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                                        What does the Bible teach about Priests?       Part1
                                               
 In the Old Testament the word “priest” is used 424 times and it is used to define the duties of the Old Testament priests.

  In the New Testament the word “priest” is found 55 times and is used to describe the “Jewish priests” of the Temple or to
 Jesus Christ Himself as our High Priest. The word priest is never connected to the church except when the word is used to
 describe Jesus being the High Priest or the priesthood of all believers. There are no directions for priests in the New Testament
 because there is no need for instructions; the new priesthood is made up of all believers.

  The word “priesthood” is used 16 times in the Bible, 9 times in the Old Testament and 7 times in the New Testament. The Jewish
 priesthood of the Levites was replaced by the priesthood of all believers with Jesus Christ as our Great High Priest.

1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the
 praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light”:

   When Jesus Christ died on the cross the veil of the temple was torn in half starting from the top to symbolize the fact that God has
 changed the method of Salvation.

Matthew 27:51 “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and
 the rocks rent;”

 No longer was God to be approached by man through a priest. Man now has direct access to God and can pray directly to God the father
 and to confess directly to God the Father. We have access to God’s throne because Jesus Christ has paid our sin dept in full and He is the
 one and only mediator between God and Man.

 1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

   As Christians we are supposed to have a personal relationship with God. We have been given the Holy Spirit to indwell us and be our
 teacher and guide, equipping us for service. We were meant to be a royal priesthood, each and every one of us. When we understand
 the truth it changes our lives. We have been created with a purpose. The body of Christ is a holy priesthood, all believers are priests.

1 Peter 2:5 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to
 God by Jesus Christ.”

   The true church of Jesus Christ is made of people, not buildings. The true church is the body of Christ, which is made up of believers.
 The Roman Catholic Church has created a priesthood that is not taught in the Bible. To fund the building of Saint Peters Basilica,
 Pope Leo the 10th sold indulgences, which he proclaimed could free anyone bound in, or destined for, purgatory. Purgatory is not a biblical
 doctrine. Imagine selling a pardon which gave permission to sin being sold in order to pay for a building made by human hands. This is history,
 read Martin Luther’s 95 theses.


The pope was selling pardons to escape purgatory which in truth does not exist. Jesus Christ paid for all our sins completely on the cross.
 We he said “it is finished” in the verse below, he meant our redemption. 
John 19:30 “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost”.

   When Jesus was crucified there were 2 other men crucified with him. Both men were guilty of some crime and both men started off
 mocking Jesus. As they hung there dying, one of the men repented and changed his mind about Jesus. Watching the Godly way he
 behaved while dying, and seeing how the people hated and mocked him, he came to the conclusion that Jesus was the Christ, the
 Messiah. Look at his testimony.

Luke 23:42-43 “And he said unto Jesus, Lord; remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
    And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

   A simple testimony which acknowledged that Jesus is the Lord and King, and that he has a kingdom. Jesus told him he would be
 in paradise with him that very day. There was no need for Christ to suffer anymore after he died on the cross. He said “it is finished”,
 which meant “mission accomplished”, “Salvation Complete”. Believers do not suffer in purgatory but believers go to be with Christ
 when they die. Jesus showed us that this man was acceptable to paradise and he was never baptized. If he could have been baptized
 he probably would have wanted to be baptized but it wasn’t necessary for him to enter paradise with Jesus that day. The thief on the
 cross shows us the minimum it takes to be saved. If you read all the gospel accounts you will see that he mocked Jesus at first. He
 repented, which means changed his mind. The thief didn’t get baptized at all, not sprinkled or immersed. He didn’t do anything other
 than the only thing he could do. He was dying and nailed to a cross. Luckily he didn’t need to do any ritual to be saved. He did what
 we all must do. Come to the Lord Jesus by faith alone. This man had no good works; on the contrary, he was being executed for evil
 works. He admitted his guilt. If only we would all just admit our guilt and trust in the Lord Jesus to save us He will. We could learn a lot
 looking at the thief on the cross.

   We need to be careful we don’t start making up rules that go against grace, for it is by grace alone that we have been saved.
The Roman Catholic Church has traded the truth for lies. They have chosen to “play” church with rituals just like the Jews. They have
 traded many great doctrines for false doctrines. The royal priesthood of all believers. They deny this doctrine when they place themselves
 between men and God. They falsely assume I need to go through them to approach my God, denying my true relationship with God. I have
 direct access to God. The Holy Spirit dwells within me. I do not need to go to a priest because I am a priest according to the Bible. If this is
 offensive, I’m sorry that you are offended but the truth is more important than anything. Souls depend on the truth being taught and false
 doctrine must be exposed.

      The Bible teaches that the Bible itself is the final authority:                             Part2

2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
 righteousness:

   The Bible teaches me that I have been given the final authority that can be trusted for the teaching of doctrine, and by which
 all things must be tested. Men lie and misunderstand things, but God has provided us with the Bible, which is the inspired Word of God,
 inerrant in its original form. When the doctrine of man differs from the doctrine taught in Scriptures, the Scriptures have final authority.

  Many churches have departed from the Word of God and follow doctrines that are based on church tradition, or doctrines created by
 councils or popes. The Bible tells us that Satan deceives and that we must test everything by the Word of God. If you ever find yourself
 saying that the Bible is wrong, realize that you are declaring God to be a liar. The Bible is never wrong. If anyone tells you that the
 Scriptures do not mean what they clearly teach you are being lied to.

    Satan is brilliant and he has been trying to destroy the church from its beginning. He seeks to steal the true doctrines of the church
 and replace them with worthless ritual and false doctrines of demons. Satan loves false religion. Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
 His ministers are disguised as ministers of righteousness. There are many apostate churches with unsaved priests and unsaved members
 playing church. Does your church teach that the heavens and earth were created in 6 literal days?

    Does your church teach the 10 commandments found in the Bible are true? Do you know that the Ten Commandments themselves teach
 the creation of the universe in 6 days? When God gave the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy he did so by confirming that he made
 the world in 6 days and rested on the seventh.

Exodus 20:11  “For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day:
 wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.

The Bible teaches God created the heavens and the earth and that because of Adam’s sin death entered into the world.

Romans 5:12  “ Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men,
 for that all have sinned:”

   Evolution is a lie of Satan and can be challenged and defeated because it is a lie. Science automatically assumes there is no
 creator so they must have billions of years for things to form and then evolve without a creator or a mechanism. The greatest
 modern myth is the myth of the big bang theory. I find it laughable to think people actually believe everything that exists was
 once condensed down to pin dot that exploded and created all the matter that exists in the universe. Then I consider all the life
 forms that exist and the way all created things were designed with a purpose and a programming so every creature has a built in
 instinct for how to survive.  I see the awesome design in every creature God Created, while a scientist denies the creator before
 ever they ever examine the evidence in many sciences like geology, biology…

   I testify that the Bible is the Word of God and that we can confidently trust the Bible and use the Bible to test all things.
 We need to see the world through a Biblical perspective. We have been given an amazing gift of having God’s Word in written
 form so we may study and use the find God’s purpose for our lives. The Bible is God’s way of communicating with His church.
 We cannot know God without reading His Word. Everything God needs to tell us is contained in the Holy Bible.

   No wonder we have so many dead churches, people have lost their love of the Word of God. Do you know that you were
 predestined to do things? How do you expect to find out why you were created? Are you waiting for someone to tell you what
 you’re supposed to do with your life, and why you’re here? Well God seeks to answer those questions for each person on this
 planet except we resist God.

   How often do people ask God what He would like them to do? Not very often is a truthful answer. People are afraid of what God
 might have them do. We want God to rescue us whenever we decide we need Him but He really don’t want a relationship with
 Him do we?

   We can all pretend God does not exist so we can chose to live our lives totally separated from Him and we will surely end up in Hell.
 Every person born is Hell bound because we are born as enemies of God. We are born in sin and we rebel against our creator and every
 person needs to be saved. There is no exemption for the virgin Mary, she is included and needs a savior just as we all do.

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”

   Roman Catholics have created a priesthood which was not biblically ordained and they have become the cult of the Virgin Mary.
 The mother of Jesus had at least 7 children according to the Bible. The Roman Catholic Church has created a mythical Mary, who is a
 perpetual Virgin.

  Armed only with my Bible and without the traditions of men I test everything by my Bible. When I read,

Matthew 23:9 “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.”

   I believe I’m being told not to call anyone on earth father. I don’t know how I’m supposed to address a Catholic Priest when I have
 been taught by Scripture not to call anyone father. The priesthood of God is composed of all believers. I don’t believe in the Roman
 Catholic priesthood and I can’t by conscience address them as father because Scripture teaches not to.

    I know that a Catholic priest has some reason why he is allowed to be called father and why the Bible is wrong, he has to have some
 tradition or reason why he ignores the Word of God and will teach me that I should also ignore Scripture’s command not to call anyone
 ”Father”. Woe to you in the clergy when you teach the Bible is wrong, when you in fact are the one who is wrong and to prideful to admit it.
 Satan loves it when we dismiss the truth of God’s written Word for the lies of men.

                                                                                                                                                                       Part3
     I’m not just against hypocrisy in the Roman Catholic Church but in all the Churches. I went to a wedding at a Protestant church that
 had a woman pastor. Now I ask you this question. Can a woman preach the whole Word of God? Could a woman preach a sermon on
 the verse below?     
                                                                                                                                                                   
1 Corinthians 14:34 “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded
 to be under obedience, as also saith the law.”

   Just as a Catholic priest must have some explanation as to why he ignores the Scripture which forbid us from calling men “Father” the
 woman pastor must have some reason why she is ignoring the clear written Word of God. Do you think she will ever preach a sermon on
 the subject or will she always choose to skip over teaching that verse of Scripture? If you can’t preach the entire Word of God you should
 not be preaching the Word of God in a position of leadership.

   We need to get back to the Bible and the truth it contains. We need to be strengthening up the body of Christ by boldly teaching the
 whole Word of God. All believers should be reading the Bible. All Christians should be studying the Bible. In truth many of the churches today
 have become cults that are all about money or dog and pony show church services. I’ve heard enough singing and not enough truth being
 proclaimed from the Word of God.

   We are in the Last days and Satan is prowling about trying to keep as many people as possible from escaping his reach at the Rapture of
 the Church. Satan prioritizes. Right now the primary mission is to steal the faith from those in the church and fill them with false doctrine so
 they may be left behind when the Rapture of the true Church takes place.

   Satan has the entire world except true Christians. Satan has entered into many of the great denominations and corrupted their understanding
 of Scripture by having men ignore the written Word of God in exchange for doctrines established by councils and false teaching. Roman Catholics
 have become a false priesthood that was never ordained by the Bible, and they deny the true priesthood of all believers.

      The Bible teaches that:
1.   Scripture alone has authority.
2.   Justification is by faith alone.
3.   There is a new priesthood which is made up of all believers.

   The Roman Catholic Church sold itself to Satan when it began the practice of the selling of indulgences in order to build Saint Peters Basilica.
 The false doctrine of purgatory was introduced although it is clearly no Scriptural.  The Biblical mother of Jesus had 7 children according to
 the Bible but the Catholic Church created a mythical Mary which people pray to for intercession.   
The Bible teaches that we have one mediator, Jesus Christ, but Catholics teach Mary can intercede also, which is a lie.

1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”

    Satan disguises himself as an angel of light and is allowed to do so. Why not, we have the Word of God that warned Satan would do it. We
 have the Bible to use to test the things we see and hear and are taught. Satan is brilliant in his deceptions.   Satan does not pretend to be
 the real Mary of the Bible; the real Mary had at least 7 children.  Satan pretends to be the mythical Virgin Mary wearing the Blue Dress she is
 portrayed wearing in all the “images” painted of her. Blue garments were expensive because of the dying process and blue and purple were
 colors only the wealthy could afford. Would God really allow Satan to disguise himself as Mary? I believe the answer is yes, Satan is allowed to
 portray the mythical Mary of their invention, who they pray to.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15  “ For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.14: And no marvel;
 for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15: Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
                                                                                                                                                                             
    Whenever people claim to have seen the “virgin Mary” she asks for churches to be built in honor of HER, instead of God the Father or Jesus.
 Satan wants to be worshipped. He will wear a blue dress to deceive you and steal the worship from God. We are told to test the Spirits by
 the Word of God. We were warned in advance that he would deceive with false miracles. The Roman Catholic church has been seduced by
 the doctrines of Demons.
   
    Satan has a short time left. He will have 3 ½ years of worship while indwelling the antichrist, but then Satan is locked up for a thousand years.
 He is released for a short time to try a final assault on those people who live during the millennium, and then he is cast into the lake of fire. Satan
 wants to be worshipped and his time is short. If Satan can deceive you into praying to him he will do that. He does do that. All the false religions
 are Satan’s handiwork. If he can steal prayer from God he will do it. When I hear people say that they pray to Mary because she magnifies their
 prayers I cringe. Satan has deceived so many people into praying the Rosary and praying to Mary instead of God the father in the name of
 Jesus Christ. Mary is being taught to be a prayer magnifier but in reality she is a prayer thief. When people pray to Mary, how should God respond
 to that?

Amen Paul2!

Brother, it's great to hear from you.

I agree completely that what the world needs right now is to go Back to the Bible and use it to measure all Truth. This makes things simple:  it's right if it's taught in the Holy Bible and wrong if it isn't. As a perfect example:  the message of Salvation is still the most powerful and precious message in the world, and it hasn't changed at all in almost 2,000 years.

Many churches have departed from the Truth of the Holy Bible, and God foretells us this will happen near the end days of this Age of Grace. The Bible also tells us that many will be deceived, and we are seeing this happen by the moment. As for my family and I, I give thanks every day that we are standing securely in the Gospel of The Grace of God. May God give us all the strength and guidance to do His Will until the moment that He Comes to take us Home. Brother, I think that time grows near.

Love In Christ,
Tom

I only disagree with women not being preachers. Aren't they suppose to be equal?

Hard to be "husband of one wife" unless you have some other sin going on :)

   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
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  There are Only Two Churches on Earth today, one is the True Church and will be Raptured, the other is Apostate
 and will be left behind at the Rapture of the true Church, vomited out into the Great Tribulation. Which Church do you belong to?

                                Don’t know what I’m talking about? Then it’s time for you to learn.

  The book of Revelation has seven letters to seven churches in Asia Minor. These letters have a threefold interpretation
 and application. The seven letters are prophetic.[/b]

 1. Contemporary - The letters applied to the first century local churches at the time the letters were written, and were
     practical letters, which addressed the condition of the churches.
 2. Composite- Each letter is a composite picture of the church. There is something applicable to all the churches in all the ages
     in each message to each individual church. These letters apply to the church universal, to every church and every believer personally.
 3. Chronological –The history of the church is given in these seven letters. The letters are prophetic and represent seven distinct periods of time.

    The dates given are approximate dates, in each case there was some event that caused a noticible shift from one period to the next.
             1.   Ephesus represents the apostolic church, from Pentecost 33ad. to 100ad. Apostles died out.
             2.    Smyrna represents the Martyr church from 100ad. To 314ad. Constantine embraces Christianity.
             3.    Pergamum represents the church from 314ad to 590ad. Paganism creeping in.
             4.    Thyatira represents the church from 590ad. To 1517ad.  The roman church of the dark ages.
             5.    Sardis represents the church from 1517ad. to 1800ad. The protestant reformation.
             6.     Philadelphia represents the church from 1800ad. To Present day till Rapture. Word of God Church.
             7.     Laodicea represents the apostate church from 1800ad. To Present day into the Great Tribulation.

    These seven letters are direct letters from Jesus Christ to His Churches and there are two churches on earth at the present time.
 The Church of Philadelphia is the true living church that Christ will Rapture. The Church of Laodicea is the apostate church which will
 be vomited out of the body of Christ into the Great Tribulation for having accepted false doctrine, while acquiring great wealth. Jesus
 is outside the apostate church knocking on the door. This church uses the name Jesus Christ but has lost the truth of the Word of God
 and false doctrine has caused them to be vomited out of the body of Christ. This is very symbolic. Because of false doctrine these people
 are not true born again believers and they make Christ sick to his stomach. These people have denied some important truth which
 disqualifies them from being “digested” into the body of Christ and Raptured when he calls the true church out of this world.

     I need to explain this verse by verse for this is indescribably important. Therefore I need to explain a few things. The last book of the Bible
 is the book of Revelation. The Book of Revelation is a book of prophecy and has a blessing and a curse. I will explain both before I begin
 teaching the Book of Revelation.

Revelation 1:1 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass;
 and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

    The title of the book itself tells us something, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, it means the revealing, the unveiling, of the program
of Jesus Christ. Jesus wanted His followers to understand His program, the overall battle plan of how the world will come into the
Kingdom of God. We are meant to study these things so that we understand, He wanted us to know these things or they wouldn’t
have been written to us. There is a blessing for the person who reads the book of Revelation and a blessing for those who hear the
words it contains. There is a blessing for the one who explains and teaches how to understand the book as well as a blessing for those
who are taught the meaning of the book.

   Revelation 1:3 “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein:
for the time is at hand.:4John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was,
and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;”   

   The Apostle John of Patmos was told to write to the seven churches in Asia:  Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia,
and Laodicea. The person reading this book gets a blessing, and those who hear and believe the Words of God written in the book receive
a blessing. There is also a curse which should make everyone handle this book with care and truth.

   Revelation 22:18 “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things,
God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: :19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

   This book has a heavy responsibility associated with it. God put a curse on this book to keep it exactly accurate. You can trust the Words
written in this book, just as you can trust in the Lord Jesus Christ who this awesome book reveals. I will present the Pre-Tribulation
interpretation of the Book of Revelation. Understand that the book of Revelation has a Blessing from God and a curse from God if misused.
I teach the only interpretation of the Book of Revelation which does not contradict itself with other Scripture. I am teaching the 
pre-millenial, pre-tribulation, futurist interpretation of the book of Revelation.

    I am focusing on the Two Churches that are on the earth today. The Church of Philidelphia is representative of the true Church and
the Letter from Christ to that church is a personal letter to us if we are in the true Church.

  Revelation 3:7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key
of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

   Jesus Christ has the key of David which speaks of His being the King of the Universe. Jesus Christ is the one who can open all the doors
 in the universe. He has the Keys to Heaven and Hell. He can open the door to Heaven when he chooses and he can shut the gates of
 Hell.  Jesus Christ alone has been given the authority and the Keys to the universe. We are told in Revelation 1:18 “I am he that liveth,
 and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” The Key of David is different from the
 keys of hell and death. Christ will open the door to Heaven and call His church out of this world.

 

 
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 Revelation 3:8 “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength,
 and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”

  The Church of Philadelphia was the church that was faithful to the Word of God in the first century.  In our day represents all the
 churches that are faithful to the Word of God, true Holy Spirit indwelt believers making up the true body of Christ. The true church
 is made up of people, not organizations or buildings. Each person is judged by their relationship to Jesus Christ.

    Those who have believed that “by faith alone” we are saved, by believing that the atoning death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ
 have paid for all our sins completely. We who believe that we have been justified, and we are being sanctified, and we will be glorified.
 This is the true Gospel. Jesus Christ has paid the consequences for all the sins ever committed. We must believe and trust that this is the
 truth. The true members of the Church of Jesus Christ are called to faith and are predestined to hear and will become true believers.

Romans 8:30 “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified,
 them he also glorified. I seek to find those who are called to hear the truth. I talk to everyone but I don’t offer everyone a ticket to Heaven.
 Heaven is only for the Church. The Jewish people of Old Testament times did not expect to go to Heaven but to be resurrected and live in
 peace on earth when the messiah would come. Heaven is a Christian concept that has been adopted by the rest of the world.

   “for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” The true church at the time of the Rapture
 will have a little strength, little power or influence. There are many small house churches around the world today with Christians that are
 reading and studying and teaching  the Word of God. The true church is made of human beings, and when we gather as a group we have
 a“church”. A church can gather anywhere. The great powerful denominations are not pictured here. This is the True church of the end times.
 This church believes the Word of God and testifies to the truth of the Word of God.
 
   Revelation 3:9 “Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie: behold, I will make
 them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.”

   The Jews of the first century had something they never saw coming happen. Jesus Christ fulfilled their religion with his sacrificial death so
 that those who remained in the synagogues were now in a false religion. Salvation could not be achieved by following the law; God changed
 the system by which man could receive Salvation. Salvation was now available only by faith alone in Jesus Christ and his atoning death and
 resurrection. The church of Philadelphia was being told that the Jews who were making their lives miserable by persecuting them would one
 day realize that God loved the church and the gentiles that belong to His church.

   Revelation 3:10 “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon
 all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”

   Because we have held onto the truth of the Bible and have believed it was the Word of God and have waited with patience, we will be
 kept from the hour of temptation. Where can we be kept? Look at the rest of the verse. The hour of trial shall come upon all those who
 dwell on the earth. There is no place on earth that will be safe. The entire Christ rejecting world will be under the wrath of God. 

   The true Church of Jesus Christ will be removed from the earth, at the event known as “The Rapture of the Church”. The word Rapture
 does not appear in the Bible, just as the word Trinity is not found in the Bible but the doctrine itself is taught. For some reason we have
 chosen poor names for our great doctrines because we have two great doctrines, the Trinity, and the Rapture, and both require an examination
 of the Scriptures to find them.

    1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump
 of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: :17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet
 the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

    When the Church is complete, when the last person called to be a member of the body of Christ becomes a believer, Jesus Christ will call His
 church to meet him in the clouds and He will take the true church to Heaven to the place he prepared from us. Only the Church can expect
 to see Heaven, the rest of the world can hope to receive life in the kingdom of God on earth when He returns at the Second Coming of Christ
 to establish His Millennial Kingdom. The true Church of Christ has a very distinct, awesome destiny. We have our citizenship in Heaven and we will
 be able to go back and forth between the earth and Heaven.

   John 14: 2 “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.:3And if I go and
 prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

   Revelation 3:11  “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”

    When it says Quickly it does not mean soon, it means suddenly, we are to be patiently expectant. We are to hold onto the truth we have,
 and not to let anyone deceive us with false doctrine which would steal my crown. There are different crowns given by Christ as rewards to the
 Churches.

    2 Timothy 4:8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:
 and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

    There is a crown given for those who love the fact that Jesus is coming for His Church. I have heard so many people say they hope it’s not in
 their lifetime. They won’t be receiving this crown and probably will end up in Hell instead of finding Salvation. I long for the day when Christ will
 take me up to the clouds and perfect me. I can’t wait to get rid of this sin nature which tries to destroys me. I can’t wait to see my Savior and
 be given the true purpose for my existence, I long for this day and pray I will receive the crown of Righteousness on that day.

   Satan prioritizes and he knows that he has a limited amount of time to attack the /church before the Rapture of the Church takes place. Satan
 hates the fact that the true church will be Raptured and that all people do not go to the grave. Satan is denied the satisfaction of seeing the
death of all believers. This is God’s mercy on the Bride of Christ. Do we deserve to be Raptured? No, it’s by Gods grace and Mercy and the
 Rapture is part of a bigger program of God.

   Satan seeks to destroy us with false doctrine because its his best weapon. The fact is that the penalty for all sin has been paid for by Jesus Christ
 death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. Satan now must trick mankind out of accepting the pardon Jesus Christ provided for us. He
 tricks man into believing they can earn this pardon by doing good works which is a lie. The pardon of Salvation cannot be earned or bought. It must
 be received in faith as a gift.  The false religions of the world all require that man do something in order to be saved. The truth is you must accept
 what Jesus Christ has done for you by faith in Him alone. 

     
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     We must understand that any works we do are the result of our Salvation and not the cause of it. True Salvation will lead to a person
 to do good works for true faith will produce a desire to do good works, but it’s out of love that we do it, not obligation.

    Revelation 3:12 “  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon
 him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God:
 and I will write upon him my new name."

Jesus is going to write His name on us, claiming us as His possession, and he writes the name of the city of God, the New Jerusalem on us

 so we will have access to the great city of God. We are being given our Heavenly citizenship of the New Jerusalem. We each will be given
 a special name for Christ that is personal between each of us and Him, a special love name only for you. Satan and the Antichrist want to
 number you. They want to do what Adolf Hitler couldn’t finish, when he number the Jews during the Holocaust. Satan wants you to take
 “the Mark of the Antichrist, the number 666, because all who receive the mark will be thrown into the lake of Fire. Satan wants to number
 you, Jesus wants to name you.

   Revelation 3:13 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

   This is how the Lord Jesus ended each of the seven letters. We were meant to study and understand what he said to the seven
 Churches because there are hidden meaning in these letters which the Holy Spirit will teach us if we open our hearts and minds and listen
 with a teachable Spirit. This is the True Church that will be Raptured. 

                                     What does Jesus Christ have to say to the Apostate Church?

   Revelation 3:14 “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true
 witness, the beginning of the creation of God;”

    Jesus Christ is testifiying that He himself is a trustworthy witness to the creation of God. Do you believe in evolution? To believe evolution,
 you must deny the true witness of Jesus Christ who knows exactly how the creation happened, He spoke everything into existence. How
 many churches believe in evolution? Do you know that God himself declared He made the earth in 6 days and wrote it on the tablets called
 the 10 commandments. Exodus 20:11 “ For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh
 day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”  What do you believe? It matters what we believe. This Church gets
rejected and is left behind when the Rapture of the true Church takes place.

    Anyone who has a problem believing Creation should research Dr. Walt Brown and get his book on the hydroplate theory titled In
 The Beginning: Compelling Evidence for Creation and the Flood. He has even posted this awesome resource online for free because the
 information is to important not to make it accessable. We should all have this book for use when we witness to unbelievers hung up on
 Darwin, a great tool. Back to the subject, we need to trust the Bible and to trust the Word of God who bears witness to us.

   Revelation 3:15 “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.”

   “I know thy works” This group depended on their works to save them but instead it has made Christ sick and He vomits them into the Great
 Tribulation. Drinking lukewarm water will make you sick to your stomach. Jesus Christ cannot “digest” this group into the true body of Christ so
 at the end of this age the apostate church will be vomited out of the body of Christ.  This group thought they were believers and played
 church and prayed many prayers but false doctrine destroyed them.

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       They didn’t love the Word of God but rather loved religion. So many people will find themselves left behind when Christ comes
 to take the His bride, the true church to Heaven and ends the Age of Grace. This group of the Laodicea church was known for compromise.
 Jesus would rather us be cold rather than lukewarm. He wants us to be hot, passionate for the truth of the Word of God to go out to reach
 the unbelievers and to show them the truth of His Word. We are to be defenders of the faith, evangelists, on fire for the purpose of Jesus Christ.
 This group has acquired great wealth and yet does not have a love for the truth of the Word of God. Here is where we see the great denominations
 that have fleeced their flocks and built their great cathedrals to Mary. They will be spit out of the body of Christ when the Rapture occurs.

    Revelation 3:17 “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art
 wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”

   This apostate church sees itself as successful; it looks around at the grandeur of their buildings and say to themselves, “Surely we must
 be blessed for look at the great wealth we have amassed. We have built wonderful churches to honor you.  In the eyes of Christ they are
 wretched and miserable, utterly despised. They are spiritually bankrupt, and they are blind to their condition, they are blind to the truth for
 they exchanged the truth for false doctrine, which has blinded them from seeing the truth. They are naked, meaning shamefully exposed.

     This religious apostate Church has deceived itself, this group has wealth and power but is lost and doesn’t even know it. The priesthood
 of the Catholics should be able to see themselves in these verses but of course, they can’t which is why Christ said they are blind. They could
 turn to the Word of God and repent of their errors but pride hasn’t allowed that to happen yet. Martin Luther was hoping the Catholic Church
 would embrace His discoveries of their mistakes but they called Him a heritic, just like they do anyone who challenges their authority. They won’t
 surrender their authority to Scripture alone. They believe popes and councils are equal to Scripture. Blind guides. The true priesthood is the
 priesthood of all Christians, true Christians have direct access to God without a priest, for we have a high priest in Jesus Christ to be our mediator.

   Revelation3:18 “ I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed,
 and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”

 Jeus makes a plea to these wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked people. He counsels them to find the truth. The gold tested in fire is
 His Blood which was shed for us. Jesus was tested and passed the test, qualifying Him to be our Savior. When we understand that what we believe
 about Jesus determines our relationship to Him. Satan has tricked this group from ever having a saving relationship to Jesus. They obviously believe
 something about Jesus because they believe they are following Him but their doctrine disqualifies them.

   Lots of cults believe in a character called Jesus but it’s a mythological character. If we deny Jesus was virgin born we have a different Jesus.
 Some believe Jesus was a prophet but not God, different Jesus. When the Rapture of the true Church takes place this group, who have
 depended on their works instead of Grace will be left behind. Satan will have deceived them. Christ is calling out this group now to repent, to
 change their ways that they may be clothed so their nakedness be covered. “and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”
 This is speaking of the anointing of the Holy Spirit which will open their eyes to the truth.

   The Apostate Church does not have the Holy Spirit.This is the problem. They are blind to the truth because they have never received the
 Holy Spirit which will show them the truth. Do I believe the Pope has the Holy Spirit? No I do not. He has never surrendered to the authority
 of Scripture alone, justification by faith alone, or the priesthood of all believers. When he missed all three of these fundamental truths I conclude
 that he does not possess the Holy Spirit which indwells me and makes these things so apparent. The Pope loves his position and I tremble to
 think of the fate of all the men who have daredwear that crown, allowed people to kiss that ring, and to bow before them. Angels wouldn’t
 permit men to bow so why does the Pope?

     The Roman Catholic Church has become the church of Laodicea along with all the Apostate churches. The Pope will be here the day after the
 Rapture, they don’t believe these doctrines of truth.

   Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. :20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any
man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

   Jesus Christ is rebuking and calling the Apostate church to repent. Jesus is knocking on the door of the Apostate church. Saint Peters Basilica
 was built with money extorted by the Pope who sold indulgences to men that would supposedly pardon them from purgatory which is not taught
 in the Word of God. A false pardon for a false doctrine. These people were told that if they bought an indulgence for the building of Saint Peters
 they would share in every mass from that day to the end of the age. I don’t believe Jesus has ever been inside Saint Peters. I believe he stands
 outside and bangs on their door. They are to in love with the pope and their city of gold to pay attention to the Word of God and the truth.
 Christ is calling out to the world, behold, I stand at your door and knock. We must open our door meaning invite Christ into our lives and our
 hearts and ask for the Holy Spirit to be given to us so we may have a teacher, a guide, who can show us the truth. Man cannot know the deepest
 depths of the truth without the Holy Spirit.

   Revelation 3:21 “To him Revelation that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my
 Father in his throne.”

  Jesus wants this group of people who are in Apostate Churches, and are holding on to Apostate doctrines to repent and those who do will be
 Raptured when the true Church represented by Philadelphia is taken at the end of the Church age. The truth will set people free. There are so
 many people who believe they are true Christians but they have never received the Holy Spirit and deceive themselves.
   
   Revelation 3:22 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

    All seven letters to the Churches end with this saying. The Holy Spirit is calling out to those with ears to hear. This is Jesus Christ’s last words to
 His Churches. The next event in the Book of Revelation is the Rapture of the Church, and then begins the Day of the Lord.  The Rapture of the
 Church does two things. It ends the Age of Grace and begins the Day of the Lord. Jesus Christ will call His true Church out of the world to meet
 Him in the clouds.

   1Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:
 and the dead in Christ shall rise first: :17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord
 in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

     Holy Spirit indwelt Christians will be Raptured and the wrath of God will come upon a Christ rejecting world.

Amen Paul2!

Brother, thanks for sharing with us on one of my favorite topics. The Rapture is something I look forward to, and I think that it is soon. I think about this portion of Scripture:


May God give us the strength, courage, determination, and guidance to do His Will until the last moment.

Love In Christ,
Tom

           
                     The Bible teaches us that we are to be WATCHING for the Return of Jesus Christ.       
                             
                Will the Lord Jesus Christ leave behind those who are not watching when he calls His church?

              Matthew 24:42-43 "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the
                                              goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not
                                              have suffered his house to be broken up."

                 Matthew 25:13 "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

                 Mark 13:33 "Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is."  
  
                 Mark 13:35 "Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight,
                                   or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:"

                 Mark 13:37 "And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."

                 Luke 21:36 "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall
                                   come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

                 1 Thessalonians 5:6 "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

                 1 Peter 4:7 "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."

                  Revelation 3:3 "Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch,
                  I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee."

     We as followers of Jesus Christ should know His plans, after all, He gave us the Holy Bible, which contains His whole program. We have the ability
 to study the Word of God and to know the truth which is hidden in His Word. The Holy Spirit is needed to fully understand the Bible. The Bible
 has codes built into it that the Holy Spirit reveals to those who seek to know the truth. The Bible was meant to be studied, not just read.

   

      The Rapture of the Church Ends the Age of Grace and I believe Jesus Christ will Rapture All the Children out of the World As A Final Act Of Grace

       I believe this because the Rapture of the Church ends the Age of Grace and begins the Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb, the Great Tribulation Period which is
also known as the 70th week of Daniel. I believe All Children under the age of accountability will be taken out of the world at the end of the age of Grace which concludes with
the Rapture of the Church. I'm preparing to write a book and I field test things for debate because I want to be right. The Truth means everything to me so this is something
I'd like to have a friendly debate to discover the Truth.

             I know that there are some verses of Scripture that must be considered so lets consider them.

Matthew 24:19 "And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
   20: But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
   21: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Mark 13:17: But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
   18: And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
   19: 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.

Luke 21:23: But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

Matthew 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Luke 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Matthew 18:3  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 10:14  But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Luke 20:36  Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.



    When the evidence is weighed what do we find? I know that it meantions infants at the middle of Daniel's 70th week but that would be three and a half years after the Rapture of the Church. If all the Children of the earth were taken and their parents remained I think people who try to start again, to repopulate the world. The AntiChrist will have a great lie to explain to the stunned world where all the Christians went and wherte the Children went. The Pope will still be in Rome along with the false priesthood in the Vatican who will say, "It couldn't have been the Rapture of the Church, because We are still here!

      I think the Antichrist will lie to the world and say something like this: "The intolerant Christians have been removed from the earth because we cannot be reasoned with. We will not believe our eyes and place all our trust in a Book which the Antichrist will say is wrong. I think he will tell the world that they are the smart ones who can be reasoned with and that the children have been temporarily removed from the earth because of the trials which must take place and are being caused by the rebellion of the new believers in Jesus Christ who, when they missed the Rapture found their faith. I believe Antichrist will try to use the earths children as a bargaining chip to get the world to comply. I imagine him saying "When the world accepts me I will bring your children back." This is just a hypothesis, but the Children being Raptured is the theory I would like to discuss.

I know children will be Raptured but what is the age of accountability? I know I'll be ruffling feathers but I think children as young as 10 can find themselves separated from God.

I think that the age of accountability is different for each child, and I must mention that some never reach an age of accountability (i.e. downs, retardation). A general rule of thumb I think would be somewhere between 10 and 12 for most normal children.

Hello Paul2,

I hope the following helps some and is worthy for your consideration on the age of accountability question:

The age of accountability is a difficult and time consuming topic to study. Some Bible scholars think this age might be higher than most of us tend to think. A distinction should also be made between physical death and the second death. There is disagreement and uncertainty about the actual age of accountability, but I think it is a clear teaching of the Holy Bible. Who does God hold accountable? As examples, see the following Scriptures in context:

Deuteronomy 1:39 KJV  Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.

Numbers 14:29 KJV  Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,

Numbers 26:62-65 KJV  And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.  63  These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.  64  But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.  65  For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

Matthew 18:14 KJV  Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Matthew 19:13-15 KJV  Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.  14  But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.  15  And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

_____________________

It has always been my thought that the unborn, infants, and children belong to God. These thoughts I think have a foundation in Scripture:

Psalms 22:9-10 KJV  But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.  10  I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.

Psalms 71:5-6 KJV  For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.  6  By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.

Psalms 127:3-5 KJV  Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.  4  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  5  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Psalms 139:13-18 KJV  For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.  14  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  15  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  16  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.  17  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!  18  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

Matthew 10:29-31 KJV  Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.  30  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  31  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:1-7 KJV  In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.  2  For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.  3  Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.  4  And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.  5  But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.  6  Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?  7  But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Love In Christ,
Tom

I tend to believe as you do Tom.  However there is also Scriptural evidence to suggest that even children are not spared.  There were no children spared before the flood.

Gen 6:5  Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (NASB)
the man referred to here is mankind.  We know this because we see that Noah was the only one who found favor in the entire race.  Not a child, but a man and his wife were selected from all of mankind.

Also there was no age restrictions on the first born to be taken of Egypt.

We also see no children spared in Sodom or Gomorrah.

In Deut 20 we see the Hittites, Amorites, Canannites, and the Perrizites that the Israelites were to run across were to have nothing that breathes left behind.  We know this includes children because in previous verses it talks about other places the children are to be spared.

And when Paul states that 'all have sinned' we do not see an exception clause to that. 

Again I agree that the age of reason fits into a loving God, a just God, and there is some Biblical evidence to suggest it.  However it is not clearly spelled out in the Bible, and there is also Biblical evidence to suggest that there is no age of reason. 

It is also important to note a couple of things.  Age of reason or not, should not change your spiritual stance with God.  If you accept an age of reason, be ready to support it Biblicly as Tom has pointed out many great verses to support it.  If you do not support it then again be ready to Biblicly show that all are sinners and not excluded from a sin nature, and that God is just in all His actions and we should not hold our standards of right and wrong to God, but instead should abandon our ideas of right and wrong and adopt God's.

    Do you believe it can be taught as a "fact", that all the "little ones", those definately under the age of accountability, will be taken at the Rapture? I believe this but I want to be 100% positive so I can boldly teach the little children will be leaving as a doctrine. I believe it will be the final act of Grace to take all the children but I've heard others who argue that the children of those who hate Christ are part of the curse that falls on the God haters to the third and fouth generation.

 Exodus 20:5  "Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;"

     I don't believe the above verse would somehow prove the children of unbelievers are hated, it means to me that the consequences for hating God will last for last for generations which is true. All our children are victims of the parents decision making.

   I'm writing a book and I am field testing anything I have any question about, for I want to be right and teach the truth. I believe all the children are going to be taken unless someone can show me why not to believe it.

   We should remember something about Noah's flood, God was purifying the bloodline of humanity that had been tainted by the breeding of angelic beings with Human women.
At Noah's flood if children died they were safe from Satan and God can resurrect them. At the Rapture of the Church, Satan gets to test and destroy those left behind. Does a 5 year old child deserve to be forced to take the mark of the beast or be martyred?

   The Rapture of the Church is the end of the age of Grace and the beginning of the Day of the Lord. Does a 5 year old child anywhere in the world deserve the wrath of God? I believe that in a final act of Grace, all the young ones, by grace and mercy alone will be taken before the wrath of God comes on a Christ rejecting world.

We are told in Num 8:17 in regards to speaking of the firstborn of Israel as being His that when God took the first born of Egypt that He sanctified them for Himself.

Hello Paul and Jerry,

I just got my coffee. There are differences of opinion on this question, and I don't think that the Bible nails it down. We must also consider a difference between physical death and the second death. Many children were killed in the wars of the Bible. One school of thought is that they belonged to God and He will take them. Another school of thought is that their parents were evil so they were evil, regardless of age. Personally, I don't think it is the nature of God to send a baby to hell for what his or her parents did. I think the real question involves the second death, not physical death. I did some reading last night and think that some of the same Scriptures against abortion apply to this topic, so I'm back to the thought that the children belong to God. The age of accountability argument makes sense to me for a just and merciful God. I'm still looking, but I don't think this can be proven with the Bible one way or another. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah would be a good example to study. Yes, all the children were killed, but are they going to hell? I don't think so. There may be other portions of Scripture to study that pertain to the nature of God. We can all jump back in with whatever we find. Keep in mind that the accountability question applies all the way back to the womb. So, would an aborted baby belonging to a prostitute be sent to hell because of the sins of the mother? I don't think so.

Love In Christ,
Tom

This is a good Scripture to study and I'm sure there are others like it. I've been trying to think about good search criteria to use. I did do a search on "age of accountability' through all of my commentaries. I got a number of matches, and all agreed that there is an age of accountability. I got some of the same Scripture references I've already posted. I do plan to look some more.

I agree completely.  I have heard both sides and both have points.  I have mentioned that I believe in an age of reason.  But I also know that even if I am wrong on that....my Savior has already paid my cover charge, and God will correct me when I stand before Him.  It has not changed my drive to ensure that children are saved as early as they can fully understand that.  It is a true dichotomy for me, because if there is a mental age of reason, then I do not want them to grow up to quickly and they should enjoy that innocence.  But I also try and teach as young as I can and in many aspects push them to grow up so that they can then fall under the Grace of Jesus.

Amen! Bringing our children up in the ways of the Lord is one of the greatest acts of love we can give our children. I subscribe to the practice of reading Bible stories to them before they can even talk. Besides, it's a special time of closeness whether they understand a word you say or not. I think it would surprise many to find out what they do understand and how young.

Personally I believe the Bible tells us that children belong to him under the age of accountability, which is different in each child. The only way to help is to raise our children with the ways of our Lord.

Deuteronomy 1:39 Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.
Matthew 18:10-14 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Resting in His arms
Bob

Brother Bob,

I believe the same way you do about an age of accountability.