Reason 19
Christ's Blood was used to take away the sins of the world; all sins of the world. His blood has cleansed ALL sin, and that is enough for me. There is absolutely nothing I can do to cleanse my sins. I have given them all to Him, and He has paid the debt of my sins for me.
I will begin with the Bible.
Christ's Blood Cleanses All Sin
2 Samuel 12:13
..."The LORD also has put away your sin..."
Isaiah 53:3-10
He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. And they made His grave with the wicked-But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it please the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.
Jeremiah 31:34
No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."
Matthew 1:21
And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."
John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Romans 3:23-25
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God has passed over the sins that were previously committed,
Romans 5:9-10
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
1 Corinthians 15:3
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
2 Corinthians 5:14-21
For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Ephesians 2:13
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:16
and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
Colossians 1:14
in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:20-22
and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight-
Hebrews 9:15
And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Hebrews 10:19-22
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:29
Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
James 4:17
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
1 Peter 1:18-20
knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your father, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you
1 Peter 2:24
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed.
1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:8-2:2
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
1 John 4:10
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
from carm.org
Salvation, complete forgiveness of sins, does not come through obedience to the laws and the commandments. Complete forgiveness of sins comes by faith in Jesus Christ, the Jesus of the Bible.
The above is what I believe.
The following is from LDS sources.
from mormoninfo.org
Christ did not die for all sins.
Christ did not atone for the murderer, since there is no forgiveness for him "in this world, nor in the world to come." Christ also did not pay for more than a one-time offense of adultery, since such violators cannot be forgiven either (D&C 42:18, 79 and 25-9). Actually, according to one apostle, Christ atoned simply for Adam's sin, and left "us responsible only for our own sins." This apostle goes on to quote the 2nd Article of Faith that claims "men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression" (Le Grand Richards, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder [1976], 98). Other LDS prophets have taught that there are certain "sins" that one may commit that are beyond the atonement of the Son of God...
2nd Article of Faith
We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
Christ's Blood Covers Only Certain Sins
D&C 42:79
And it shall come to pass, that if any persons among you shall kill they shall be delivered up and dealt with according to the laws of the land; for remember that he hath no forgiveness; and it shall be proved according to the laws of the land.
"Joseph Fielding Smith taught that there were certain sins so grievous that man may commit, that they will place the transgressors beyond the power of the atonement of Christ. If these offenses are committed, then the blood of Christ will not cleanse them from their sins even though they repent. Therefore their only hope is to have their own blood shed to atone, as far as possible, in their behalf." (Doctrines of Salvation, v 1, p 135)
D&C 132:27
The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall not be forgiven in the world nor out of the world, is in that ye commit murder wherein ye shed innocent blood, and assent unto my death, after ye have received my new and everlasting covenant, saith the Lord God; and he that abideth not this law can in nowise enter into my glory, but shall be damned, saith the Lord.
HIS Blood Covers Those Certain Sins AFTER All We Can Do
2 Nephi 25:23
For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.
HIS Blood Covers Those Certain Sins As Long As We Have Repented Of Them
D&C 42:25-29
But he that has committed adultery and repents with all his heart, and forsaketh it, and doeth it no more, thou shalt forgive; But if he doeth it again, he shall not be forgiven, but shall be cast out. Thou shalt not speak evil of thy neighbor, nor do him any harm. Thou knowest my laws concerning these things are given in my scriptures; he that sinneth and repenteth not shall be cast out. If thou lovest me thou shalt serve me and keep all my commandments.
LDS teach that true repentance means that we will not commit the sin again. There is no way I could uphold that philosophy that the LDS church preaches. After all, I am only human, and I accept Christ's sacrifice for me.
Another disagreement between my beliefs and LDS beliefs.
The Bible tells us every sin, even murder, can be forgiven.
Matthew 12:31
"Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgive men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
The Book of Mormon agrees with the Bible saying Murder can be forgiven.
3 Nephi 30:2
Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel.
However, the Doctrine and Covenants disagrees with the Bible and the Book of Mormon. D&C tells us there will be No Forgiveness for Murder.
D&C 42:18
And now, behold, I speak unto the church. Thou shalt not kill; and he that kills shall not have forgiveness in this world, nor in the world to come.
And finally, the Bible tells us if we attempt to keep all the commandments and fail even on one, then we are guilty of ALL commandments.
James 2:10
For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
My unanswered questions were:
Which sins will HE forgive and which sins will HE not forgive? At exactly what point does HE fill in the rest after I have done "all I can do"? At what point will I know that I have done "all I can do" in order for my sins to be covered? What would happen if I were to die before I had an opportunity to repent of a certain sin or sins? Would I have to deal with the punishment in Hell? How can I possibly obey all 1,000 plus commandments that are in the Bible when I don't even know what all those commandments are? How do I repent of sins that I am not even aware of?
I was initially devastated when I received these answers, yet overjoyed to find the truth that I am a sinner no matter how hard I try to not be a sinner. All will be forgiven of me because He has died for ALL my sins! I willingly accept HIS sacrifice!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
THE CROSS
Reason 18
I think this is my favorite reason so far! The Bible tells us to Glory in the Cross!
Matthew 10:38
And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Mark 8:34
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Mark 10:21
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."
Luke 9:23
Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
*Therefore, the cross symbolizes the way we, as Christians, should live.
Luke 14:27
And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
1 Corinthians 1:17-18
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. 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.
Galatians 6:14
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
*There is nothing else that deserves boasting except the Cross.
Ephesians 2:16
and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
Hebrews 12:2
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Bible points to the Cross as the place where Jesus atoned for our sins. The symbol of the Cross is central in Christianity and has been central since the first century.
I missed my Cross more than anything else when I was LDS. I was told over and over that the reason they did not Glory in the Cross was because it was a reminder of His Death instead of His Life. My disagreement with this is...the Cross is a remembrance of His Sacrifice. However, the Crucifix is a remembrance of His Death. And as a Christian, I do not Glory in the Crucifix; I Glory in the Cross!
Mormons do not Glory in the Cross. They have no crosses anywhere; not in their homes; not on their body; not in their temples; not in their books; nowhere.
From mormonwiki.org/Cross
Mormons typically do not want anything to do with the symbol of the cross, stating such things as, "If they had shot Jesus with a firing squad, would they hang a gun on the church?"
"Latter-day Saints object to the use of a cross on their buildings and the wearing of the cross. They view the symbolism of the cross as having a pagan origin and that it symbolizes Christ's torture and death, not his resurrection." (utlm.org)
This is a precarious position Mormons take, as they have no problem with various pentagrams on Mormon buildings.
I think this is my favorite reason so far! The Bible tells us to Glory in the Cross!
Matthew 10:38
And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Mark 8:34
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Mark 10:21
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."
Luke 9:23
Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
*Therefore, the cross symbolizes the way we, as Christians, should live.
Luke 14:27
And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
1 Corinthians 1:17-18
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. 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.
Galatians 6:14
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
*There is nothing else that deserves boasting except the Cross.
Ephesians 2:16
and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
Hebrews 12:2
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Bible points to the Cross as the place where Jesus atoned for our sins. The symbol of the Cross is central in Christianity and has been central since the first century.
I missed my Cross more than anything else when I was LDS. I was told over and over that the reason they did not Glory in the Cross was because it was a reminder of His Death instead of His Life. My disagreement with this is...the Cross is a remembrance of His Sacrifice. However, the Crucifix is a remembrance of His Death. And as a Christian, I do not Glory in the Crucifix; I Glory in the Cross!
Mormons do not Glory in the Cross. They have no crosses anywhere; not in their homes; not on their body; not in their temples; not in their books; nowhere.
From mormonwiki.org/Cross
Mormons typically do not want anything to do with the symbol of the cross, stating such things as, "If they had shot Jesus with a firing squad, would they hang a gun on the church?"
"Latter-day Saints object to the use of a cross on their buildings and the wearing of the cross. They view the symbolism of the cross as having a pagan origin and that it symbolizes Christ's torture and death, not his resurrection." (utlm.org)
This is a precarious position Mormons take, as they have no problem with various pentagrams on Mormon buildings.
- The sectarian world falsely suppose that the climax of his (Christ's) torture and suffering was on the cross...-a view which they keep ever before them by the constant use of the cross as a religious symbol. The fact is that intense and severe as the suffering was on the cross, yet the great pains were endured in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 555)
- Many who join the [Mormon] Church who come from a Catholic or Protestant background while trying their utmost to live the gospel, and rid themselves of past, unconsciously bring some of the customs of their former environment with them. One of these is the wearing of the crucifix on a necklace, bracelet, or in some other form. The teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seem to indicate that this is improper because we do not hold any special reverence for the cross as such, nor do we have crosses in our chapels or homes or wear a crucifix as jewelry." LDS "Prophet" Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, Vol. 4, p. 16.
- To many [Mormons]...such a custom is repugnant and contrary to the true worship of our Redeemer. Why should we bow down before a cross or use it as a symbol? Because our Savior died on the cross, the wearing of crosses is to most Latter-day Saints in very poor taste and inconsistent to our worship. Of all the ways ever invented for taking life and the execution of individuals, among the most cruel is likely the cross. This was a favorite method among the Romans who excelled in torture. We may be definitely sure that if our Lord had been killed with a dagger or with a sword, it would have been very strange indeed if religious people of this day would have graced such a weapon by wearing it and adoring it because it was by such a means that our Lord was put to death." LDS "Prophet" Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, Vol. 4, pp. 17-18.
Since the LDS church believes Christ's greatest suffering took place in the Garden, it minimizes the importance of the cross. Simply because Jesus lives forever more is no reason to minimize the means by which He paid for our sins. The Bible does not teach that the atonement began in the garden; it teaches that the atonement happened on the Cross.
1 Peter 2:24
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed.
I have been unable to grasp why the LDS church considers the Cross to be a graven image. However, they do not consider their monuments and statues honoring prophets and other figures to be graven images. Why is it okay to Glory in these idols, but it is not okay to Glory in the Cross? I disagree with this.
I have been asked several times...if Christ had died in a burning building, would you wear that around your neck or hang that on your wall. My answer is, YES, absolutely! Since He loves me enough to have died for me, then I love Him enough to Glory in Him! My Crosses are my security. The Cross reminds me of the Savior's Life, His Love for me, what He has done for me, and why He did what He did for me! I have a new infatuation with Crosses, and they are extremely comforting to me!
My unanswered question was:
Why does the LDS church glory in other things, but they do not Glory in the Cross as the Bible tells us we should?
I was initially devastated when I received this answer that I cannot be a part of an organization that chooses to not Glory in the Cross, yet overjoyed to find the truth that as Christians we are to Glory in the Cross, and I would be lost without The Cross!
Friday, August 12, 2011
FATE
Reason 17
The Bible says there is no chance of gaining salvation after earthly death. In other words, death seals man's fate.
Psalm 49:7-8
None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him-For the redemption of their souls is costly, And it shall cease forever-
Proverbs 11:7
When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, And the hope of the unjust perishes.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
Luke 16:26-31
And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.' "Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'"
Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed for me to die once, but after this the judgment,
Revelation 20:12 and 15
And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life.
And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
LDS doctrine is very contradictory when it comes to this subject. In one book called the book of Mormon, the doctrine agrees with the Bible and teaches that death seals man's fate.
Mosiah 2:36-39
And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved-I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God; therefore he listeth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore, the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in unholy temples. Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever. And now I say unto you, that mercy hath no claim on that man; therefore his final doom is to endure a never-ending torment.
Alma 34:32-35
For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world. For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked.
However, in another book called the doctrine and covenants, the doctrine teaches that everyone will have a second chance after death. This is one reason for the temple; those who were not Mormon on earth will die and go to spirit prison. The living LDS members do proxy work (baptism, etc.) in the temple for those who have already died. Once the dead have had their temple work completed by a living Mormon, they now have a chance to choose the LDS doctrines and transfer over to paradise with all the other worthy mormons. In other words, we will all be given a second chance to choose mormonism after we die.
D&C 76:106-112
These are they who are cast down to hell and suffer the wrath of Almighty God, until the fulness of times, when Christ shall have subdued all enemies under his feet, and shall have perfected his work; When he shall deliver up the kingdom, and present it unto the Father, spotless, saying: I have overcome and have trodden the wine-press alone, even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God. Then shall he be crowned with the crown of his glory, to sit on the throne of his power to reign forever and ever. But behold, and lo, we saw the glory and the inhabitants of the telestial world, that they were as innumerable as the stars in the firmament of heaven, or as the sand upon the seashore; And heard the voice of the Lord saying: These all shall bow the knee, and every tongue shall confess to him who sits upon the throne forever and ever; For they shall be judged according to their works, and every man shall receive according to his own works, his own dominion, in the mansions which are prepared; And they shall be servants of the Most High; but where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end.
D&C 88:99
And after this another angel shall sound, which is the second trump; and then cometh the redemption of those who are Christ's at his coming; who have received their part in that prison which is prepared for them, that they might receive the gospel, and be judged according to men in the flesh.
I fear Mormons will be in for a surprise when they die and realize Joseph Smith deceived them, they don't get a second chance, nor will their family members get a second chance, even though they did the temple work for them...
I will go with the Bible on this one and put my entire Faith and Trust into Christ instead of a church or modern day prophet. I am going to live my life as if I have no second chance. I would rather fall away from the 'one true church' and end up in the 'second level of heaven' than remain in the 'one true church' and take a chance that it could be false.
The Bible is very clear that we will all end up in one of only two places; Everlasting Punishment or Eternal Life. We have no other option and no other chance; it's Heaven, or it's Hell.
2 Thessalonians 1:9
These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
The Bible is also very clear that people do not get out of Hell, and the LDS doctrines are contradictory to this as well.
Revelation 21:8
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Matthew 13:24-43
The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."'"
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."
The Parable of the Leaven
Another parable He spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."
Prophecy and the Parables
All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world."
The Parable of the Tares Explained
Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
Matthew 13:47-50 The Parable of the Dragnet
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."
According to LDS doctrines, Hell as an institution is eternal, but those in Hell serve sentences of various length, similar to those in a prison. Inmates come and go as in jail, but do not spend eternity there. It is temporary. Most of them will eventually leave Hell once their debt has been paid to God and they will then go to the telestial kingdom. (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 349-351)
*And this is also contradictory to what the Bible says about Hell.
Matthew 25:46, one of the clearest Bible Verses there is.
And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
My unanswered question was:
Why would I take a chance at living my life as if I may have a second chance after I have died?
I was initially devastated when I received this answer that I cannot take this chance, yet overjoyed to find the truth that I will receive Eternal Life!
The Bible says there is no chance of gaining salvation after earthly death. In other words, death seals man's fate.
Psalm 49:7-8
None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him-For the redemption of their souls is costly, And it shall cease forever-
Proverbs 11:7
When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, And the hope of the unjust perishes.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
Luke 16:26-31
And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.' "Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'"
Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed for me to die once, but after this the judgment,
Revelation 20:12 and 15
And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life.
And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
LDS doctrine is very contradictory when it comes to this subject. In one book called the book of Mormon, the doctrine agrees with the Bible and teaches that death seals man's fate.
Mosiah 2:36-39
And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved-I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God; therefore he listeth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore, the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in unholy temples. Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever. And now I say unto you, that mercy hath no claim on that man; therefore his final doom is to endure a never-ending torment.
Alma 34:32-35
For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world. For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked.
However, in another book called the doctrine and covenants, the doctrine teaches that everyone will have a second chance after death. This is one reason for the temple; those who were not Mormon on earth will die and go to spirit prison. The living LDS members do proxy work (baptism, etc.) in the temple for those who have already died. Once the dead have had their temple work completed by a living Mormon, they now have a chance to choose the LDS doctrines and transfer over to paradise with all the other worthy mormons. In other words, we will all be given a second chance to choose mormonism after we die.
D&C 76:106-112
These are they who are cast down to hell and suffer the wrath of Almighty God, until the fulness of times, when Christ shall have subdued all enemies under his feet, and shall have perfected his work; When he shall deliver up the kingdom, and present it unto the Father, spotless, saying: I have overcome and have trodden the wine-press alone, even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God. Then shall he be crowned with the crown of his glory, to sit on the throne of his power to reign forever and ever. But behold, and lo, we saw the glory and the inhabitants of the telestial world, that they were as innumerable as the stars in the firmament of heaven, or as the sand upon the seashore; And heard the voice of the Lord saying: These all shall bow the knee, and every tongue shall confess to him who sits upon the throne forever and ever; For they shall be judged according to their works, and every man shall receive according to his own works, his own dominion, in the mansions which are prepared; And they shall be servants of the Most High; but where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end.
D&C 88:99
And after this another angel shall sound, which is the second trump; and then cometh the redemption of those who are Christ's at his coming; who have received their part in that prison which is prepared for them, that they might receive the gospel, and be judged according to men in the flesh.
I fear Mormons will be in for a surprise when they die and realize Joseph Smith deceived them, they don't get a second chance, nor will their family members get a second chance, even though they did the temple work for them...
I will go with the Bible on this one and put my entire Faith and Trust into Christ instead of a church or modern day prophet. I am going to live my life as if I have no second chance. I would rather fall away from the 'one true church' and end up in the 'second level of heaven' than remain in the 'one true church' and take a chance that it could be false.
The Bible is very clear that we will all end up in one of only two places; Everlasting Punishment or Eternal Life. We have no other option and no other chance; it's Heaven, or it's Hell.
2 Thessalonians 1:9
These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
The Bible is also very clear that people do not get out of Hell, and the LDS doctrines are contradictory to this as well.
Revelation 21:8
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Matthew 13:24-43
The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."'"
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."
The Parable of the Leaven
Another parable He spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."
Prophecy and the Parables
All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world."
The Parable of the Tares Explained
Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
Matthew 13:47-50 The Parable of the Dragnet
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."
According to LDS doctrines, Hell as an institution is eternal, but those in Hell serve sentences of various length, similar to those in a prison. Inmates come and go as in jail, but do not spend eternity there. It is temporary. Most of them will eventually leave Hell once their debt has been paid to God and they will then go to the telestial kingdom. (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 349-351)
*And this is also contradictory to what the Bible says about Hell.
Matthew 25:46, one of the clearest Bible Verses there is.
And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
My unanswered question was:
Why would I take a chance at living my life as if I may have a second chance after I have died?
I was initially devastated when I received this answer that I cannot take this chance, yet overjoyed to find the truth that I will receive Eternal Life!
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