HISTORY
The Jews of Israel and the Arabs of Saudi Arabia are, by definition, called “Pharisees.” Both follow the tradition of Abraham. Both strictly observe their traditional and written law - the Torah and the Al-Quran. When we read the Bible, we can find the names of some of our well-known prophets from the Old Testament who is in heaven. Strangely enough, I have not found or read in the Bible the names of any of Jesus’ disciples from the New Testament who are seen in heaven, such as Paul, John, Matthew, and so forth sitting next to Jesus in heaven. What’s wrong? I want to do a Google search again and see if I can find any reference to any of Jesus’ disciples who are seen sitting next to Jesus' throne. Why? Well, I will tell you later why it is important for me to know whether we should follow the people who strictly observe the traditional and written law, such as Moses, Noah, Enoch, and Abraham, for example, who have a higher chance of going to heaven than those who do not follow the law like many of today’s Christians who believe in the teachings of the reformist Martin Luther, a Catholic, and the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, also a Catholic. They believe that they are saved by grace, through faith, and not through work. I, however, believe that we are saved by faith, work, and grace. And this is the reason why.
We all know from reading the Bible that it is not easy to get into heaven. "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide [is] the gate and broad [is] the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. "Because narrow [is] the gate and difficult [is] the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14. Why is it difficult? Paul says that we are saved by grace, and not by work. We do not have to do anything to receive salvation. What is so difficult about that? Paul was called when he was traveling to Damascus, remember?
Jesus also said, "For many are called, but few [are] chosen." Matthew 22:14. Going to church every week will not guarantee our salvation. But doing the will of God would. In Matthew 7:21- 23, Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." Many will say to Me on that day, `Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' You know what? Those who cast out demons in His name, and done wonders in His name must have a lot of faith in order to be able to do them, yet Jesus called them lawless practitioners. They do not follow the Law. Consequently, Jesus grants them no salvation. Are we ignoring God's laws?
Jesus said in Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say”?
Jesus answered and said to his listeners, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words, and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.” John 14:23-24. How on earth can we claim that we are of God and that we cannot sin when we are not keeping His words but throwing them in the trash? Does it make any sense at all? No, it doesn’t!
What is so hard about reading the Bible? This is what I believe: I believe that His words stand alone. His words are the Truth! They are not subject to interpretation or rationalization to satisfy one's preference. If there is any doubt or question about the meaning of His words, we must search further for His words in other sections of the Bible that can clarify our doubts. If none is found, then, and only then can we turn to His disciples and prophets for clarification on the intent of His words.
Those of you who have applied and been accepted into prestigious medical colleges know how difficult it is to be accepted in quality medical colleges in the U.S. Many applicants applied, but few were chosen. Those who were chosen had mostly straight-A grades.
Their work performance in school is worthy of praise. They have worked hard and have sacrificed much while in school to meet the admission standard of medical schools.
In Judaism, the admission standard to Heaven is set by the Pharisees and the Scribes or Torah Scholars.
When Jesus was on earth, He sets up the standard of admission to Heaven.
Who sets the standard for admission to Heaven after Jesus went back to heaven? No one. Every believer makes its own standard of admission to Heaven according to what tickles his/her ears, and not according to God’s teachings. And here’s the proof. There are over 45,000 Christian denominations or groups worldwide. With thousands of schools and universities in America, and thousands of preachers on TV and Radio peddling the promises of Jesus no one knows for sure what the will of the Father is anymore. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Do you know why many believers don’t know the will of the Father? Because the will of the Father is found in the Bible, in His Law, and in His commandments. And most, if not all, Context Christians have thrown His commandments in the garbage, or in the toilet. In Matthew 10:8 Jesus said, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” Do you know why He gave us this order? Because He knew that we can do it. Do you want to know why He could heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons?
Because He had to work very hard to receive that gift from heaven. He developed His strong faith by fasting 40 days and 40 nights, “being tempted for forty days by the devil. And during those days He ate nothing, and afterward when they had ended, He was hungry. Luke 4:2.
That was the preliminary hard work that He had to do to develop His strong faith, allow the devil to tempt Him, and WON! How about us, what can we do? What have we done? And what are we going to do? We can develop the greatest faith on earth, memorize `Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'" Is that our "grace" plan of salvation? And when Jesus returns to judge us, He will look straight at us and say, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' Matthew 7:21-23. Jesus would give no grace to anyone who practices lawlessness. And we don’t know for sure who among His disciples, or who among us who practice lawlessness or do not follow His Law will be admitted to heaven. We just don't know.
We all know from reading the Bible that it is not easy to get into heaven. "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide [is] the gate and broad [is] the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. "Because narrow [is] the gate and difficult [is] the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14. Why is it difficult? Paul says that we are saved by grace, and not by work. We do not have to do anything to receive salvation. What is so difficult about that? Paul was called when he was traveling to Damascus, remember?
Jesus also said, "For many are called, but few [are] chosen." Matthew 22:14. Going to church every week will not guarantee our salvation. But doing the will of God would. In Matthew 7:21- 23, Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." Many will say to Me on that day, `Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' You know what? Those who cast out demons in His name, and done wonders in His name must have a lot of faith in order to be able to do them, yet Jesus called them lawless practitioners. They do not follow the Law. Consequently, Jesus grants them no salvation. Are we ignoring God's laws?
Jesus said in Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say”?
Jesus answered and said to his listeners, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words, and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.” John 14:23-24. How on earth can we claim that we are of God and that we cannot sin when we are not keeping His words but throwing them in the trash? Does it make any sense at all? No, it doesn’t!
What is so hard about reading the Bible? This is what I believe: I believe that His words stand alone. His words are the Truth! They are not subject to interpretation or rationalization to satisfy one's preference. If there is any doubt or question about the meaning of His words, we must search further for His words in other sections of the Bible that can clarify our doubts. If none is found, then, and only then can we turn to His disciples and prophets for clarification on the intent of His words.
Those of you who have applied and been accepted into prestigious medical colleges know how difficult it is to be accepted in quality medical colleges in the U.S. Many applicants applied, but few were chosen. Those who were chosen had mostly straight-A grades.
Their work performance in school is worthy of praise. They have worked hard and have sacrificed much while in school to meet the admission standard of medical schools.
In Judaism, the admission standard to Heaven is set by the Pharisees and the Scribes or Torah Scholars.
When Jesus was on earth, He sets up the standard of admission to Heaven.
Who sets the standard for admission to Heaven after Jesus went back to heaven? No one. Every believer makes its own standard of admission to Heaven according to what tickles his/her ears, and not according to God’s teachings. And here’s the proof. There are over 45,000 Christian denominations or groups worldwide. With thousands of schools and universities in America, and thousands of preachers on TV and Radio peddling the promises of Jesus no one knows for sure what the will of the Father is anymore. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Do you know why many believers don’t know the will of the Father? Because the will of the Father is found in the Bible, in His Law, and in His commandments. And most, if not all, Context Christians have thrown His commandments in the garbage, or in the toilet. In Matthew 10:8 Jesus said, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” Do you know why He gave us this order? Because He knew that we can do it. Do you want to know why He could heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons?
Because He had to work very hard to receive that gift from heaven. He developed His strong faith by fasting 40 days and 40 nights, “being tempted for forty days by the devil. And during those days He ate nothing, and afterward when they had ended, He was hungry. Luke 4:2.
That was the preliminary hard work that He had to do to develop His strong faith, allow the devil to tempt Him, and WON! How about us, what can we do? What have we done? And what are we going to do? We can develop the greatest faith on earth, memorize `Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'" Is that our "grace" plan of salvation? And when Jesus returns to judge us, He will look straight at us and say, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' Matthew 7:21-23. Jesus would give no grace to anyone who practices lawlessness. And we don’t know for sure who among His disciples, or who among us who practice lawlessness or do not follow His Law will be admitted to heaven. We just don't know.
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