It Was Finished From the Beginning In The Lord's View - PART 124

The anti Christ(s) seem to be everywhere. However, as satan’s employees, they are extremely subtle. After all, the spirit of the devil is described as being the father of lies. Right from the garden of Eden, the devil opposed the Word of God. While in the temptation which transpired when the devil tempted the Lord, the devil  always presented a twisted warped presentation of the written Word. Recall throughout that the Lord constantly reminded the devil of the truths of God which were written. The Word of God being not only accurate but unchangeable.

Down through the generations believers have endeavoured to express faith in the finished plan of God at Calvary. “It is finished was His cry.” This is why salvation is not a salvation of works. This salvation is the redemptive work of God Himself toward all sinners. For the Lord said that He came to seek and to save that which was lost.

For example, I was lost but I did not know that I was lost. I had followed the crowd on the broad way to destruction. Talk about deception! The devil spun the web and I was trapped. That is, until someone spoke the Word of God to me. It was then that the light switch was turned on. The light of the glorious gospel of God revealed in the face of Jesus. Like a day star -- the dawning of a better day -- light arising and the darkness gradually being dispelled.

It is for this reason that the Word of God is all powerful. The stony heart of unbelief being circumcised with the truths delivered by the Lord to the Apostles. These were truths that He had Himself chosen and their word (which of course did not deviate from) His Word. He confirmed the Word and by so doing established a Rock on which believers could take to the bank of heaven.

So, at what point does one no longer have a God approved right to authentically be called Christian?  I would venture to suggest never. Certainly, if Christ is the Head of the Church which is His body, and Christ the Word is spoken by the Spirit through the mouth of the Head Jesus, then only those who are redeemed as a result of hearing His Word and continuing steadfastly therein ought to have the right to be described as Christian. All others who present a message that does not conform to the scriptures must be classified as anti Christ.

So, when one hears another say that there is such a place called purgatory - a place where one receives essentially a second chance to redeem him or herself -- then this is utter foolishness. It certainly is misrepresenting what the scriptures state in the written Word. Therefore, this type of latter message could only be presented by 1) someone who is an enemy of the gospel, or 2) by individuals who have never read the written Word, or 3) one who has been programmed in erroneous teachings.

Recall that when Peter opposed what Jesus said, Jesus turned to Peter and said, "Get you behind me satan, for you savour not the things that be of God but the things that be of man."

It is ultimately your decision but taken together, purgatory is not a reality of God, but one created in the imaginations and minds of man. Indeed, the Lord Himself made no reference to such a place. Further, to even entertain that such a place did exist where we could redeem ourselves would be suggesting that what was accomplished on the cross by Jesus at Calvary was inadequate.

That the Blood of the Holy Ghost that flowed in the veins of the Lord Jesus, which flowed from the side of His marred body for man’s redemption was insufficient. But to those who accept Jesus, we understand the price that was paid on the cross. Jesus died in order that we might receive the gift of salvation.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Accept Jesus as Lord God and Saviour in your life today. Repent and be baptized in His name -- the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Stand firm in His teachings. Stand in the offering plate.