God's "Good and Evil" Formula

God's "Good and Evil" Formula
 

It's a rather simple formula, really. It's a four-part formula that is answered with whether you should "do" or "don't do". It goes like this:

Repay evil with evil - Don't do

Repay good with evil - Don't do

Repay evil with good - Do

Repay good with good - Do

Okay, I said this is God's formula, so that means I need to back it up with Bible verses. Let's look where I got this idea...

"See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men." (1 Thess. 5:15) Okay, this verse verifies the first of the 4-part formula; shall we see more?

"Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD." (Lev. 19:18) Do we see here that we should repay evil with good? Now I'm not saying give your neighbor your daughter after finding out he raped your wife, but there's a legal system for handling that. But if they do you a personal wrong, say, stealing some fruits from your fruit tree, or telling lies about you to someone, we are not to act in vengeance, but pray for them, maybe talk to them about it, let them know you are aware they took fruit from your tree, and maybe ask them if they're in need so bad that maybe you can spare some more to them, or make a peaceful arrangement concerning whatever issue, but I feel one will find God wants us to demonstrate understanding and try to overcome the evil a neighbor may do with the goodness of understanding and patience, and approach them with the idea of making peace over a matter where they have committed an offense toward you.

"Say not thou, 'I will recompense evil'; but wait on the LORD, and He shall save thee." (Prov. 20:22) Here we see more of not repaying evil with evil.

"But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.' But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:" (Matt. 5:39 - 45) Here we find another equation in the formula; repay evil with good. Jesus wants us to do that. 1 Cor. 6:7 - 8 also says not to sue, but rather take a loss. Why is that? Because greed and covetousness win before anyone gets in front of the judge, that's why. Christians are expected to take a loss...

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Gal. 6:9 - 10) This looks like the last two parts of the equation, doesn't it? We should always do good, whether we have had good or evil done to us. We should eventually win over an evil heart with good; sound advice!

I have more concerning rendering good for receiving evil, and this one is from Peter! "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?" (1 Pet. 3:8 - 13) Here is Peter saying not to render evil for evil, as I gave for God's first part of the formula. Peter goes into discussing why in that he says we will inherit a blessing, see good days, be insulated from harm,and the Lord will hear our prayers! Peter says one more thing about following this part of the formula; "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing." (1 Pet. 3:17)

I would like to bring out one more piece of scripture about this formula before closing the study; "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay', saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom. 12:17 - 21) Here again is Paul with the first part of the formula that I mentioned. He mentions also the sin of taking vengeance, in that we steal from God the right of delivering righteous wrath upon the guilty. I mean, really, what are we doing, except inciting the situation to more wrathful exchanges between those who initiated the evil? And did you note it is written that repaying evil with good is like heaping coals of fire on their head? This means to say they will feel shame and guilt as like unto burning fire, which may lead to their repentance of their offending.

So here we have the formula of God concerning interaction regarding good and evil. The first half of the formula we don't do, and we have scripture explaining why. Likewise, we have the last half of the formula that we do want to do, and with Bible verses we also understand why. Let us go forth enthusiastically using the formula to interact with all we meet!

5 Suicides Before Jesus Went To The Cross

5 Suicides Before Jesus Went To The Cross
 

Only five people who believed in God are written of in the Bible that they committed suicide. The first asked God to let him take his enemies with him, which was granted. The second had a history of rebellion against God, and during a route of his army, out of fear of how he would be treated when captured, and his armorbearer followed his example. The fourth killed his king to become king, and the last was with Jesus, and betrayed Him just as he was predestined, and thereafter went to hang himself. Let's look further into the final folly many have chosen as an option to life's bothers...
Samson was the first believer in the one true God, and he committed suicide as a final act against the enemies of God's chosen people. "And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, 'Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us.' And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, 'Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars. And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, 'Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.' Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport. And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, 'O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray Thee, and strengthen me, I pray Thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.' And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. And Samson said, 'Let me die with the Philistines.' And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life. Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years." (Judg. 16:24 - 31)   Samson had killed 1,030 Philistines prior to his capture, but when he committed suicide in their house of Dagon, he did it in a manner that allowed a greater number than this to be killed by demolishing the entire great house. And he was blind when he did it!   One might note also that Samson did not commit suicide out of spiritual despair; his last words denoted his choice of suicide would be one that simultaneously took out over 1,000 of God's enemies with him!

The second suicide of a believer in the Bible is the story of a good man gone bad.   Saul, Israel's first king, started out reknowned as a very goodly man, tall, of the smallest tribe of Israel, a Benjamite. Among his first instructions was to not act independent of Samuel, as he was used as God's mouthpiece; but he disobeyed - "And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. And Saul said, 'Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings.' And he offered the burnt offering. And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. And Samuel said, 'What hast thou done?' And Saul said, 'Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; Therefore said I, "The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD": I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.' And Samuel said to Saul, 'Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which He commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought Him a man after His own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over His people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.'" (1 Sam. 13:8 - 14)   Furthermore, Saul justified his sinful offering rather than confessing it.   For this reason, Saul was disqualified/rejected by God.   From that time, he spoke foolish oaths, did a partial obedience to instruction, which in another view was rebellion, setting his will above God's.   It was then that God evaluated Saul's heart; "It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following Me, and hath not performed My commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night." (1 Sam. 15:11).   And He found him at odds against Him.   Samuel pointed out to Saul his act of rebellion was equated as rejection of the Lord in his heart, "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, He hath also rejected thee from being king." (1 Sam. 15:23)   Saul went downhill from there.   God replaced His Spirit with an evil one - "But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him." (1 Sam. 16:14)   His replacement was set in front of him, and as a thorn in his ego - "And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul...And the women answered one another as they played, and said, 'Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.' And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, 'They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?'...And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him. And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually." (1 Sam. 18:1, 7 - 8, 28 - 29)   His children protected his replacement, as did Samuel, Ahimelech, and Schish.   Saul continued his rebellion, slaying the priests of the Lord - "And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, 'Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me.' But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD. And the king said to Doeg, 'Turn thou, and fall upon the priests.' And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod." (1 Sam. 22:17 - 18)   After that, Saul is embarassed by his adversary by being spared twice.   Again in rebellion of God's leadership and rejection of His commands, he consults a necromancer; "Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa. And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Then said Saul unto his servants, 'Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her.' And his servants said to him, 'Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.' And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, 'I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.' And the woman said unto him, 'Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?' And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, 'As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.' Then said the woman, 'Whom shall I bring up unto thee?' And he said, 'Bring me up Samuel.' And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, 'Why hast thou deceived me? For thou art Saul.' And the king said unto her, 'Be not afraid: for what sawest thou?' And the woman said unto Saul, 'I saw gods ascending out of the earth.' And he said unto her, 'What form is he of?' And she said, 'An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle.' And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.  And Samuel said to Saul, 'Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up?' And Saul answered, 'I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.' Then said Samuel, 'Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David: Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day. Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.' Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night. And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, 'Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me. Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way.' But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed. And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof: And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night." (1 Sam. 28:3 - 25)   This simultaneously demonstrated hypocrisy, and his repayment for this was the announcement of his defeat by the Philistines from the mouth of the spirit of Samuel!   Saul feared to the point of no appetite, and as foretold, his battle with the Philistines went clearly in defeat.   His despair was total: spiritually, God removed from him. Strategically, his battle was hopeless. "Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, 'Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me.' But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him." (1 Sam. 31:4 - 5)   He and his armorbearer were the next two believers to commit suicide.

Zimri was the next to commit suicide, and by fire - "In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years. And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of his house in Tirzah. And Zimri went in and smote him, and killed him, in the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his stead. And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he slew all the house of Baasha: he left him not one that pisseth against a wall, neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends. Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake against Baasha by Jehu the prophet, For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities. Now the rest of the acts of Elah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah. And the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines. And the people that were encamped heard say, 'Zimri hath conspired, and hath also slain the king': wherefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the host, king over Israel that day in the camp. And Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah. And it came to pass, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the palace of the king's house, and burnt the king's house over him with fire, and died, for his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the LORD, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make Israel to sin." (1 Kings 16:8 - 19)   The Bible says he was king a mere week long over Israel from Tirzah.   He killed his king, Elah, while he was drunk, and his first act after taking the throne was to murder the entire house of Baasha, a dynasty of Israel.   As Omri besieged Tirzah, Zimri saw his position as without hope, and he committed suicide by burning the king's house down upon his own head! An unusual choice of method of suicide.

The last to commit suicide was Judas.   He was predestined to betray his Judge.   "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled." (John 17:12) "And He answered and said, 'He that dippeth his hand with Me in the dish, the same shall betray Me.' The Son of man goeth as it is written of Him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born.'" (Matt. 26:23 - 24) "And while He yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed Him gave them a sign, saying, 'Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He: hold Him fast.' And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, 'Hail, master'; and kissed Him." (Matt. 26:47 - 49)   Judas apparently had a strategy that he could force Jesus' hand, perhaps perform a miracle of Roman overthrow.   "Then Judas, which had betrayed Him, when he saw that He was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, 'I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.' And they said, 'What is that to us? See thou to that.' And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself." (Matt. 27:3 - 5) Upon the revelation Jesus performed no miracle relieving Himself of condemnation, Judas went to commit suicide - "Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out." (Acts 1:18)   Well, apparently he was even a failure at THAT!   At least he attempted to commit suicide.   From this text, we can read Jesus' words and take it that Judas was literally born to go to hell!

PREDESTINED OR CHOICE?
 

It's a pretty good question, and many people have already set their minds one way or the other, but I thought it would be good to look at some Bible verses on the issue.
"'For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,' saith the LORD, 'thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.'" (Jer. 29:11) Here the Lord is saying through Jeremiah that His people will have an expected end. It means God already foreknows His people's disposition in Jeremiah's day. Doesn't this also mean they were predestined to have the end expected by God? After all, He knows everything, and He is also in control.

"The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of Him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! Good were it for that man if he had never been born." (Mark 14:21) In this verse, Jesus is speaking of Judas. But as we examine this scripture carefully, Jesus says that He goes as it is written of Him; so Jesus is asserting He was predestined to die on the cross by the betrayal to they who sought to destroy Him. But also in this verse He gives light to the predestiny of Judas, saying it would've been better that he had not been born!   Psa. 22 and Isa. 53 vividly describe in panoramic view and through Jesus' experience what all He went through, but the books of Psalms and Isaiah were written in the Old Testament, before Jesus was born.   Predestiny for Jesus, right?

"For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Rom. 8:29)   Here Paul uses the word "predestinate" in referring to all of us whom have been chosen to conform to Christ.   So here it is written that it is predestined who would be saved. God already knew, and knows even now, who will be born again!

"And the LORD said unto her, 'Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.'   And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.   And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them." (Gen. 25:23 - 26) Here's an example of multigenerational predestination. God tells Rebekah she has two nations inside her.   How many people does it take to make one nation, let alone two?   Even if Rebekah's sons have 12 sons each, a dozen people do not qualify as a nation, do they?

"'For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.'   Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, 'A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name: But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.'" (Judg. 13:5 - 7)   Before he was born, an angel told Samson's mother that he would be a Nazarite from birth to death, and that he would begin to deliver Israel out of the hands of the Philistines. Well, since he killed well over 2,000 Philistines in his lifetime, I'd say that was a good start to erasing the Philistine population! "And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, 'Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware. She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe.'" (Judg. 13:13 - 14)

"Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time that thine ear was not opened: for I knew that thou wouldest deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb." (Isa. 48:8) Isaiah here says Judah was foreknown and predestined to be a treacherous generation in Isaiah's time. Isaiah not only asserts this specific predestination, but..."And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be His servant, to bring Jacob again to Him, 'Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength." (Isa. 49:5)   He also says he was predestined to be God's servant!

"All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake He not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 'I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.'" (Matt. 13:34 - 35)   Jesus spoke in parables as was written of Him, but would one argue this also is not a case of predestination, or could it be said Jesus chose to fulfill that which was written of him by David? "I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:" (Psa. 78:2)

"And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, 'Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:'" (Matt. 25:33 - 34)  In this scripture passage Jesus says to His predestined sheep that they were so long known that they would be born again believers, they were foreknown since the foundation of the world! This means that God knew I would be born again and heir to the kingdom since Gen. 1:1!

"For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb." (Luke 1:15)   Here the Bible predestines John the Baptist to be a tea totaller whose life work will make him great in the eyes of the Lord, and he will be full of the Holy Ghost from the moment of birth. He didn't choose the Holy Ghost, John was predestined to be full of Him from day 1!

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God." (1 Pet. 1:18 - 21)   Peter is one more man of God saying here that we who believe were predestined since Gen. 1:1 to be ransomed from our sins by Christ's blood.   Can it be said we are predestined to freely choose to believe in Jesus? Clearly our mansion lot was founded at the beginning of creation.

"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world... The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is." (Rev. 13: 8, 17:8) - I conclude here that all who are going to hell and the lake of fire were born to do so, even predestined since the earth was formed. Not only Judas, but all hell-bound souls were born with that fate. When the beast comes into power, the unsaved are predestined to worship him, even if they are not yet conceived! Isn't there a cliche`, "Born to be bad"?

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved. In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory." (Eph. 1:3 - 14) - This scripture passage I saved to present last, as it seems to me the best verses defining predestiny vs. choice. God clearly chose souls that He would predestine to be adopted into the family of Christ. God had the free choice, we got the predestiny; do you see that, too?

So what is predestined, and is there a choice? Apparently, God foreknows the summation of all our behavior throughout our lifetime, and predestinates our final disposition, heaven or hell, and he has made the choice since the world was formed. He knows if we will chose to be unrelentingly treacherous, wicked, and evil, deservedly being launched into hell, or if we will chose to repent in our lifetime, be born again, and have a mansion in heaven waiting for us in the afterlife. God knows if we will be a lifelong Nazarite or drunk; all our behavior He foreknows. With all this, you have to ask yourself once again. "Am I a free choice believer, or predestiny?"

Model Mother, Trophy Wife

MODEL MOTHER, TROPHY WIFE
 

Some females are terrible mothers! Queen ants and termites constantly lay eggs, but have nothing to do with their care afterward. As a matter of fact, when their eggs hatch, their young end up TAKING CARE OF THEM! Ostrich moms also lay eggs, and do nothing for their young afterwards, either! But at least these creatures don't do what many human mothers do - ABORT their babies, and call it a right and a choice as though no sin were involved!

Many Christians know that one place to find the description of a model mother is in the book of Proverbs - "Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." (Prov. 31:10 - 31) But can we find other places in the Bible describing a mother everyone wants? And let us remember a model mother is also a "trophy wife" for the husband, and we should look at why these aspects go hand-in-hand.

"A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones." (Prov. 12:4). While a virtuous woman makes her husband pleased, so are her children, and for the sme reason - This aspect of her reputation will preceed her. A shameful woman is just the opposite. Who of her family will even smile at her mention?

"House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD." (Prov. 19:14) Good parents indeed will their possessions to their children, but nowadays, not all parents have much to bestow on their heirs; enter the prudent wife! Well, maybe we should define "prudent". "Exercising sound judgment in practical matters"; cautious in conduct"; "managing carefully". So a prudent mother and wife is one who acts in wisdom, including having long range planning to will some things of value to their children. After all, what will they be buried with, if their children are not willed enough money to cover funeral costs? A prudent mother and wife thinks on this and more!

"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;" (Rom. 12:11). A good mother and wife is tenacious in conducting whatever family business need be attended to. A good mother persistently applies good sense and values to all her daily business issues, whether spanking her child for bad behavior, or breaking relations with someone she detects will make serious problems for her and her family. A good wife and mother prioritizes what needs to be done on a daily basis to keep the house running smoothly.

"I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father." (2 John 1:4) "Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, 'Gather Me the people together, and I will make them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.'" (Deut. 4:10) A good mother teaches the Bible to her children, and works to instill godly virtues in them, and fear of the Lord. If the land you live in has high crime, and corruption and perversion is rampant in your government, the mothers of them who love their crimes, corruption, and perversion likely failed to heed these Bible verses.

"Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement." (1 Pet. 3:1-6). It happens as often as God permits, that women may become born again/saved before their husbands. While this becomes a case of unequal yoking, yet the woman is to stick out their marriage and continue living as godly as possible. While she is to be in subjection to her husband, yet she must be in subjection to God FIRST! In all her husband demands of her, so long as it is in God's guidelines, these things she must submit to doing. But if he, for example, demands she be a harlot to bring money into the house, she is in no way required to obey, because God's command trumps the command of her husband! "Thou shalt not commit adultery." (Exod. 20:14). Her persistent godly behavior should be as a light to win him to Christ, while simultaneously being an example to her children. To daughters, how to remain godly with an ungodly husband; to sons, what to look for in a godly wife.

"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. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." (1 Cor. 14:34 - 35). No woman can obey this rule written by Paul to the Corinthians and be a pastor. Women may teach children Bible study outside of the worship service, or at home, this is condoned. But if they have questions concerning scripture, or want to discuss scripture, Paul writes they need to speak of it at home, and he even says it is shameful for them to speak during the worship service! A mother and/or wife who demonstrates discipline in church is again a model for her children and the pleasure of her husband.

So herein we have lots of biblical reference of what constitutes a model mother and a wife to treasure. Happy is the mother and wife found to be this way!


 

WHAT ABOUT DEATH?

Many people are concerned about the prospect of their death. How many of us have mourned the deaths of loved ones throughout the years? Wouldn't it be nice to see what the Bible has to say concerning death?

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints." (Psa. 116:15) As a believer who does the will of the Father, when we die, the Father considers it an expense of sorts to Him. Why? Because as His children, we are doing His will up to that point! We are witnessing, praying, giving thanksgiving, serving others (and in effect, serving Him!), and being His tool in leading people to the Lord, if He is willing to use us! If someone has been doing some things for you, and they die, you lose their services, and their company, don't you?  You are no longer of service to Him on earth when you die!

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." (Psa. 23:4) When we pass from this life to the next, and we go through that "valley of death", like David, we can have faith that He is on the other side of this plane of existence, waiting to guide us to our mansion, just as He has our other family members who died with faith in Christ Jesus to save them from their sins.

We know from scripture that whether a person believes in God or not, they will be judged by Him. Woe to those who have lived a life unbelieving to the death, and salvation to those who have believed on Him to eternal life! None of us are free, we are all owned by God, and we will be forced to give account, like it or not! "For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, 'As I live', saith the Lord, 'every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.' So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." (Rom. 14:7 - 12) While we are not to judge one another over debateable areas of scripture, we can differ in good conscience. After all, did not Paul reason with many from the scriptures? "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures," (Acts 17:2) And here is not the only place that says our Lord will judge us, believer and not..."And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" (Heb. 9:27) Whether to hell or heaven, after death is the judgment. No return, no place in between. We have our lifespan, and then is the judgment where God determines we will go. For us who will go with belief in Jesus, let us look forward to going! Heaven is not a bad place, so we're told, and the Bible has no lie in it!

Now I know a lot of people who have asked me questions about the body. One asked me about cremation, and is the Bible against it. I gave her the following: "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now He that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences." (2 Cor. 5:1 - 11) Okay, that was a lot of meat, but basically, we are reminded about being judged again in this passage, but also we are given a chunk of information about what you might call a body swap! We are going to get rid of this corrupting body, with all its aches and pains and sags and bags and glasses and hearing aids and prostheses and surgeries, and we will get a glorious body from God, one that is incorruptible! Understand here too that Paul is saying we should look forward to being present with the Lord, because as soon as this body loses our spirit, our spirit will be present with the Lord, and the final disposition of our human body that we lived in will be a mute point. You can feed mine to the fishes if you want to, my soul will be in the presence of the Holy One, and He will give me a body that will not break down again!

Paul wrote to the Philippians about being perplexed between being dead and being alive. His life found all its meaning in Christ; he woke up every morning with what to do to further the cause of Jesus, and each going to sleep was an end to his day, having done for Christ whatever opportunity was given him. The choice of his perplexion was this: whether to continue living bringing people to Christ and serving the Lord, or to die and be in His presence, which is understandably far better than earthly life! "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:" (Phil. 1:20 - 23)

"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 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." (2 Tim. 4:6 - 8) This is the last letter Paul wrote, and as is evident in the first verse I have put here, he is ready for his execution. But he is not unhappy, as other men would be, but rather he is looking forward to receiving his crown of righteousness, and he says not only is he to receive this crown, but also those of us anxiously anticipating, even loving the second coming of Christ!

Remember I gave a number of times here that everyone will be judged by God, Jesus Christ, did I not? Well, there's a final disposition for both the saved and unsaved after the judgment process, and the Bible clearly lays it out in this selection: "And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Rev. 20:11 - 15) Now all those who were not born again, who did not accept Christ as their Savior, these experienced the second death. Our Creator had a specific formula for humanity regarding life and death. Born twice = one death; born once = two deaths. So we know the lot for the unsaved, and the saved have their lot also in this book of Revelation: "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.'" (Rev. 21:3 - 4) Absolute absence of negative stimulus in our environment; total joy in the presence of our everlasting God! How awesome!

Now when you know someone who needs consolation because a loved one passed away, I have one more piece of scripture to share with you, that you might share with them in their hour of grieving; "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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: 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words...For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him." (1 Thess. 4:13 - 18, 5:9 - 10)