Theme: THE CHURCH
Lesson: THE CHURCH, A PEOPLE WITH ONE LIFETIME CHANCE
Scripture Reference:
Heb. 9:27
As long as a person is alive here on earth, he has a chance to make heaven. Such opportunity can only be terminated by death. The subject matter under discussion is quite necessary that we know clearly so that place is not given to confusion to suggest that there can ever be any post death chance for repentance and salvation of the soul as speculated in some millennial theories of eschatology. With some, the physical Israel who, through their unbelief, an opening had been created for the Gentiles, will have an opportunity to work out their salvation under the Antichrist as though heaven would be overstretched if they and the Gentiles had believed simultaneously – a clear testimony that they never understood Paul as Peter said in ‘2Pet.3:15,16’. The error is traced to the misapplication of ‘Rom.11’. Paul never said God could not save both the Jews and the Gentiles simultaneously if they had believed the Gospel of Christ.
The message that will save everybody – physical or spiritual Israel – is received by faith – cf. Eph. 2:8,9. “Without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6) was the message Jesus gave to Paul for every Gentile and Jew everywhere and, in ‘Rom. 11:22,23’, Paul made that clear, especially in NIV. Misconstrued information from Apostle Paul, according to Apostle Peter, has also added up to the fallacy on eschatology as stated already. (See also ‘1Tim. 1:3-5’)
There is nothing in the teachings of Christ that presents us with a second chance of repentance after Jesus’ second coming and consequently taking His elect to be with Him forever. Jesus Himself painted a picture of how it will be, based on the time of Noah: (Luke 17) Jesus will appear with a trumpet sound which all must hear and come back to life – whether wicked or righteous. Those alive till then will be transformed by Jesus into the spiritual state, separate the righteous from the wicked to be with Jesus as long as is needed for everything associated with Satan (the world system) to be destroyed beneath and finally the restoration of the new heaven and new earth. (See 2Pet.3:13). We are very much aware that our much needed unalloyed and eternal joy will be restored after Satan and his agents will be bound forever – cf. 2Thess.2:8. Complicating the simple or living message of Jesus’ victory for us over the forces of darkness must not be allowed through a veiled theory of eschatology. So, “it is appointed for men to die once and, thereafter, judgement.” (Heb.9:27)
EVALUATION:
1. Jesus committed His life to Scripture and admitted therein as true. Looking at Noah’s time, narrate the order of His second coming.
2. In apocalyptic books like Revelation and Daniel, numbers are ideas. What does the number “one thousand” mean reading ‘Rev. 20:1-7’?
3. According to ‘1Tim. 1:3-5’, what is the charge of the faith of Jesus Christ which is the aim of the divine training in faith which cannot be complicated by genealogies?
4. Our prayers must not seek to harm anybody who is alive now in the flesh since we are left with one lifetime chance guided by the Holy Spirit pending the dispensation of fire hereafter. (True or False) Why?
Conclusion
Let’s focus on living for Jesus, sharing the Gospel, and making the most of our one lifetime chance. Let’s not be deceived by false teachings or complicated theories – let’s keep it simple and biblical.
Benediction
May God guide us by His Spirit, empowering us to live for Him and share His love with others. May we be found faithful when He returns.
Evaluation questions’ Answers
1. Jesus will appear with a trumpet sound, resurrect the dead, transform the living, and separate the righteous from the wicked (Luke 17; 1 Thess. 4:16-17).
2. The number “one thousand” represents a complete and perfect period of time, symbolizing God’s reign and the binding of Satan (Rev. 20:1-7).
3. The charge is to hold onto love, faith, and a good conscience, avoiding speculative and complicated teachings that distract from the simplicity of the Gospel (1 Tim. 1:3-5).
4. True. We should pray for people’s salvation and well-being, not harm, as they have one lifetime chance to repent and believe (2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:1-4).
