The Point of No Return
Is it here yet?
I wrote this five and a half years ago. In light of yesterday’s events at the Capitol, I thought it might be good to post again. Pray for those who were injured or killed. Pray also for the ones that fired the weapons, we don’t know the whole story. Even video can present only a portion of the context. Pray for the truth to come out sooner than later regarding those who have tried to destroy this nation and come against Israel, and believers. Pray for justice and for evil to be exposed to the light. Even so, come Lord Jesus.
(First I’d like to welcome any first time visitors, no matter how we all might see things differently, may the Lord bless you and yours).
A time of Judgment
There is a time coming, (we believe very soon), where there will be a Day in which we will be judged. Believers will be judged at what is called the Bema Seat (or judgment seat of Christ) for rewards, when we are redeemed by being raptured (or caught up) to Christ in the air (Rom 8:23).
Non believers will be judged by whether or not they believed the Gospel (good news) of Grace. That is — that God SO loved the world, THAT He sent His only begotten Son Jesus (to die on the cross for our sins so that we could be reconciled to Him). That whosoever (that means all, any man, woman or child) that believeth on Him, should NOT perish (eternally), BUT have everlasting life — All this means that because of His work on the cross in our place, HE keeps those who believe forever safe from eternal death. Those who have not believed are under His wrath for rejecting His Son (John 3:36; Mark 8:31; John 12:48) and will also be judged according to their evil deeds.
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. John 12:48
The world seems to be falling apart, so many seem oblivious to it or just believe a lie. Others seem to delight in hastening it. Some, dealing with sickness or pain haven’t realized it — some are putting their faith in fallible men, and yet others in their possessions and security. But we are not promised tomorrow. I know, I lost my husband too fast. My friend Harry died and I didn’t even know until after. My friend Nancy was on her deathbed when I was called and I didn’t know she was even sick. My son got in a terrible accident and is now like a young child, unable to stand, walk, or initiate much conversation.
(In this past year, we have seen much happen to our freedoms in this country. We have seen lives destroyed or lost through illness, murder, or even increasing suicide. People have lost their homes, jobs, and many businesses lost. People no longer see another person’s face, and do not greet or smile at others very often. And where we might have previously been suspicious when someone was wearing a mask in a store, now it is the other way around. Those without a mask are kicked out of those stores. It is a conditioning that will lead up to the same mentality. No mark (of the beast), no purchasing groceries, no travel, no owning homes and eventually no living (during the Tribulation). You will be killed or you will have to take the mark and worship the beast. This will condemn you eternally if you make that choice. More on that another day.
There is a parable Jesus told in the Bible, and it goes like this:
And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ Luke 12:15-20
Some will tell you this has to do about someone being wealthy. No, that is not what this speaks to…
What or who is a fool?
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Ps 14:1a
There is a hereafter. This man above was busy worrying about this life, what he gained in this life, and he never believed, what good did it do him?
Life is not just our life here on earth, there are two destinations in the end. There is either an eternity with God, (who created every good thing — Light, warmth, joy, happiness, love, peace, beauty, kindness, gentleness, etc.) — OR, there is an eternity without God (or maybe even some of your loved ones). Separated forever, no second chances. No being prayed out of a imaginary place called purgatory — but only a final destination in a terrifying place where there is nothing good, but the presence of everything evil, wicked, terrifying, darkness, fear, hatred, anxiety, pain, sorrow etc.
When you die, you have reached it, there is no turning back, no second chances.
Why? Why would God do that (you ask) if He is loving?
He is loving, and He does and has done everything to draw you to Him. But some mock and scoff regarding His existence as well as His coming (2 Pet 3:3-9). Many do not seek Him, thinking they know more than the One who made them. Or they simply don’t believe He exists.
You may not think you need Him, but His breath holds you together and gave you life, whether you believe or not (Gen 2:7; Is 42:5; Job 33:4). God has also given you light, as He has to every man, woman, or child in the world. Any good you know about, is from God. Maybe you are just one who ignored Him, there is still time. Or you just don’t (or won’t) believe. You believe what others testify of God (who say they are Christians and are not), but you don’t look into His own testimony in His Word. There is still time (for the moment). The Bible says the Spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus Christ. Will you PLEASE look into His testimony? His many fulfilled prophecies? Or will you continue to look to yourself, others, or your own opinions.
He has given us all the immeasurable expanse of the heavens and the miraculous creations on the earth, which consistently declare His glory to everyone. There is no place where it cannot be understood (Ps 19:1-5; Rom 1:18-25). He is patient and longsuffering, not wanting anyone to perish (die eternally). He has proven His love for you, by dying for you while you were still a sinner (actually none of us even born yet). Time is running out for us all, and there are no second chances, and if you do not believe in Him (God come in the flesh) crucified for your sins, you will die in your sin (eternal separation from God in hell).
And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I AM He, you will die in your sins.” John 8:23-24
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. Ex 3:14 (Jesus is God). (Read more here about the I AM Statements)
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8
Who am I to say that time is running out?
Because the Bible is true, and is the one book that has consistently prophesied events that have all come true. And many prophesied over 2000-4000 plus years ago, are transpiring now. Jesus called some ‘birth pains/pangs’. Over 300 prophecies about Jesus alone were fulfilled in His first coming, yet most do not ask about it, look into it, many actually refuse to hear it. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 tells us Children of the Light (believers) can KNOW the times and the seasons of the upcoming judgment. Why not be open to hearing?
Are you an intellectual who possibly believes this is just an emotional response, maybe someone drinking the Kool-aid? (One person commented, “What a load of ‘c**p'”. He continued by stating, “man created God.”)
Really? Friend, How do you know? How sure are you? Are you willing to bet your eternal life on your own wisdom? The Word of God calls you a fool — and I believe His Word to be true.
What do you know about the history of the manuscripts, the statistical probability of Jesus fulfilling all the prophecies He did. Astronomical… read here if you’d like to know more in general.
I do not call you Fool — God has. I was a fool too. But why are you foolish? Because He has shown you about Himself. His Word says in Romans 1 that men hold or have suppressed the truth in unrighteousness. He says what may be known of God is manifested to YOU. God has shown it to you. He says the invisible things of Him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, and understood by all who are created, even His eternal power and Godhead, so you are without excuse. Because although you know about Him, you do not glorify Him as God, neither are you thankful, but you think yourself to be wise, and yet you have become a fool.
Please, please, don’t stay a fool.
Is this offensive to you?
I don’t mean at all to be offensive in myself. Try to imagine we are friends, sitting across table, just chatting. Let me ask you, how much looking into the Bible and it’s veracity have you really done? Or have you just accepted what someone said? Or the limited capacity of your own human thinking (we are not God).
Do you know the number of authors of the Bible? Or over what period of time it was written? In how many languages was it originally penned it, and in what countries was it written? What walks of life and education did the authors all come from? It’s likely you probably know the short-lived history of Nero, but yet you don’t know about the real historical Jesus who came and gave His life for you on the cross, took the curse of your pending eternal death, the penalty for your sins upon Himself. He drew you to Him on the cross, He drew everyone in the whole world, throughout all time. Read more here.
You know the difference between right and wrong I know, because God has written it on your heart. Not because somehow you’re just a good person. Where did that conscience come from? You know about justice and wanting justice at least for you and your loved ones. You know about good and desiring good in your own life. You know about life itself and wanting to live, but still you want to deny there is an eternal life, an eternal destiny and an eternal God who made you. Or you make up your own imaginary destination. Hiding your head in the sand will not keep the end away. We will all face God in the end. Jesus Christ is the judge of all. You either enter to eternal life through Him or eternal death and separation from God from rejecting Him in unbelief.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
In Romans 10:17, we are told that faith comes by hearing the Word. In 2 Timothy 3:15 we hear that the Scriptures are able to make a person ‘wise unto salvation‘, yet those who mock the Bible may never have opened one in any honest attempt to find out the truth. Or the ones who say they have — well, they know to search select verses like any other religious person who hammers you with their own wisdom, and pretends to know something they do not.
Have you believed upon Christ and Him crucified alone?
Church will not get you there. Stopping sinning (or being really sorry about sin), making promises to reform yourself, making Him Lord of your life, repenting from sin, committing your life, etc. — all is worthless to the free gift of eternal life and an offense to offer up your own sacrifices to a Holy God who has already given Himself as the perfect sacrifice. Being good is not good enough, for He is Holy and perfect, your works cannot contribute to your salvation.
You don’t believe?
Then again sadly, God says you are a fool, for you have rejected the knowledge of the One who made you. Who died in your place. And it will be for naught if you die, and do not believe. Read more here.
You may believe part of the Bible, but not all. Again, the Bible calls you a fool.
I care. I really do. I see so many dying, it’s worse than being in a hospital, for they don’t know how awful it will be.
God has sent people to you, do you remember?
Something different maybe about them? Maybe a stranger who was kind to you? Maybe a moment when you were desperate and someone picked up the phone, or helped you secretly? A Christian. No, I’m not talking about the picketers on the side of the road with megaphones who parade about with sandwich boards that declare, ‘repent from sin or die’. They don’t have the truth any more than a satanist does.
There are people out there that have a true message, but it is few and far between. How can you know? Read the Bible with the intent to learn the truth, pray and ask God to show you. Start in the book of John, and go from there.
How shall they hear without a preacher?
Unfortunately today, not many preachers share the good news (the truth of the gospel) with people anymore.
It has been tainted by men, some who are self-righteous Pharisee-types, who belittle others, and condemn others to hell. These same men do not know they are as lost and hardened as the ones they proclaim to be out ‘witnessing’ to. They justify themselves by their own ‘wonderful works’.
No thank you!
The Word of God says, their self-righteousness, their works are like filthy rags in God’s sight. Just as ours are (Isaiah 64:6). There is ONE WORK that God will accept and that is the work of His Son Jesus, who paid the price IN FULL (It is finished!) when He died on the cross for our sins. Every sin paid for, forgiveness complete, blotted out at the cross (Colossians 2:13-15). He was buried and rose again in three days, just like the Scriptures prophesied in advance and just like He said He would. This proved He IS GOD, God who came in the flesh to offer Himself in our place, and yet STILL many will deny Him. WE are stubborn, stiff-necked, self-willed, rebellious children. Yet He loves us — I don’t get it, but it’s true. Jesus Christ had the victory over sin and death (eternal death in hell), so that YOU and I might live with Him ETERNALLY — only God could do that.
Free from sickness and death
Free from sadness and sorrow
No more tears, no more pain
Free from sin FOREVER
Won’t you believe upon the One who loved you so much He gave Himself for you?
There will come a day soon, may be sooner than we think, that has been prophesied of. An end, that the other religions have also partially prophesied of. (Think on the false Mayan prophecy). Their prophecies will not ever come close to being true because they do not speak for God. But the Word of God is true. It has proven itself over and over. Some will stop their ears from hearing the truth (Acts 6 & 7), don’t be one of them.
Don’t wait… Tonight, an hour from now you could be in an accident while driving (read about my son Adam here). A few minutes away you could have a fatal heart attack. Tomorrow Iran, North Korea, China or any other country could nuke America.
We are not promised tomorrow…
Where will you go when you die? You think nowhere? Think again — PLEASE!
Holly, I agree with your analysis of Luke 12:16-21, along with your dispelling the false Lordship “salvation” (works for salvation) interpretation.
Also, many who are waiting to”believe in Jesus” have not understood the gospel. They still think they need to DO something (turn from sins, make Christ the master of their lives, etc.) in order to accept the free gift of eternal life.
Eternal life, as you so well laid out in your article, is available to every person on the same terms – by grace, through faith in Christ.
John, been having conversations with those who continue want to prove their salvation by their ‘total surrender’ and just do not understand… one gentleman says he is saved by grace through faith, yet it’s the quality of his faith. Poor guy, he hasn’t quite understood positional sanctification being separate from our being sanctified practically while we are walking in this flesh, assuming we are cooperating to be in His Word (Ps 119:9; John 17:17, Eph 5:26).
I talked to him a little bit about the fact we ARE sanctified by His sacrifice, once for all, how we ARE perfected forever (Heb 10:10,14), but loadship teachings have his mind corrupted right now. Praying for these people….
Holly, I have seen quite a few LSers point to Ezekiel and the new heart that a Christian receives as proof that “true Christians will…”
How would these same people explain King Saul?
1 Samuel 10:9: And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.
Saul was saved, but he did not exactly serve the Lord to the “best of his abilities”. He made a mess of things, but we will see him in heaven.
Good point John. Many of the reformed or load-shippers say King Saul was not saved. Even in light of Samuel saying this regarding Saul’s imminent death, “to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me”.
Swordoftruth777 (David Fleming/David Tutty). Please spend some time with the Lord and in His Word. I’m not sure what the difference is between you telling me I was ‘acting like a Jezebel’ or calling me Jezebel, but I will say you are correct there. That is indeed what you said (of many things).
Either way, you need to stop teaching others. One who identifies as a brother in Christ, yet is a railer should not be in a position of leadership. I pray for you, but do not want you posting here either, right now you are doubleminded and unstable in your ways. Insults are not becoming to one who names Christ, and this kind of behavior (railing at me on FB, then over on expreacherman, then following to rail here) shows a lack of sound speech that cannot be condemned, and certainly a lack of tenderness, kind heart or gentleness in your own thoughts and words to others. Because of those things, you are not qualified to be an elder.
I pray sincerely you will find some peace but none of the admins here will be allowing your posts that I know of.
Post Script: No more commenting David, we will not be posting these things. Please consider the Scriptures.
Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Titus 2:6-8
20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. James 1:20-26
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. 13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. James 3:3-18
Thank you for the blessing of making the gospel as simple and wonderful as it is. I have a dear friend, man that I have know since he was a boy and he has been deceived by the Lordship theogly. It breaks my heart and he has become absolutely enthralled with John McArthur. Thank you for all your postings and may God continue to use you each and every day to reach many fir the Glory of our awesome Savior.
Belinda, thank you for stopping by. I really appreciate your encouraging words. I do understand how heartbreaking it is, praying your friend might search the Scriptures to see if what MacArthur says is really so… May we all be careful not to allow the enemy to subtly corrupt our minds from the simplicity that is in Christ. It’s why it’s so important to remember to put on our armor daily, a piece of which is the gospel. I know we all can fail, we can all think of men beyond what is written, we can all be deceived, but if we abide in His Word, and are in the strong meat of His Word we’ll be better able to discern between good and evil. So thankful to Him for His goodness to us. Hope to see you again Belinda. In Christ, Holly
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