Expert: Brenda Martin - 12/30/2009

Question
QUESTION: Brenda,

Regarding a recent post (25 Nov) about the legacy we inherited from Adam you wrote,

“The apostle Paul explained it this way:
    “Through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned.”—Rom. 5:12.

“A basic reason for failure to achieve a just world is the blemish we have inherited from our first parents, Adam and Eve.”

”However all is not lost :) God intends to bring about a just world, “

You articulate that the present man-made governments under human ruler-ship consisting of a society of people who make themselves a part of this wicked system of things will come to a permanent end and be replaced with the indefinite Kingdom of Jesus made up of true servants of God who hate wickedness and love righteousness and justice and that, “Now is the time to prepare for life in that just world by learning what God requires of us.”

No dispute. The legacy Adam left us of ‘sin’ and ‘death’ is ‘imperfect’.

If I understand you correctly, the only difference between the unjust world we live in to-day and the just world of God’s Kingdom is simply the removal of all wicked governments and, possibly by inference, I assume you include all those who align themselves with such governments.

This explanation does not address how we as individuals who love righteousness execrate ourselves from our inheritance of sin and death.

It would seem, by virtue of the fact that we live in the Kingdom of God, we have somehow lost the inheritance we received from Adam.

Question –
    Are you condemned because you live in an unjust world of wicked human rulers or because you inherited sin and death from Adam?

Continuing with your quote from the apostle Paul, he went on to explain that the nature we inherited is changed from ‘condemnation’ (through one man) to ‘justification’ (through one man) Jesus.

    “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also [is] the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, [which is] by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as [it was] by one that sinned, [so is] the gift: for the judgment [was] by one to condemnation, but the free gift [is] of many offences unto justification. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” (Romans 5:14-19)

Question –
    “By our nature we are children of wrath” (Eph 2:3). “Flesh”, “darkness”, “bondage”, “dead” are all used to describe our nature.
    Can a government (or kingdom) change our nature to “peace”, “spirit”, “light”, “free”, “alive”?
    Are you made a ‘new creature’ because of the ‘government’ that rules over you?

    “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor 5:17-21)

It is our sin that separates us from our relationship with God (Is 59:2) NOT living under wicked ‘governments’ in an unjust world.

Our relationship with God is only restored through Jesus by the removal of sin. It is not a ‘new heavens’ and ‘new earth’ that reconciles us to God.

Case in point
There were no ‘wicked’ ‘worldly governments’ or 'societies' at the time God walked with Adam in the garden.

The only King Adam knew was God.
The only Kingdom Adam lived in was God’s.

Adam’s problem was obviously NOT the Kingdom that ruled over him.
Therefore, the solution to Adam’s problem is obviously NOT the ‘Kingdom’ that rules over him.

Adam had a great advantage over you. When he stepped out of the garden there were no wicked societies, or governments he had to shun.

Question –
    With no society, government, or kingdom on the earth other than God’s, what prevented Adam from ‘living in the kingdom of God’?
It was obviously not a matter of shunning all others… there were no others!

respectfully,
Scott


ANSWER: HI Scott, you said--"THE REMOVAL OF WICKED GOVERNMENTS AND THOSE WHO ALIGN THEMSELVES WITH SUCH GOVERNMENTS, DOES NOT RID US OF OUR INHERITANCE OF SIN AND DEATH?"

The Kingdom of God will replace all earthly governments & it will rule for a period of one thousand years. During that time Jesus Christ and the members of his heavenly government will serve not only as kings but also as priests of God on behalf of all their human subjects. (Revelation 20:6) Why?

Because all persons on earth will need to be “set free from enslavement to corruption” in order to have “the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Romans 8:21) Even after the wicked have been destroyed, the earthly survivors will still be imperfect due to sin inherited from Adam. The wrong desires of their imperfect flesh will still be warring against the right desires of mind and heart. (Romans 7:21-23) So, to be accepted fully into God’s family of sons, they first need the services of the heavenly priests of God. What will these do?

They will have a power that has been lacking in all human governments till now: the power to cleanse persons of sin and imperfection. This power rests in God’s heavenly priesthood by means of Jesus’ ransom sacrifice. God’s Son and his associate priests will then apply the benefits of Jesus’ sacrifice directly to all obedient ones. (John 1:29; 1 John 2:2) This provision is pictured in the Bible by the symbolic “river of water of life” that flows from the “throne of God and of the Lamb” and “the leaves of the trees . . . for the curing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:1, 2) By making continual progress in righteousness and with the help of the heavenly priesthood, they will progressively grow young and strong, until they reach perfection of health in mind and body. They will be set completely free from the bondage to sin and death inherited from Adam.—John 11:26.

In this way, God will “wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be any more. The former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) How marvelous it will be to enjoy perfect health! Even as God’s Son cured lepers and healed the lame and blind when on earth, so his righteous rule will bring an end to all disease and suffering. (Mark 1:40-42; John 5:5-9; Matthew 9:35) Gone then will be the need for hospitals and health insurance! With sickness and death removed, a worldwide cause for tears will be gone. (1 Corinthians 15:25, 26) How wonderful it will be to enjoy full freedom from sin, and to be able to measure up perfectly to God’s righteous standards in speech, thought and conduct!

(ROMANS 5:14-19)--“BY OUR NATURE WE ARE CHILDREN OF WRATH” (EPH 2:3). A CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT DOESN’T CHANGE OUR NATURE".

As Ruler of God’s Kingdom, Jesus will undo all such problems caused by Satan. According to the Bible, God’s Kingdom “will crush and put an end to all” oppressive governments of this world. (Daniel 2:44) At that time, in answer to the prayer Jesus taught his followers, God’s “will” is to “be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9, 10, Today’s English Version) In God’s new world, after the earth has been cleansed of all badness, the benefits of Jesus’ ransom will be applied fully, all who qualify will be restored to perfect health! No longer will we be “children of wrath”

(2 COR 5:17-21)--IT IS OUR SIN THAT SEPARATES US FROM OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD (IS 59:2)

All humans who exercise faith in the ransom can become reconciled to God. (John 3:36) The perfect man Jesus was the sin offering for all of Adam’s offspring who are delivered from inherent sinfulness. They become “God’s righteousness” by means of Jesus. During his Thousand Year Reign, a righteous standing as perfect humans will come to the earthly children of the Eternal Father, Jesus Christ. He will uplift them to a righteous standing in perfection so that they may prove faithful to God and receive the gift of everlasting life.—Isaiah 9:6; Revelation 14:1; 20:4-6, 11-15.

OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS ONLY RESTORED THROUGH JESUS BY THE REMOVAL OF SIN. IT IS NOT A ‘NEW HEAVENS’ AND ‘NEW EARTH’ THAT RECONCILES US TO GOD.

He will accomplish the “removal of sin” & a “reconciliation” by establishing a new order of righteousness. Describing that time, which the evidence shows will shortly be here, Revelation 21:4 says: “And [God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” A similar prophecy in Isaiah 65:17 states: “For here I am creating new heavens and a new earth”

The “new heavens” are; God’s heavenly Kingdom in the hands of Jesus Christ, as High Priest & king of that Kingdom he will remove sin & reconcile mankind to God during his thousand year reign.

If Adam hadn’t sinned he would be alive today living under God’s rule, but as we know he sinned & so God then added the Kingdom arrangement to his original plan (Gen 3;15) this Kingdom or “new heavens” will be instrumental in bringing about God’s original purpose for mankind, that of living forever on a paradise earth, once sin is removed during the thousand year reign.

I’m happy to answer any further questions this answer may have raised.

All the best
Brenda





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Brenda,

Question:
If “all such problems caused by Satan” are not “undone” until Jesus is made ‘Ruler of God’s Kingdom’ on earth,
Why did Jesus prevent the people from making Him king (John 6:15)?

Question:
With no other kingdom to belong to,
Why was Adam NOT allowed in God’s kingdom?

Jesus had to take care of a problem BEFORE He established His Kingdom.
It’s the SAME problem Adam faced which prevented him from returning to the garden in Eden. (Is 59:2; 1 Cor. 15:50)

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear. (Is 59:2)
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (1 Cor. 15:50)

In your zeal to refute my statements you never got around to addressing any of my questions.

As you know this Q & A format is not suited for debate. I really don’t have the prerogative to argue whether a particular verse actually means what it says or not. I believe the Bible is inspired of God and that God is not a God of confusion. I take the Bible at its word without interpreting it to ‘mean’ something it does not say. The intent of my questions was not to be indoctrinated into your religion. Please, simply answer the question.

To eliminate the temptation to debate I’ll make NO comments, only quote the Bible, and try and confine the rest of the questions to a simple YES or NO.

Re: Reconciliation and freedom from wrath

Brenda wrote:
AFTER THE EARTH HAS BEEN CLEANSED of all badness, the benefits of Jesus’ ransom will be applied fully, ALL WHO QUALIFY will be restored to perfect health! No longer will we be “children of wrath”
HE WILL ACCOMPLISH THE “REMOVAL OF SIN” & A “RECONCILIATION” BY ESTABLISHING A NEW ORDER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Paul wrote:
“Being now justified by his blood, WE SHALL be saved from wrath through him.”
“WE WERE RECONCILED TO GOD by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
“By whom WE HAVE NOW RECEIVED the atonement.”
“Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life.”
“For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

Question:
Have the benefits of Jesus’ sacrifice (‘justification’, ‘reconciliation’, ‘sin removal’, ‘atonement’, ‘righteousness’, cancellation of ‘condemnation’ and deliverance from ‘wrath’) NOT been applied to YOU?

Brenda wrote:
All humans who exercise faith in the ransom CAN BECOME RECONCILED TO GOD. (John 3:36)

John wrote:
“HE that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)
“God has given to US eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that has the Son hath life.”
“I have written these things to YOU who believe on the Name of the Son of God that YOU may KNOW that YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.”

Paul wrote:
“WE WERE RECONCILED TO GOD by the death of His Son.” (ibid)

Question:
Have YOU NOT been reconciled to God by the death of His Son?

(Rom 5:6-19)
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, BEING NOW JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, WE WERE RECONCILED TO GOD BY THE DEATH OF HIS SON, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, BY WHOM WE HAVE NOW RECEIVED THE ATONEMENT. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also [is] the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, [which is] by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as [it was] by one that sinned, [so is] the gift: for the judgment [was] by one to condemnation, but the free gift [is] of many offences unto justification. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) THEREFORE AS BY THE OFFENCE OF ONE [JUDGMENT CAME] UPON ALL MEN TO CONDEMNATION; EVEN SO BY THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF ONE [THE FREE GIFT CAME] UPON ALL MEN UNTO JUSTIFICATION OF LIFE. FOR AS BY ONE MAN'S DISOBEDIENCE MANY WERE MADE SINNERS, SO BY THE OBEDIENCE OF ONE SHALL MANY BE MADE RIGHTEOUS.”

(1 John 5:11-13)
And this is the record, that GOD HATH GIVEN TO US ETERNAL LIFE, AND THIS LIFE IS IN HIS SON. HE THAT HATH THE SON HATH LIFE; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Re: Function of the priests of Rev 20:6

Brenda wrote:
THEY [the heavenly priests of God] WILL HAVE THE POWER TO CLEANSE PERSONS OF SIN and imperfection. This power rests in God’s heavenly priesthood.

Paul wrote:
“There is ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN”
“WE are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus.”
“AFTER He [Jesus] had offered ONE sacrifice for sins FOREVER, SAT DOWN.”
“By ONE offering [His body] He HAS PERFECTED FOREVER those who are sanctified.”

Jesus said:
“It is FINISHED.”

Question:
Do YOU have NEED of a priest (other than Jesus the High Priest) to offer a sacrifice (other than Jesus’ ‘once’ ‘forever’ sacrifice of Himself) in order to ‘cleans YOU from sin’?

(1Tim 2:5 )
“For [there is] one God, and ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD and men, the man Christ Jesus;”

(Heb 10:10-14)
"By the which will WE ARE SANCTIFIED THROUGH THE OFFERING OF THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST ONCE [for all]. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, AFTER HE HAD OFFERED ONE SACRIFICE FOR SINS FOR EVER, SAT DOWN on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. FOR BY ONE OFFERING HE HATH PERFECTED FOR EVER THEM THAT ARE SANCTIFIED.

(John 19:30)
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, IT IS FINISHED: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Re: Becoming accepted as a child of God

Brenda wrote:
Because all persons on earth WILL NEED TO BE “set free from enslavement to corruption” in order to have “the glorious freedom of the children of God.”
To BE ACCEPTED FULLY into God’s family of sons, THEY FIRST NEED the services of the heavenly priests of God.
AFTER THE EARTH HAS BEEN CLEANSED of all badness, the benefits of Jesus’ ransom will be applied fully, ALL WHO QUALIFY will be restored to perfect health! No longer will we be “children of wrath”

Paul wrote:
“YOU were dead in sins”
“YOU walked as children of disobedience according to the prince of the power of the air.
“WE were by nature the children of wrath.”
“God sent His Son to redeem US, that WE might receive the adoption of sons.”
“Because WE are sons, He has sent the Spirit of His Son into OUR hearts.”
“WE are NOT of the flesh IF the Spirit of God Dwells IN US.”
“Although our body continues in death because of sin, our Spirit is alive because of righteousness, IF Christ is in US.

Question:
Since the earth has not been ‘cleansed of all badness’ and the Kingdom has not been established for the ‘heavenly priests of God’ to ‘serve’ yet,
Are YOU STILL a child of disobedience and wrath dead in your sins under the spirit of bondage waking according to the prince of the power of the air?
Or instead,
Has He sent the Spirit of His Son into YOUR heart to bear witness that you are a child of God?
Does the Spirit of God dwell IN YOU?

Eph 2:1-6
And YOU [hath he quickened], who WERE DEAD IN TRESPASSES AND SINS; Wherein in time past YE WALKED according to the course of this world, ACCORDING TO THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, the SPIRIT THAT NOW WORKETH IN THE CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and WERE BY NATURE THE CHILDREN OF WRATH, EVEN as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN SINS, HATH QUICKENED US TOGETHER WITH CHRIST, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:

Gal 4:4-7
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And BECAUSE YE ARE SONS, GOD HATH SENT FORTH THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON INTO YOUR HEARTS, CRYING, ABBA, FATHER. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Rom 8:8-16
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. But IF THE SPIRIT OF HIM THAT RAISED UP JESUS FROM THE DEAD DWELL IN YOU, HE THAT RAISED UP CHRIST FROM THE DEAD SHALL ALSO QUICKEN YOUR MORTAL BODIES BY HIS SPIRIT THAT DWELLETH IN YOU. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. FOR YE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF BONDAGE AGAIN TO FEAR; BUT YE HAVE RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION, WHEREBY WE CRY, ABBA, FATHER. THE SPIRIT ITSELF BEARETH WITNESS WITH OUR SPIRIT, THAT WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD:

Re: What removes sin and when is it removed (forgiven)

Brenda:
As Ruler of God’s Kingdom, Jesus will undo all such problems caused by Satan.
He will accomplish the “removal of sin” & a “reconciliation” by establishing a new order of righteousness.

Jesus said:
“My blood is shed for the remission of sin”

John (Jesus’ cousin) said:
“Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the World.”

Paul wrote:
“The Father has delivered US from the power of darkness and made US partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in Light.”
“WE have redemption (the forgiveness of sins) through His [Jesus] blood”
“The Father has translated US into the Kingdom of His Son”

Question:
Did Jesus ‘undo’ our ‘problem’ of ‘sin’ as a ‘Sacrificed Lamb’ or a ‘Conquering King’?
Are sins forgiven through His ‘blood’ or His ‘Kingdom’?
Are YOU WAITING for Jesus to rule in His Kingdom BEFORE YOU are forgiven of your sins, delivered from Darkness and reconciled to God?
Have YOU NOT already been translated into the Kingdom of His Son?

Mt 26:26-29
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed [it], and brake [it], and gave [it] to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave [it] to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; FOR THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, WHICH IS SHED FOR MANY FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

John 1:29
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the LAMB of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Col 1:12-14
Giving thanks unto the FATHER, WHICH HATH MADE US MEET TO BE PARTAKERS OF THE INHERITANCE OF THE SAINTS IN LIGHT: Who HATH DELIVERED US FROM THE POWER OF DARKNESS, AND HATH TRANSLATED [US] INTO THE KINGDOM OF HIS DEAR SON: IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, [EVEN] THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS:

All Bible quotes are from the King James.

Conclusion:
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (1 Cor. 15:50)

We became ‘corrupt’ because of what we inherited from Adam. To ‘inherit’ the Kingdom of God, we need to become ‘incorrupt’.

“And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness.” (Rom 8:10)

Because God sent the Spirit of Christ into my heart, my body is dead (and made ‘corrupt’) because of sin (which I inherited from Adam); but my Spirit is alive (and made ‘incorrupt’) because of righteousness (which I inherited from Jesus) and has already been translated into God’s Kingdom.

Scott


Answer
"WHY DID JESUS PREVENT THE PEOPLE FROM MAKING HIM KING (JOHN 6:15)?"

Jesus would not consider such a thing; he would only accept kingship in God’s time and way.

Jesus focused on preaching about God’s Kingdom, the FUTURE heavenly government of which he was the prospective King as foretold by- Daniel & many other prophets. (Daniel 7:13, 14; Luke 4:43; 17:20, 21)

Thus, when before Roman Governor Pontius Pilate, Jesus could say: “My kingdom is no part of this world.” (John 18:36)

"WHY WAS ADAM NOT ALLOWED IN GOD’S KINGDOM?"

God’s Kingdom is heavenly, Adam was to live forever on EARTH, had he not sinned he would be alive today, but not in heaven, on the EARTH.

“Be fruitful and become many and fill the EARTH and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving upon the earth.”—Genesis 1:26-28; 2:8, 9, 15.
   
“WE SHALL BE SAVED, “WE WERE RECONCILED TO GOD, WE HAVE NOW RECEIVED THE ATONEMENT.”

Yes this is Pauls words; Jehovah God has ‘declared righteous’ those whom he selected to become his spiritual sons; they were now persons fully reconciled to, and at peace with, God.—Ac 13:38, 39; Ro 5:9, 10; 8:33.

However Paul also explains that this reconciliation involves TWO distinct groups of individuals, namely, “the things in the heavens” and “the things upon the earth.” (Colossians 1:19, 20; Ephesians 1:10)

"HAVE THE BENEFITS OF JESUS’ SACRIFICE NOT BEEN APPLIED TO YOU?"

Yes; we do not have to wait until the future to enjoy the benefits of the ransom. JW’s have already “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Because they exercise faith in the ransom, they are even now receiving spiritual benefits from that loving provision. They have been declared righteous as God’s friends! (James 2:23)

As a result of Jesus’ sacrifice, they can “approach with freeness of speech to the throne of undeserved kindness.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

When they err, they receive real forgiveness. (Ephesians 1:7) In spite of being imperfect, they enjoy a cleansed conscience. (Hebrews 9:9; 10:22; 1 Peter 3:21)

Being reconciled to God is not some hoped-for development, but a present reality! (2 Corinthians 5:19, 20) During the Millennium, they will gradually “be set free from enslavement to corruption” and will finally “have the glorious freedom of the children of God.”—Romans 8:21.

(JOHN 3:36) “GOD HAS GIVEN TO US ETERNAL LIFE..YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.”

Many insist that the Scriptures say: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” (John 3:36, King James Version) Therefore, they conclude that once you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savoir, you can never again be lost. “Once saved, always saved” is their watchword. But is that what the Scriptures really say? To answer this, we need to consider everything the Bible says on the subject. We would not want to ‘deceive ourselves with false reasoning’ by reading only selected parts of God’s Word.

Notice the inspired warning of the disciple Jude. He wrote: “Beloved ones, though I was making every effort to write you about the salvation we hold in common, I found it necessary to write you to exhort you to put up a hard fight for the faith that was once for all time delivered to the holy ones.” (Jude 3) Why did Jude write this? Because he knew that individual Christians could still lose the ‘salvation they hold in common.’ He went on to say: “I desire to remind you . . . that Jehovah, although he saved a people [the Israelites] out of the land of Egypt, afterwards destroyed those not showing faith.”—Jude 5.

There are various things involved in getting saved. We must take in accurate knowledge of God’s purposes and his way of salvation. Then we must exercise faith in the Chief Agent of salvation, Jesus Christ, and do God’s will the rest of our lives. (John 3:16; Titus 2:14) Salvation is sure for those who follow this course. But it involves persevering right to the end of our present life or of this system of things. Only “he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved.”—Matthew 24:13.

REV 20:6--“THERE IS ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN” “BY ONE OFFERING HE HAS PERFECTED FOREVER

Yes I agree there is one mediator that goes without question, but nevertheless the bible speaks of “joints heirs with Christ”

“We are also heirs: heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ,..” (Romans 8; 17) God has put the Kingdom in the hands of Jesus Christ, the one best qualified to rule the earth. Jehovah has also purposed that 144,000 anointed Christians be taken from the earth and raised to heavenly life as Christ’s “joint heirs” associated with him in administering earth’s affairs. (Rev. 14:1-5)
 
"DO YOU HAVE NEED OF A PRIEST (OTHER THAN JESUS THE HIGH PRIEST)?"

It’s not a matter of “need”, it’s a matter of fact; the bible tells us there will be “priests” with Jesus in his heavenly Kingdom.

PAUL looked forward to becoming a king and PRIEST in the heavenly Kingdom government.—John 3:3; 1 Peter 2:9.

The apostle JOHN declared: “Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be PRIESTS of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4, 6; 14:1, 3)

PETER-- “But you are ‘a chosen race, a royal PRIESTHOOD a holy nation, a people for special possession.’”—1Pe 2:7-9.

Jesus Christ is their great High Priest, and ones like Paul, John & Peter make up the under-priesthood. (Heb 3:1; 8:1) FACT.

(HEB 10:10-14)

When Christ returned to heaven after his resurrection, he did not start ruling then as King of God’s government. Rather, there was to be a time of waiting, as the apostle Paul explains: “This man [Jesus Christ] offered one sacrifice for sins perpetually and sat down at the right hand of God, from then on awaiting until his enemies should be placed as a stool for his feet.” (Hebrews 10:12, 13) When the time came for Christ to begin to rule, Jehovah told him: “Go subduing [or, conquering] in the midst of your enemies.”—Psalm 110:1, 2, 5, 6.

(JOHN 19:30)  IT IS FINISHED

What was finished or accomplished? -While Jesus achieved many things by his life and death, was it not primarily for settling the issue of Jehovah’s sovereignty that Jesus came to earth? And was it not foretold that as the “seed,” he would suffer the extreme test at Satan’s hands so as to clear Jehovah’s name of all reproach? (Isaiah 53:3-7) These were weighty responsibilities, yet Jesus fulfilled them in every respect. What an accomplishment! He had remained steadfast and had proved his integrity in upholding Jehovah’s sovereignty. Everything Jehovah had sent him to earth to do he had accomplished.

SINCE THE EARTH HAS NOT BEEN ‘CLEANSED OF ALL BADNESS’ AND THE KINGDOM HAS NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR THE ‘HEAVENLY PRIESTS OF GOD’ TO ‘SERVE’ YET, ARE YOU STILL A CHILD OF DISOBEDIENCE AND WRATH DEAD IN YOUR SINS UNDER THE SPIRIT OF BONDAGE WAKING ACCORDING TO THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR?

Since Jesus said--“He that hears my word and believes him that sent me has passed over from death to life.” The answer is of course no.

Jesus is speaking about those who were once spiritually dead but who upon hearing his words put faith in him and discontinue walking in their sinful course. They ‘pass over from death to life’ in that the condemnation of death is lifted from them, and they are given the hope of everlasting life because of their faith in God.—1 Pet. 4:3-6.

HAS HE SENT THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON INTO YOUR HEART TO BEAR WITNESS THAT YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD?

No, as I am not one of the heavenly class; just like John the baptiser & King David I am not going to heaven, so do not need to be anointed with spirit or born again.

Regarding John the baptizer, Jehovah’s angel said: “He will be FILLED WITH HOLY SPIRIT right from his mother’s womb.” (Luke 1:15) And Jesus later said: “Among those born of women there has not been raised up a greater than John the Baptist; but a person that is a lesser one in the kingdom of the heavens is greater than he is [Why? Because John will not be in the heavens and so there was no need for him to be “born again”]. But from the days of John the Baptist until now [when Jesus stated this] the kingdom of the heavens is the goal toward which men press.”—Matt. 11:11, 12.

The spirit of Jehovah was “operative” upon David and “spoke” by him (1 Sam. 16:13; 2 Sam. 23:2), but nowhere does the Bible say that he was “born again.” There was no need for him to be “born again,” because, as Acts 2:34 says: “David did not ascend to the heavens.”
So yes I have Jehovah’s spirit, but I am not anointed.

EPH 2:1-6

Anointed Christians are brought forth, or born again, by the holy spirit to become Jehovah’s spiritual sons. (John 1:12, 13; 3:5-7) Being adopted by Jehovah as “sons,” they become Jesus’ brothers. (Romans 8:15; Ephesians 1:5) As such, even while on earth, they are said to be ‘raised up and seated together in the heavenly places in union with Christ Jesus.’ (Ephesians 1:3; 2:6) They occupy this elevated spiritual position because they have been “sealed with the promised holy spirit, which is a token in advance of [their] inheritance” reserved for them in the heavens. (Ephesians 1:13, 14; Colossians 1:5) These, then, are “the things in the heavens,” of whom the total number foreordained by Jehovah needed to be gathered.

GAL 4:4-7

Again speaking of the heavenly group--Through purchase by means of Christ Jesus, they receive the adoption as sons and also become heirs with Christ, the only-begotten Son of God. (Ga 4:1-7; Ro 8:14-17) their full realization of this privilege as spirit sons of God is dependent on their ultimate faithfulness. (Ro 8:17; Re 21:7) Thus, Paul speaks of them as “earnestly WAITING for adoption as sons, the release from our bodies by ransom.”—Ro 8:23.

ROM 8:8-16

The apostle Paul shows how: “For all who are led by God’s spirit, these are God’s sons . . . God’s children.” (Romans 8:14, 16) They were now accepted as part of God’s heavenly family.
And there was more. Paul explains again: “If, then, we are children, we are also heirs: heirs indeed of God, but JOINT HEIRS with Christ.” (Romans 8:17) These spiritual sons of God now had the prospect of inheriting what Christ Jesus was going to inherit—kingly power in heaven.
Jesus revealed to the apostle John the number of persons who would be co-rulers with him over the earth—144,000. (Revelation 7:4; 14:1-3) Then he went on to show John that these favoured disciples “will be PRIESTS of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years.”—Revelation 20:6.

DID JESUS ‘UNDO’ OUR ‘PROBLEM’ OF ‘SIN’ AS A ‘SACRIFICED LAMB’ OR A ‘CONQUERING KING’?

Jesus is “the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

Jesus, like a sacrificial lamb, was to ‘take sin away’ and bring about a reversal of the sad state of human affairs. If we continue loyally following Christ, we will be granted a blessing so wonderful that it is hard even to imagine—“the glorious freedom of the children of God”! (Romans 8:21) We will have all the blessings that Adam and Eve had and lost. Earthly sons and daughters of Jehovah, we will be forever free of the stain of Adam’s sin, “death will be no more.”—Revelation 21:4.

So both is the answer; we can approach Jehovah freely & ask for forgiveness on the basis of Jesus sacrifice, & enjoy a clean conscience even now, & in the future Jesus will completely undo sin (as in there will be no more sickness or death) when he is King of God’s heavenly Kingdom.

ARE SINS FORGIVEN THROUGH HIS ‘BLOOD’ OR HIS ‘KINGDOM’?

We can have our sins forgiven. But something is required of us. Since we have been purchased, yes, “bought with a price” by Christ’s ransom, we must be willing to accept Jesus as our Lord or Owner and obey him. (1 Corinthians 6:11, 20; Hebrews 5:9) Consequently, we need to repent of our sins and to couple this with faith in the sacrifice of Jesus our Lord. If we do so, we do not have to wait for forgiveness until God relieves mankind of all the effects of sin, putting an end to sickness and death. The Scriptures speak of this forgiveness as something that we can enjoy right now, resulting in a clean conscience before God.—1 John 2:12.
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So basically you are a “born again” Christian? That’s fine; now let me ask you, where these scriptures fit in with your belief—

Matt. 6:10: “Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon EARTH.”

Ps. 37:29: “The righteous themselves will possess the EARTH, and they will reside forever upon it.”

Rev. 11:17, 18: “We thank you, Jehovah God, the Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and begun ruling as king. But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time . . . to bring to ruin those ruining the EARTH.”

Isa. 45:18: “This is what Jehovah has said, the Creator of the heavens, He the true God, the Former of the earth and the Maker of it, He the One who firmly established it, who did not create it simply for nothing, who formed it even to be inhabited: ‘I am Jehovah, and there is no one else.’” (See also Isaiah 55:10, 11.)

Ps. 37:9, 11: “Those hoping in Jehovah are the ones that will possess the EARTH. . . . The meek ones themselves will possess the EARTH, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.”

“In his days the righteous one will sprout, and the abundance of peace until the moon is no more. And he (Jesus) will have subjects from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.”—Psalm 72:7, 8.

He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the EARTH.”—Psalm 46:8, 9.

“As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it.”—Proverbs 2:22.

“There are new heavens and a new EARTH that we are awaiting according to [God’s] promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.”—2 Peter 3:13; Isaiah 65:17; 66:22.

I agree with you that some people will go to heaven to be with Jesus, but do YOU know what they will do there & why?

All the best
Brenda