Who Holds the Future
Draw me away! We will run after you. The king has brought me into his chambers.
- Song of Solomon 1:4
Recommended Reading
James 4:13-17
Forbes magazine is famous for its lists, one of them being “The 20 Most Expensive Celebrity Weddings.” Among the astounding number of dollars spent on cakes, dresses, and honeymoons, at least five of the twenty couples spent money on a fairy-tale setting for their wedding: a castle. Scotland’s Skibo Castle was used twice, and Italy’s Odescalchi Castle was also used along with England’s Sudeley Castle and India’s Umaid Bhawan Palace.
While not exactly a castle in the strict sense, King Solomon’s palace in Jerusalem probably fulfilled all his bride’s expectations when they married. No wonder she said to him early in the Song of Solomon, “Draw me away!” What young girl doesn’t dream of that most romantic of days in her future—her wedding day? Yet what a comfort to know that God holds the real-life answers to every heart’s dream. We may not know what the future holds, but we definitely know who holds the future.
If you have dreams or questions about tomorrow, commit them to the God of the future. If your dream doesn’t come true, it’s only because God has something even better in store.
Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to his love, and the future to his providence. Augustine
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13 comments:
”What young girl doesn’t dream of that most romantic of days in her future—her wedding day? Yet what a comfort to know that God holds the real-life answers to every heart’s dream.”
I'm pretty sure Christina Taylor Green had such dreams. Apparently, though, God in his infinite wisdom decided that she was to have no future.
”If you have dreams or questions about tomorrow, commit them to the God of the future. If your dream doesn’t come true, it’s only because God has something even better in store.”
Well, whatever it is, Christina will never be able to share it with anyone. Nor will the other five people who were murdered in that incident. I didn't hear or read anything from survivors or relatives claiming that God had better plans for the victims; probably because it shows that old “free will” business is just a crock of...rather, that it just doesn't hold up.
GM wrote: "Apparently, though, God in his infinite wisdom decided that she was to have no future."
That is your belief, GM.
In my belief, she has an eternity of existence in another state of being. She was close to the age of accountability (generally considered ages 7 - 9) and the article didn't mention what faith she had. In God's economy, however, those who die before being deemed at the age of accountability are saved. I hope that was the case for little Christina.
The "free will" of the killer who chose to use it for evil purposes was what caused Christina's untimely death. But the mercy and grace of God is new every morning.
Thank you Steve Finnell and covnitkepr1. I have looked at your excellent Christian blogs and have added myself as a follower to both of your blogs.
God bless,
Christine
This side of heaven, we see as through a glass darkly. Some of the things that happen in this world do not make sense to our finite minds. Even Jesus told us that "in this world you will have trouble (tribulation)." But He didn't end there. He added, "But take heart! For I have overcome the world."
How did He overcome the world? Through the Cross.
1 Corinthians explains it well:
1Cr 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1Cr 1:19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."
1Cr 1:20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1Cr 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
1Cr 1:22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
1Cr 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
1Cr 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1Cr 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1Cr 1:26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
1Cr 1:27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
1Cr 1:28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
1Cr 1:29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
1Cr 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—
1Cr 1:31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."
”She was close to the age of accountability (generally considered ages 7 - 9) and the article didn't mention what faith she had. In God's economy, however, those who die before being deemed at the age of accountability are saved.”
According to other accounts I've read, Christina was a Catholic.
I have heard no “official” age given when a child is considered responsible. We don't allow them to drive or to vote unless they're of a certain age, and they aren't legal under the law until a different (older) age. So how is one to believe that the age of nine is old enough to decide properly on so-called “eternal” matters?
“Frequently lost in the discussion regarding the age of accountability is the fact that children, no matter how young, are not 'innocent' in the sense of being sinless. The Bible tells us that even if an infant or child has not committed personal sin, all people, including infants and children, are guilty before God because of inherited and imputed sin. Inherited sin is that which is passed on from our parents.”
So says this site regarding “age of accountability”.
”The "free will" of the killer who chose to use it for evil purposes was what caused Christina's untimely death.”
So his free will was greater than the free will of the people who chose to be there? And God permitted this?? Nice religion you have here.
That article you cited contains a good explanation of why many Christians believe that the age of accountability is sound doctrine based on the mercy and grace of God for the young and/or mentally incompetent who are incapable of making a decision for Christ before their physical death.
I have heard that the age of accountability is considered to be as late as age 12. The article says age 13. The article also states that it can vary from child to child. That makes sense because some children mature more rapidly than others.
Your dislike for my "religion" and hatred for the God of the Bible has been evident to me over all the years you have been writing at the forum and here at this blog. I don't expect you to ever change your attitude. However, I answer your folly and foolishness for the benefit of those who happen to come across this blog and read.
Yes. God permitted that evil act to occur. His permissive will allows each individual the choice to pursue a life on earth of evil, sin, and death (including spiritual death after physical death). Being a Christian does not exempt a person from suffering the consequences of what man would consider as an untimely death. The difference between you and me is simple. You think you own your own life. I believe that God owns mine.
God did not spare His own Son the agony of death on the cross. 1 Corinthians 1:18 - 31 (above) helps explain why. All of the disciples who fled (except John) when Christ was arrested and crucified, came back and preached the Gospel for the rest of their lives after seeing His resurrection from the dead. They each died a horrible physical death (except John) as a result of their preaching. People don't make such a dramatic turnabout over something that did not actually happen. It is one of the many great proofs that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fact of history.
Before the crucifixion occurred, these men feared for their lives and ran from Christ. But then, they turned back to Him after witnessing the miracle of the resurrection.
Many men have been running from Christ ever since. But those who recognize the power of the cross for eternal salvation have no need to fear and run away from Him anymore.
Of course, the Bible says it better than I could:
1Cr 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1Cr 1:19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."
As you say, “That is your belief.”
I don't recall ever being coy with you about how I regard the God of the Bible. You've known from day one exactly how I feel. You've implied here that God's 'permissive will' sentences both the 9-year-old child and the 79-year-old retiree to the same fate despite the fact that the latter had far more opportunities to 'pursue a life...of evil, sin and death'.
Previously, you called Christina's death 'untimely' but now you've qualified it (“...what man would consider as an untimely death”), because you've been reminded that God's timing is never off. He knew exactly when that girl and the others would die. He is “in control”, so he arranged it that way.
But I hate God the same way I hate Emperor Palpatine. When he shows up onscreen, I hiss at him, but 98% of the time he's never around, so I never think about him. He doesn't impact my day-to-day life.
”They each died a horrible physical death (except John) as a result of their preaching. People don't make such a dramatic turnabout over something that did not actually happen.”
No one knows what became of the disciples. Peter and Paul reportedly died in Rome in CE 64, during Nero's persecution; the fate of the others is nowhere recorded. Like Joseph, they simply vanish from the narrative, never to be seen again.
”Before the crucifixion occurred, these men feared for their lives and ran from Christ. But then, they turned back to Him after witnessing the miracle of the resurrection.”
None of the disciples saw Christ entombed—they were all in hiding. None of them saw him emerge from the tomb, either. Even the women who went to the tomb said the stone had already been moved.
That's not revelation, that's hearsay!
”The difference between you and me is simple. You think you own your own life. I believe that God owns mine.”
You're right about the difference. I think, you believe.
The fact that you either don't realize or just simply refuse to acknowledge Christ, is that one day you (along with every other person who has ever lived) will one day bow down before God. Even those like you who choose not to believe. Then it will be too late to escape eternal judgment.
Your choice.
So be it.
CJW: ”The fact that you either don't realize or just simply refuse to acknowledge Christ, is that one day you (along with every other person who has ever lived) will one day bow down before God. Even those like you who choose not to believe. Then it will be too late to escape eternal judgment.”
Ah, yes, the old threat.
Your belief. Not mine.
So be it.
(Oooh, doesn't that biblical syntax give you a rush?)
New International Version (©1984)
It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"
New Living Translation (©2007)
For the Scriptures say, "'As surely as I live,' says the LORD, every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.'"
English Standard Version (©2001)
for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD."
International Standard Version (©2008)
For it is written, "As certainly as I live, declares the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will praise God."
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Scripture says, "As certainly as I live, says the Lord, everyone will worship me, and everyone will praise God."
King James Bible
For it is written, [As] I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
American King James Version
For it is written, As I live, said the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
American Standard Version
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, And every tongue shall confess to God.
Bible in Basic English
For it is said in the holy Writings, By my life, says the Lord, to me every knee will be bent, and every tongue will give worship to God.
Douay-Rheims Bible
For it is written: As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Darby Bible Translation
For it is written, I live, saith the Lord, that to me shall bow every knee, and every tongue shall confess to God.
English Revised Version
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, And every tongue shall confess to God.
Webster's Bible Translation
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Weymouth New Testament
for it is written, "'As I live,' says the Lord, 'to Me every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall make confession to God.'"
World English Bible
For it is written, "'As I live,' says the Lord, 'to me every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess to God.'"
Young's Literal Translation
for it hath been written, 'I live! saith the Lord -- to Me bow shall every knee, and every tongue shall confess to God;'
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
For it is written - This passage is recorded in Isaiah 45:23. It is not quoted literally, but the sense is preserved. In Isaiah there can be no doubt that it refers to Yahweh. The speaker expressly calls himself Yahweh, the name which is appropriate to God alone, and which is never applied to a creature; Romans 14:18. In the place before us, the words are applied by Paul expressly to Christ; compare Romans 14:10. This mode of quotation is a strong incidental proof that the apostle regarded the Lord Jesus as divine. On no other principle could he have made these quotations.
As I live - The Hebrew is, "I have sworn by myself." One expression is equivalent to the other. An "oath" of God is often expressed by the phrase "as I live;" Numbers 14:21; Isaiah 49:18; Ezekiel 5:11; Ezekiel 14:16, etc.
Saith the Lord - These words are not in the Hebrew text, but are added by the apostle to show that the passage quoted was spoken by the Lord, the Messiah; compare Isaiah 45:18, Isaiah 45:22.
Every knee shall bow to me - To bow the knee" is an act expressing homage, submission, or adoration. It means that every person shall acknowledge him as God, and admit his right to universal dominion. The passage in Isaiah refers particularly to the homage which "his own people" should render to him; or rather, it means that all who are saved shall acknowledge "him" as their God and Saviour. The original reference was not to "all men," but only to those who should be saved; Isaiah 45:17, Isaiah 45:21-22, Isaiah 45:24. In this sense the apostle uses it; not as denoting that "all men" should confess to God, but that all "Christians," whether Jewish or Gentile converts, should alike give account to Him. "They" should all bow before their common God, and acknowledge "his" dominion over them. The passage originally did not refer particularly to the day of judgment, but expressed the truth that all believers should acknowledge his dominion. It is as applicable, however, to the judgment, as to any other act of homage which his people will render.
Every tongue shall confess to God - In the Hebrew, "Every tongue shall swear." Not swear "by God," but "to him;" that is, pay to him our vows, or "answer to him on oath" for our conduct; and this is the same as confessing to him, or acknowledging him as our Judge.
Both comments from:
Bible.cc
The following also from Bible.cc:
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Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
For it is written,.... In Isaiah 45:23; though Justin Martyr (o) cites a like passage with what follows, as out of Ezekiel 37, but no such words appear there, either in the Hebrew text, or Septuagint version:
as I live, saith the Lord; the form of an oath used often by the Lord; who because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself, by his own life; signifying, that what he was about to say, would as surely come to pass, as that he lived; and in the original text in Isaiah it is, "I have sworn by myself"; which being generally expressed, the apostle, perfectly agreeable to the meaning of it, gives the particular form of oath he swore, as in Isaiah 49:18;
every knee shall bow to me; which is not to be understood literally of bowing of the knee at the name of Jesus, which has no foundation in this, nor in any other passage of Scripture, but figuratively, of the subjection of all creatures to Christ, both voluntary and involuntary. The Complutensian edition adds, "of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth", as in Philippians 2:10, from whence these words seem to be taken:
and every tongue shall confess to God; that is, everyone that has a tongue, every man, be he who he will, a good or a bad man, shall own at the last day, that Christ is God and Lord of all; see Philippians 2:10. It may be asked, how this passage appears to be a proof of what the apostle had asserted, for which purpose it seems to be cited, since here is nothing said of Christ, nor of his judgment seat, nor of all standing before it? to which may be returned, that it is clear from the context in the prophet, that the Messiah is the person speaking, who is said to be a just God and Saviour; and is represented as calling upon, and encouraging all sorts of persons to look to him for salvation; and as he in whom the church expected righteousness and strength, and in whom all the seed of Israel shall be justified, and shall glory; and which the Chaldee paraphrase all along interprets of , "the Word of the Lord"; the essential Word of God, the true Messiah: moreover, the bowing of the knee, and swearing, or confessing, to him, relate to his lordship and dominion over all; and suppose him as sitting on his throne of glory, as Lord of all, or as a judge on his judgment seat, in a court of judicature, where such like actions as here mentioned are performed; and whereas every knee is to bow, and every tongue to confess to him, which include all mankind, it follows then, that all the saints shall stand before him, bow unto him, own him as their Lord, and be judged by him. Kimchi says (p), that this shall be , "in the last days": and which the apostle rightly refers to the day of the general judgment. This place affords a considerable proof of Christ's true and proper deity, being in the prophet styled "Jehovah", and by the apostle "God"; and such things being ascribed to him, as swearing by himself, which no creature may do, and the subjection and confession of all creatures to him, whether they will or not.
(o) Apolog. 2. pro Christianis, p. 87. (p) In Isaiah 45:23.
”It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"
New Living Translation (©2007)”, etc.
I guess free will ends at the foot of the throne, eh?
The existence of every Confucian, every Muslim, every Hindu, every animist, every atheist shows this verse to be vapor. This isn't the 16th century any more; the modern Amalekites don't always roll over and die just because God's fan club wants them to.
Now you know I can't handle this on the blog due to space limitations (which you, as webmistress, don't have). But I'll be glad to deal with it on the Place You No Longer Visit.
You have the Apologetics sheepskin; perhaps it's time you aired it out a bit.
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