back [ apostasize or wander away ], my soul has no pleasure in him." Hebrews. Also in the Gospel: "If any man take his hand from the plow, he is not worthy of the kingdom."
This last quote [I don't think it's an exact quote--I need to get the reference, too] but when the Lord said "take his hand from the plow," also "looking back" or "drawing back," or going back into the world or wandering away from the way of understanding, other terms that are like these here.
In I Tim 4:1: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith." This departing from the faith is an apostasy or one apostasizes or is an apostate and it's God the Holy Spirit that speaks expressly that in the latter times, or in the last days, or that some shall depart from the faith, we know from other Scriptures that there is one faith, one baptism, one Lord.
Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith! He is the Initiator and Perfecter of our faith. Our Lord, as the Good Farmer, nurtures our faith along it's way, to grow as seen in the parable of our Lord concerning the tree that hadn't yet bore fruit. But we also are to water and edify one another in the faith, as brothers and sisters in the Lord. We our exhorted to build ourselves up in the faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, Jude 20.
Called to be faithful for our Lord is the Faithful and True One, Rev.19:11 We're within the pages of the Book! Some of you might have seen the movie " The Never Ending Story" a children's film that depicts the two main characters throughout the movie as laboring, fighting, struggling together side-by-side. The reader finds out that he himself is within the story even while being the reader and as being vitally important to the whole kingdom! We also are within the pages of the Book and have a vitally important mission. To bring others into the Kingdom.
The Quick and the Dead
The whole question of whether there is going to be a pre-trib rapture or a post-trib rapture is, of course, a question of timing. Not whether there will be a rapture {a "catching up" of God's people}, but when this "taking up" of God's people will be. If the Holy Scriptures declare the timing of the "catching up" of God's people, which is commonly called the "rapture," then all other theological bordering doctrines must flow into a harmony with this fact that the Bible reveals.
Again, I'd like to repeat what you all know, that the word "rapture" is not in the Bible, yet they say that nether is the word trinity. Continually the Resurrection is the emphasis in the Bible. The "transformation" of the Living in Christ is an aspect of the Resurrection. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.
Many must go to some lengths to fit this square peg into a round hole. They do this by saying that the Latin translation of the Bible contains the word "caught-up" which in Latin is raptura where we get our English word rapture which means: exaltation, elation, exhilaration, thrill, [slang] rush, ... yet throughout the Bible, the doctrines that are central are always: the Resurrection, translation, to be changed, transformed,... In Heb.11.5 ...
The Greek sheds some light on our end-time study. Strongs Concordance shows different Greek words are used for the words that are in the K.J.V. as "quick, quicken, quickenth, quickening". Here are the references for Quick- Strong's # 2198 Acts 10.42, 2 Timothy 4.1, Hebrews 4.12 and 1 Peter 4.5 . For Quicken, Quickenth, and Quickening - # 2227 at Romans 8.11, 1 Peter 3.18, John 5.21, John 6.63, Romans 4.17, 1 Timothy 6.13,14; 1 Cor. 15.45, and 1 Cor.15.36. In most translations these Greek words are rendered "living, made alive, gives life. What I'd like you to keep in mind is that in these key verses "quicken" means to make alive those already physically alive, which is obvious from the context and usage! David said in Psalms "Thy word has Quickened me O Lord" making king David spiritually alive while he was already physically alive! And in some of the passages that this Greek word [ Quick, Quicken, etc.] is used, the context seems to shout TRANSLATED, TRANSFORMED, RAPTURED!!!
This has deep meaning and far-reaching effects in the theological question of timing! In these passages I believe that the K.J.V. has more correctly translated the Greek words, although living, made alive, and give life, are correct.
My point is that if Quicken is understood as translated, made alive [spiritually alive], changed as transformed then the timing of these passages demands that this translating, this transformation, this rapture takes place at the Glorious Second Coming of Christ at the end of the Great Tribulation!!! Please re-read these passages where the words "quick and the dead" quicken your mortal bodies" and all the other verses quoted in this chapter carefully and prayerfully. In this case the K.J.V. has done Christianity a great service by retaining these in the English translation over from the Greek.
Again, I'd like to repeat what you all know, that the word "rapture" is not in the Bible, yet they say that nether is the word trinity. Continually the Resurrection is the emphasis in the Bible. The "transformation" of the Living in Christ is an aspect of the Resurrection. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.
Many must go to some lengths to fit this square peg into a round hole. They do this by saying that the Latin translation of the Bible contains the word "caught-up" which in Latin is raptura where we get our English word rapture which means: exaltation, elation, exhilaration, thrill, [slang] rush, ... yet throughout the Bible, the doctrines that are central are always: the Resurrection, translation, to be changed, transformed,... In Heb.11.5 ...
The Greek sheds some light on our end-time study. Strongs Concordance shows different Greek words are used for the words that are in the K.J.V. as "quick, quicken, quickenth, quickening". Here are the references for Quick- Strong's # 2198 Acts 10.42, 2 Timothy 4.1, Hebrews 4.12 and 1 Peter 4.5 . For Quicken, Quickenth, and Quickening - # 2227 at Romans 8.11, 1 Peter 3.18, John 5.21, John 6.63, Romans 4.17, 1 Timothy 6.13,14; 1 Cor. 15.45, and 1 Cor.15.36. In most translations these Greek words are rendered "living, made alive, gives life. What I'd like you to keep in mind is that in these key verses "quicken" means to make alive those already physically alive, which is obvious from the context and usage! David said in Psalms "Thy word has Quickened me O Lord" making king David spiritually alive while he was already physically alive! And in some of the passages that this Greek word [ Quick, Quicken, etc.] is used, the context seems to shout TRANSLATED, TRANSFORMED, RAPTURED!!!
This has deep meaning and far-reaching effects in the theological question of timing! In these passages I believe that the K.J.V. has more correctly translated the Greek words, although living, made alive, and give life, are correct.
My point is that if Quicken is understood as translated, made alive [spiritually alive], changed as transformed then the timing of these passages demands that this translating, this transformation, this rapture takes place at the Glorious Second Coming of Christ at the end of the Great Tribulation!!! Please re-read these passages where the words "quick and the dead" quicken your mortal bodies" and all the other verses quoted in this chapter carefully and prayerfully. In this case the K.J.V. has done Christianity a great service by retaining these in the English translation over from the Greek.
Rest and Rewards
There are different definitions of "rest". And as Christians, we have a more complete understanding than a non-believer, who knows only what he or she experiences as a natural-man or natural woman. Everyone is familiar with sayings like "You need to take a rest, you've worked hard all day long. Meaning, a physical rest for the body. Or,"Put your mind at rest, everything is taken care of!" Meaning, Give your mind a rest! Or as the world and sometimes Christians say "Rest in Peace! [ R.I.P.]" It is this last phrase I'd like to elaborate on now. SOME CROSS REFERENCES: PS:37.7a "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him."
Rest for your soul. Heb.4.9,10,11 "There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience." Matt. 11:28,29b "Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest...you will find rest for your souls."
And in Revelation 6:9-11 "When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the alter the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying,"How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" And a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them; that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed." Here the dead in Christ were instructed to rest until the complete congregation was fulfilled!
This is a significant statement, for the meaning of the word "church" is "the called-out ones", a gathering, a group. These are in the presence of the Lord in heaven yet still waiting the final rest of being united with their resurrection bodies! When will this happen? Aren't you begging the question? Well, let me state that this will of course happen on Resurrection Day! The Last-Day!
Turn with me in your Bible first to 1 Thess. 4. 13- ***** to second Thessalonians chapter one and read with me verses one thru twelve "Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds towards each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." Did you get those brethren? "... and to you who are troubled rest with us WHEN THE LORD JESUS IS REVEALED FROM HEAVEN WITH HIS MIGHTY ANGELS..." When Jesus comes back in power and glory at His glorious second coming we will receive rest with all the other saints in Christ ...in that Day! Elaborate...
A eternal rest that even the dead in Christ are waiting for, which is: the rest of being joined to resurrection bodies, like that of their Lord's. see the chapter on FOR AND WITH for more on this subject. Another area of Bible doctrine is that of "the Rewards of the saints". Those who teach the novel per-tribulational rapture, make a unique distinction the judgment [of the nations] when Christ comes in glory and a pre-trib. rapture judgment of believers referred to as "the Bema seat of Christ".
Here are some quotes from some respected teachers and Pastors to state this distinction: [Chuck Smith; Jeff Johnson; Hal Lindsay; John Walvoord; etc... So these say that this Bema seat of Christ is years before Christ comes in glory and is strictly for the rewards of believers!
Now let us turn to the New Testament and see how this Greek word "Bema" seat is used. The first occurrence of it is in Matthew 27.19-30 And here we find that Jesus stood before "the Bema seat of Pilate. Pilate washed his hands and handed Jesus over to the crowd to be mocked, crowned with thorns, ridiculed, spit upon, and struck on the head (all for us and are sakes, Praise God). The next set of verses is found in Acts 18:12, 16, 17. They brought Paul in before the Bema seat in Achaia and the Jews brought accusations against Paul and Gallio stood in Paul's defense and the Jews had Sosthenenes beaten in front of the Bema seat or Judgment seat. And in Acts 25:6,10,17 Paul stands before Festus and says he is now standing before "Caesar's Bema seat," Caesar's judgment seat! Then he goes in front of King Agrippa and Bernice. So we see from these few N.T. uses of the word "Bema seat or judgment seat that rewards in the good=sense are not the picture as pre-rib rapturists would have us believe! Now we'll look at how some other translations and paraphrases render Bema seat. In Matt 27:19 P.M.V. "sitting on the bench" the T.E.V. "judgment hall" the J.B. "sitting in the seat of judgment" the N.E.B. "sitting in the court" and N.I.V. "the judge's seat. John 19:13 L.B. "judgment Bench" the N.I.V. and the T.E.V. say "judge's seat" the J.B. "chair of judgment" and the N.E.B. "seat on the tribunal". Now for Acts 18:12, 16,17. Other versions like Greens's Greek N.T. the R.S.V. and J.B. say "tribunal" whereas the T.E.V. the P.M.V. and the N.E.B. say "Court". Now in Romans 14:10, the K.J.V. says "Judgment seat of Christ," whereas the R.S.V. the L.B. and the J.B. says "Judgment seat of God" and the N.I.V. says "God's judgment seat". The N.E.B. in this passage says "We shall all stand before God's tribunal." II Cor 5:10 the N.E.B. "For we must all have our lives laid open before the tribunal of Christ." In the J.B. it says, "in the law court of Christ," and T.E.V. "we must appear before Christ to be judged by him," and the N.I.V. says "judgment seat of Christ."
It needs to be stated that, frequently the Bible uses the word "rewards" in a "two-fold sense", for both good rewards and bad rewards! Here are some New Testament references for both its good and bad inferences [connotations!]:
for good for bad
Psalms 31.23 (both) Matt. 10.41,42
Acts 1.18 Luke 6.23,35
2 Tim. 4.14 1 Cor.3.8,14
2 Peter 2.13 1 Cor.9.17,18
Jude 11 Col. 2.18/3.24
Rev. 18.6 with Ps.137 1Tim.5.18
Heb. 2.2/10.35/11.26 Give more references!
2 John 8 Rev. 11.18 / 22.12
Sometimes reward is translated as [render]! Or render is translated as reward. Jesus, after He had given the parable of the Wheat and the Tares in Matt.13 and saying that both are to grow together until the Harvest, three chapters later makes a strong statement concerning the timing of the rewards of believers. Matthew 16.27 "For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father's glory with His angels, and He will REWARD each person according to what he has done."
1 Corinthians 3.7,8 Paul is talking about winning souls for Christ and says "...and each will be REWARDED according to his own labor."
And please notice the incredible wording of Romans 2.5,6 "But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath against yourself for the Day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will RENDER [or REWARD] to each one according to his deeds." And Rev. 11.18 "The nations were angry and your wrath has come and the time of the dead they should be judged, and that You should REWARD Your servants the Prophets and the saints,..." And in Rev. 22.12 "And behold, I am coming quickly and My REWARD is with Me, to give to every one according to his work."
The timing of this rewarding is clearly put forth in the Scriptures, when Jesus Christ comes in power and glory, at the end of the Great Tribulation! Now here are few references to REWARDS in the bad sense! Acts 1.18,20 "Now this man [Judas Iscariot] purchased a field with the wages of iniquitity [the margin note says: reward of unrighteousness] and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrils gushed out... let his habitation be desolate and let no one live in it, and let another take his office..."
2 Timothy 4.14 "Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord REWARD him according to his works. You also must beware of him for he has greatly resisted our words." 2 Peter 2.13 "And will receive the wages [reward] of unrighteousness as those who court it pleasure to course in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you."
Some might say that [wages] refers only to the wicked and [reward] only to believers, the righteous. Just a couple more references should make the point clear. Proverbs 10.16 "The labor of the righteous leads to life, the wages of the wicked to sin." 1 Timothy 5.17,18 "Those who labor in the word and doctrine...are worthy of their wages [reward]!"
Another area in which pre-tribers try to make a difference which has to do with rewards is Crowns! They try to make distinctions by saying that the crowns in the Bible are different... such as "A Crown of Life" an "Incorruptible Crown" a "Crown of Righteousness" a "Crown of Glory" and a "Martyr's Crown". Most of distinctions would almost be unimportant and only an issue hardly worth mentioning except when it comes to the area of Pre-trib. Theology! The implication that is brought out is, in so many words, a crown for Church Age Believers and Tribulation Believers. Some go to considerable lengths to describe or teach a distinction of many crowns for Believers. Here are some selected references to "Crowns" pertaining to Believers in the N.T. First is 1 Cor.9.25 ...they do it for a corruptible crown ...and we run the race for an incorruptible one! Philip. 4.1 "Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so steadfast in the Lord, beloved." With 1 Thess.2.19 "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming. _
Rest for your soul. Heb.4.9,10,11 "There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience." Matt. 11:28,29b "Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest...you will find rest for your souls."
And in Revelation 6:9-11 "When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the alter the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying,"How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" And a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them; that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed." Here the dead in Christ were instructed to rest until the complete congregation was fulfilled!
This is a significant statement, for the meaning of the word "church" is "the called-out ones", a gathering, a group. These are in the presence of the Lord in heaven yet still waiting the final rest of being united with their resurrection bodies! When will this happen? Aren't you begging the question? Well, let me state that this will of course happen on Resurrection Day! The Last-Day!
Turn with me in your Bible first to 1 Thess. 4. 13- ***** to second Thessalonians chapter one and read with me verses one thru twelve "Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds towards each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." Did you get those brethren? "... and to you who are troubled rest with us WHEN THE LORD JESUS IS REVEALED FROM HEAVEN WITH HIS MIGHTY ANGELS..." When Jesus comes back in power and glory at His glorious second coming we will receive rest with all the other saints in Christ ...in that Day! Elaborate...
A eternal rest that even the dead in Christ are waiting for, which is: the rest of being joined to resurrection bodies, like that of their Lord's. see the chapter on FOR AND WITH for more on this subject. Another area of Bible doctrine is that of "the Rewards of the saints". Those who teach the novel per-tribulational rapture, make a unique distinction the judgment [of the nations] when Christ comes in glory and a pre-trib. rapture judgment of believers referred to as "the Bema seat of Christ".
Here are some quotes from some respected teachers and Pastors to state this distinction: [Chuck Smith; Jeff Johnson; Hal Lindsay; John Walvoord; etc... So these say that this Bema seat of Christ is years before Christ comes in glory and is strictly for the rewards of believers!
Now let us turn to the New Testament and see how this Greek word "Bema" seat is used. The first occurrence of it is in Matthew 27.19-30 And here we find that Jesus stood before "the Bema seat of Pilate. Pilate washed his hands and handed Jesus over to the crowd to be mocked, crowned with thorns, ridiculed, spit upon, and struck on the head (all for us and are sakes, Praise God). The next set of verses is found in Acts 18:12, 16, 17. They brought Paul in before the Bema seat in Achaia and the Jews brought accusations against Paul and Gallio stood in Paul's defense and the Jews had Sosthenenes beaten in front of the Bema seat or Judgment seat. And in Acts 25:6,10,17 Paul stands before Festus and says he is now standing before "Caesar's Bema seat," Caesar's judgment seat! Then he goes in front of King Agrippa and Bernice. So we see from these few N.T. uses of the word "Bema seat or judgment seat that rewards in the good=sense are not the picture as pre-rib rapturists would have us believe! Now we'll look at how some other translations and paraphrases render Bema seat. In Matt 27:19 P.M.V. "sitting on the bench" the T.E.V. "judgment hall" the J.B. "sitting in the seat of judgment" the N.E.B. "sitting in the court" and N.I.V. "the judge's seat. John 19:13 L.B. "judgment Bench" the N.I.V. and the T.E.V. say "judge's seat" the J.B. "chair of judgment" and the N.E.B. "seat on the tribunal". Now for Acts 18:12, 16,17. Other versions like Greens's Greek N.T. the R.S.V. and J.B. say "tribunal" whereas the T.E.V. the P.M.V. and the N.E.B. say "Court". Now in Romans 14:10, the K.J.V. says "Judgment seat of Christ," whereas the R.S.V. the L.B. and the J.B. says "Judgment seat of God" and the N.I.V. says "God's judgment seat". The N.E.B. in this passage says "We shall all stand before God's tribunal." II Cor 5:10 the N.E.B. "For we must all have our lives laid open before the tribunal of Christ." In the J.B. it says, "in the law court of Christ," and T.E.V. "we must appear before Christ to be judged by him," and the N.I.V. says "judgment seat of Christ."
It needs to be stated that, frequently the Bible uses the word "rewards" in a "two-fold sense", for both good rewards and bad rewards! Here are some New Testament references for both its good and bad inferences [connotations!]:
for good for bad
Psalms 31.23 (both) Matt. 10.41,42
Acts 1.18 Luke 6.23,35
2 Tim. 4.14 1 Cor.3.8,14
2 Peter 2.13 1 Cor.9.17,18
Jude 11 Col. 2.18/3.24
Rev. 18.6 with Ps.137 1Tim.5.18
Heb. 2.2/10.35/11.26 Give more references!
2 John 8 Rev. 11.18 / 22.12
Sometimes reward is translated as [render]! Or render is translated as reward. Jesus, after He had given the parable of the Wheat and the Tares in Matt.13 and saying that both are to grow together until the Harvest, three chapters later makes a strong statement concerning the timing of the rewards of believers. Matthew 16.27 "For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father's glory with His angels, and He will REWARD each person according to what he has done."
1 Corinthians 3.7,8 Paul is talking about winning souls for Christ and says "...and each will be REWARDED according to his own labor."
And please notice the incredible wording of Romans 2.5,6 "But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath against yourself for the Day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will RENDER [or REWARD] to each one according to his deeds." And Rev. 11.18 "The nations were angry and your wrath has come and the time of the dead they should be judged, and that You should REWARD Your servants the Prophets and the saints,..." And in Rev. 22.12 "And behold, I am coming quickly and My REWARD is with Me, to give to every one according to his work."
The timing of this rewarding is clearly put forth in the Scriptures, when Jesus Christ comes in power and glory, at the end of the Great Tribulation! Now here are few references to REWARDS in the bad sense! Acts 1.18,20 "Now this man [Judas Iscariot] purchased a field with the wages of iniquitity [the margin note says: reward of unrighteousness] and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrils gushed out... let his habitation be desolate and let no one live in it, and let another take his office..."
2 Timothy 4.14 "Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord REWARD him according to his works. You also must beware of him for he has greatly resisted our words." 2 Peter 2.13 "And will receive the wages [reward] of unrighteousness as those who court it pleasure to course in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you."
Some might say that [wages] refers only to the wicked and [reward] only to believers, the righteous. Just a couple more references should make the point clear. Proverbs 10.16 "The labor of the righteous leads to life, the wages of the wicked to sin." 1 Timothy 5.17,18 "Those who labor in the word and doctrine...are worthy of their wages [reward]!"
Another area in which pre-tribers try to make a difference which has to do with rewards is Crowns! They try to make distinctions by saying that the crowns in the Bible are different... such as "A Crown of Life" an "Incorruptible Crown" a "Crown of Righteousness" a "Crown of Glory" and a "Martyr's Crown". Most of distinctions would almost be unimportant and only an issue hardly worth mentioning except when it comes to the area of Pre-trib. Theology! The implication that is brought out is, in so many words, a crown for Church Age Believers and Tribulation Believers. Some go to considerable lengths to describe or teach a distinction of many crowns for Believers. Here are some selected references to "Crowns" pertaining to Believers in the N.T. First is 1 Cor.9.25 ...they do it for a corruptible crown ...and we run the race for an incorruptible one! Philip. 4.1 "Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so steadfast in the Lord, beloved." With 1 Thess.2.19 "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming. _
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