Traditionally, most of Christiandom believes that all of humanity must be saved now in this church age. Otherwise, it will be too late and all those who are 'lost' will end up burning in eternal hellfire. If this belief is true, then God is on the losing side as Satan has much more 'followers' than the Almighty! The truth of the matter is that such doctrinal belief is false as it is not supported by Scriptures. The Plan of God for salvation of mankind - spelt out in Leviticus 23 - is clear as to the timing of salvation for all of humanity when it will occur towards the last century of the Millennium age when all who have ever life will be resurrected to physical life for judgement and not condemnation (Ezekiel 37; Matt 11:21-24; John 5: 28-29; Acts 24:15). They will then be given the truth and opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour (Acts 4:12) and Christ will then be the Lord of all these lords. Only those who are called in this church age and eventually chosen will be the firstfruits (James 1:18) of God's new creation.
Although all who had never yielded to Christ as their Lord and Saviour are not saved, they are not 'lost' either - they are neither lost nor saved. Their time of salvation is not yet as they are not being called in this age. Many professed Christians believe that they are called by God to serve in this and in that capacity. But this is not what the Scriptures meant. The Apostle Paul stated this succinctly in Romans 8:29-30 thus, 'For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He did predestinate, them he also called, and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.' These tell us that God knew well in advance whom He will call based on foreknowledge - some even while they were still in their mother's womb like prophet Samuel and Jeremiah! Simply put, calling of a believer is initiated by God (John 6:44; 6:65) and one who is called is given to understand the truth of God when he/she reads, listens and sees it. God has predestinate the one He called to be a son in the Family of God who will be given power and authority to preach and reign in the kingdom of God when Christ returns. While on earth, Christ taught His disciples how to obey the gospel of peace (Rom 10:15-16) by coming out of the value system of this world to become God's ambassador of peace to live a 'give way of life' instead of a 'get way of life'.
The verse in John 6:66 tells us that since then, many of Christ 's disciples walked with Him no more. They probably could not figure out how God had to initiate the call before one can become the disciple of Christ. The same could be said of thousands today who mistakenly taught that they had been called of God to go into full-time ministry or into the mission field. But this is not what the calling is all about as it is based on some personal feeling or words spoken from some charismatic leaders or preachers. The truth of this is given by Christ Himself when he told His disciples, 'Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (God), but to them it is not given... Therefore speak I to them in parables' - Matt 13:11 & 13. Many have heard of the gospel of the kingdom of heaven (God) but have no clue what it meant because the Spirit of God have not illuminated their mind to understand the truth of God. It is something that have to be given of God.
Again, the Apostle Paul wrote that not many wise, not many mighty and noble are called of God (1 Cor 1:26). Instead, God had chosen the foolish and weak things of this world to confound the wise (verse 27). However, there is a warning to those who are called as Paul wrote to the Galatians, 'I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.' Some are already preaching another gospel other than the gospel of Christ which is the kingdom of God. It does not mean that those whom God called will automatically qualify for eternal life. They have to prove their allegiance to Christ and obedience to His word before God will give them the Holy Spirit for empowerment (Acts 5:32). Christ also warned in His word, 'For many are called but few are chosen' - Matt 20: 16; 22:14. Many who were called but failed to qualify for eternal life because of disobedience - unless they repented of their sin in time before their physical death or the time of the Great Tribulation, whichever comes first.
Once you understand God's truth, God is calling you and you must act on His word. Begin to study more of His word (continue in my word -John 8:31), and the truth shall make you free - John 8:32. Once God's Holy Spirit begin working in your life, you will begin to learn more and see the truth as it really is. Studying the word of God will be enjoyable and easy to understand as the Spirit illuminates your mind with more truths from the word of God and not from the teachings and traditions of men (Mark 7:7). However, do note that those who are called of God will face trial and tribulation - for we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22); For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required (Luke 12:48). In fact, the Lord Christ warned that there will be division even among family members for those who abide in the truth (Luke 12: 51-53) in order to be counted as faithful and wise steward whom his lord shall make ruler over his household (12:42). That is the inheritance of the reward in the eternal kingdom of God for those who obey and abide in Christ.
Although all who had never yielded to Christ as their Lord and Saviour are not saved, they are not 'lost' either - they are neither lost nor saved. Their time of salvation is not yet as they are not being called in this age. Many professed Christians believe that they are called by God to serve in this and in that capacity. But this is not what the Scriptures meant. The Apostle Paul stated this succinctly in Romans 8:29-30 thus, 'For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He did predestinate, them he also called, and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.' These tell us that God knew well in advance whom He will call based on foreknowledge - some even while they were still in their mother's womb like prophet Samuel and Jeremiah! Simply put, calling of a believer is initiated by God (John 6:44; 6:65) and one who is called is given to understand the truth of God when he/she reads, listens and sees it. God has predestinate the one He called to be a son in the Family of God who will be given power and authority to preach and reign in the kingdom of God when Christ returns. While on earth, Christ taught His disciples how to obey the gospel of peace (Rom 10:15-16) by coming out of the value system of this world to become God's ambassador of peace to live a 'give way of life' instead of a 'get way of life'.
The verse in John 6:66 tells us that since then, many of Christ 's disciples walked with Him no more. They probably could not figure out how God had to initiate the call before one can become the disciple of Christ. The same could be said of thousands today who mistakenly taught that they had been called of God to go into full-time ministry or into the mission field. But this is not what the calling is all about as it is based on some personal feeling or words spoken from some charismatic leaders or preachers. The truth of this is given by Christ Himself when he told His disciples, 'Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (God), but to them it is not given... Therefore speak I to them in parables' - Matt 13:11 & 13. Many have heard of the gospel of the kingdom of heaven (God) but have no clue what it meant because the Spirit of God have not illuminated their mind to understand the truth of God. It is something that have to be given of God.
Again, the Apostle Paul wrote that not many wise, not many mighty and noble are called of God (1 Cor 1:26). Instead, God had chosen the foolish and weak things of this world to confound the wise (verse 27). However, there is a warning to those who are called as Paul wrote to the Galatians, 'I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.' Some are already preaching another gospel other than the gospel of Christ which is the kingdom of God. It does not mean that those whom God called will automatically qualify for eternal life. They have to prove their allegiance to Christ and obedience to His word before God will give them the Holy Spirit for empowerment (Acts 5:32). Christ also warned in His word, 'For many are called but few are chosen' - Matt 20: 16; 22:14. Many who were called but failed to qualify for eternal life because of disobedience - unless they repented of their sin in time before their physical death or the time of the Great Tribulation, whichever comes first.
Once you understand God's truth, God is calling you and you must act on His word. Begin to study more of His word (continue in my word -John 8:31), and the truth shall make you free - John 8:32. Once God's Holy Spirit begin working in your life, you will begin to learn more and see the truth as it really is. Studying the word of God will be enjoyable and easy to understand as the Spirit illuminates your mind with more truths from the word of God and not from the teachings and traditions of men (Mark 7:7). However, do note that those who are called of God will face trial and tribulation - for we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22); For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required (Luke 12:48). In fact, the Lord Christ warned that there will be division even among family members for those who abide in the truth (Luke 12: 51-53) in order to be counted as faithful and wise steward whom his lord shall make ruler over his household (12:42). That is the inheritance of the reward in the eternal kingdom of God for those who obey and abide in Christ.
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