Gentiles nor the Church is "spiritual Israel".

For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. / ROMANS 2:28-29

Consider the reading and context of Romans chapter 1-3 first and foremost. Nonetheless, Romans chapter 2 Verses 1-11 is in reference to God showing no partiality - to the Jew first, then to the Gentile regarding those who not only practice such evil things (1:22-23) as deserving to die, but also give approval to others who likewise practice them. In that, everyone who judges another; have no excuse - for in passing judgement on another they only condemn themselves. And those who practice such evil deeds will not escape the judgement of God; storing up wrath against themselves on the day of God's wrath. In light of this fact, God will render to each one according to their works - to the Jew first then to the Gentile. 

The Immediate Context:

(1) Verses 12-13 is in regards to both groups; JEW AND GENTILE.

(2) Verse 14-16 is in regards to the GENTILES.

(3) Verse 17 is the transition from Gentile to JEW. From verse 17 to 25; Paul is addressing Jews - only to point out their hypocrisy in regards to the Law.

(4) Verses 26-27 Paul makes the transition from Jew back to Gentile only to contrast the uncircumcised Gentile who keeps the Law against the circumcised Jew who doesn't in light of their hypocrisy.

(5) Verses 28-29 - Paul is clarifying to the Jew ONLY that - the only ethnic Jew (not Gentile) who's praise is from God is a ethnic Jew who's heart has been spiritually circumcised by the Spirit. Paul is NOT saying that Gentiles are considered to be (spiritual) Jews nor Israel just because they too may be circumcised in heart as well. Paul has already made the claim that the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because as a Jew they were considered hypocrites as to preach to others (the Gentiles) concerning the Law and their disobedience to it but in fact they were dishonoring God. From verses 17-29 Paul was rebuking the Jews for the hypocrisy in regards to the Law and their boast in physical circumcision. In fact, Paul continues to address the Jews (not Gentiles) in Chapter 3 going forth. The only reason Paul introduced the Gentiles in verses 14-27 is to rebuke the Jews for their confidence in the Law and circumcision of flesh only; as to be made right with God. The Gentiles are NOT "spiritual" Israel. Nor is the Church considered  to be "spiritual Israel". Such an interpretation is being read into the text. 

However, are elect Gentiles circumcised in heart along with elect Jews? Absolutely! But a distinction still remains between the two; and this continued distinction is seen throughout the Book of Romans. Ethnic Jews are the natural branches and Gentiles are wild branches that have been grafted into Israel's olive tree. The Church consist of both Jew and Gentile - "true or spiritual" Israel are the "natural branches" of the Olive Tree of which the Gentiles are not (romans 11:23-29). The Gentiles could never be considered Israel for they are not the natural branches! As regards to election; the true "spiritual Israel" is beloved by God for the sake of the promise made to their forefathers. However, 'mere' ethnic Israel in flesh only are considered to be the Gentiles enemies for the Gospel sake (romans 11:29). Therefore, the Gentiles cannot ever be addressed as "spiritual Israel" as to usurp only ethnic Israel's rightful status as believers in Yeshua who's praise is from God. This fact has clearly been plainly written.

Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in - ROMANS 11:25

By Aaron Fisher 

Christ "tasted death" for everyone? What does the Scriptures actually say?

One of the most popular verse of Scripture used by those attempting to justify an unlimited atonement is Hebrews 2:9

But we see him [Christ] who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

But those who attempt to use this verse to justify such a position has gravely misinterpreted the writers thoughts and intentions pertaining to this particular verse by destroying the context to which it is being applied. There needs to be initially a careful study of the entire book of Hebrews in order for one to rightly divide it's worded contents and author's intentions as to what he is trying to specifically convey.

In my study, why "tasting death" for everyone is NOT a reference to "all people" without exception in Hebrews 2:9 but rather "all people" for whom Jesus suffered death for (Hebrews 2:9-13); even unto the Cross. Contextually, according to the Book of Hebrews; this would be - (1) many sons *2:10* (2) all those given to the son from the Father *2:13* (3) Christ brothers *2:12* (4) offspring of Abraham *2:16* (5) heirs of promise *6:17* (6) eternal source of Salvation for all those who obey Him *5:9* (7) those who draw near to God *7:25* (8) those who are called *9:15* (9) those whom Jesus made propitiation for their sins *2:17* (10) Christ sheep *13:20* and (11) those whom God would forgive according to the promise of the New Covenant *8:6-13*. Christ "tasted death" for a specific group of people!

If Jesus "tasted death" for everyone without exception then He is everyone's Interceding High Priest for Christ obedience, even unto His death on the Cross, exalted him to this position of highest honor and crowned with glory - that being of an Eternal High Priest according to Hebrews 2:9-18.

And if Christ "tasted death" for everyone then He is presumably also their Eternal High Priest - and as a result "everyone" would be saved for it was through His suffering, that Christ would not only be made the founder of their Salvation (those whom He tasted death for) but as an Eternal High Priest, their Salvation would be unmistakably effectual and inevitable; because, according to Scripture, Christ as High Priest is a High Priest of the NEW COVENANT(after the order of Melchizedek). The New Covenant is an Unconditional Covenant. This Covenant was unconditional in the sense that it was SOLEY based upon what God would UNILATERALLY do and fulfill or bring to pass and NOT according to ANYTHING that man would do or contribute to. The New Covenant and the fulfilment of it is NOT based upon man's performance and/or obedience! God PROMISED and took it upon Himself to provide a means for sinful man to be made right with God. What man COULD NOT do for himself - in particular, obey what God would command him to do; God would soley do, by replacing the 'old stubborn heart of stone' with a 'new compliant heart of flesh' ACCORDING TO the PROMISE of the New Covenant! The New Covenant also "unconditionally" provided for "forgiveness of sins."  This is why when Hebrews speaks of Christ atonement/propitiation (Hebrews 2:17, 8:10-12, 10:15-17), it is a REMOVAL of GOD'S WRATH UNCONDITIONALLY in spite of what sinful man does or to be more specific - in spite of what sins God's Elect will commit. God ultimately passes over the sins of His Chosen Ones! God NEVER intends to bestow His wrath of judgement upon those whom He has foreloved and promised Eternal Life to before creation. The removal of God's wrath is the means for forgiveness of sins provided for by the promise of the New Covenant.

So, if Jesus "tasted death" on the Cross for everyone then everyone would be saved for Jesus death exalted him to the position of an Eternal High Priest and as High Priest; His intercessory work is by necessity EFFECTUAL seeing that Christ is both Shepherd of His Sheep AND High Priest of the very SAME sheep - meaning that, ALL who Christ intercedes for will INEVITABLY come to a saving faith (John 17, Hebrews 2:10-12 & 17, 5:1-10, 9:11-15)!

However, the Scriptures DO NOT speak of a potential"universal atonement" based upon man's "free will". On the contrary, Christ "tasted death" for all those whom He would suffer death for. He suffered for those whom He would ultimately intercede for as High Priest. And as an Eternal High Priest, Christ intercessory work is EFFECTUAL for all those given to Him from the Father. All those given to Christ from the Father, are those for whom propitiation is made. Heirs according to promise are the Children of Promise, and the Children of Promise are the Elect/Sheep; a particular called out group of people chosen before the creation of the world. Christ, according to the New Covenant, is the Shepherd of the Sheep but ALSO the Eternal High Priest of the SAME New Covenant EFFECTUALLY bringing many "sons and brothers" to glory of those that the Father has given Him from eternity past!

Conclusion: In short, Christ tasted death for everyone whom He suffered death for; and those whom He suffered death for (Hebrews 2:14,16,17, 9:15) are (1) The Father's children given to Christ, (2) offspring of Abraham (3) Christ brethren, who are also the spiritual offspring of Abraham, (4) and those CALLED to be Heirs of Promise.

HEBREWS 2:9-13 - CONTEXT MATTERS!

But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the SUFFERING OF DEATH, so that by the grace of God he might TASTE DEATH FOR EVERYONE.

For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in BRINGING MANY SONS TO GLORY, should make the FOUNDER OF THEIR SALVATION PERFECT THROUGH SUFFERING.For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is NOT ASHAMED TO CALL THEM BROTHERS, saying,

“I will TELL OF YOUR NAME TO MY BROTHERS;

in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

And again, “I will put my trust in him.”

And again, “Behold, I and the CHILDREN GOD HAS GIVEN ME.”

------------------------------------------------

1) The SUFFERING unto DEATH in verse 9 is in connection to Christ tasting death for EVERYONE

2) The same SUFFERING in verse 10 is in connection to Christ and His sufferings attributed to the MANY SONS on their behalf and Him being the founder of their (MANY SONS) salvation.

3) Christ is NOT ASHAMED to call them (MANY SONS) BROTHERS

4) Christ BROTHERS and the Father's MANY SONS are one and the same people; therefore, those whom Christ is not ashamed of and those whom He SUFFERED DEATH for are also the SAME ONES He TASTED DEATH for (verse 9 & 10).

5) Christ TASTED DEATH for the Father's MANY SONS and His BROTHERS!

6) Christ BROTHERS are those GIVEN TO HIM from the FATHER (verse 13)

7) Christ COULD NOT have possibly tasted death for EVERYONE without exception for He suffered death ONLY for the MANY SONS who are Christ BROTHERS (verse 10). And if Christ suffered death only for the MANY SONS who are His BROTHERS then He also TASTED DEATH - ONLY for the MANY SONS and His BROTHER'S. If Christ BROTHERS were given to Him from the Father; then How could Christ taste death for everyone and at the same time suffer death ONLY for His BROTHERS; who were given to Him by the Father? Unless you're prepared to argue that everyone without exception is given to Christ from the Father then you have no sound exegetical argument and have definitely misinterpreted the text. Christ cannot suffer death for an exclusive group of people and at the same time taste death inclusively for everyone; for Christ tasting of death and His suffering of death are synonymous - He tasted death by way of His suffering of death.

8) Christ DID NOT taste death for everyone without exception but ONLY for those given to Him from the Father

IGNORE CONTEXT and MISUNDERSTAND THE TEXT!

In short, the writer of Hebrews qualifies the "everyone" whom Christ tasted death for - and it is the Children of God the Father given to the Son; NOT "everyone" without exception! Christ tasted death for everyone of all that was given to Him by the Father! Let's us continually strive to keep Scripture in it's proper context to avoid falling into doctrinal error by rightfully dividing the Word of God!

By Aaron Fisher..

Does "foreknowledge" necessitate Determinism?

Leighton Flowers denies the scriptural argument that the reason why God knows what will occur is because He has predetermined what will occur or that God's foreknowledge of future events is based upon an eternal decree. If the overall purpose of God is fulfilled by the evil intensions of the creature - then how is the creature "free" as to do other than what God has already planned involving the creature as to fulfill His purpose since God's plan precedes His purposes and is the very reason His purposes are fulfilled? How can the creature escape God's decree or predetermined plan that is essential in fulfilling His "good purposes" that Leighton speaks of?

However Sir, in spite of your assertion; the obvious question still remains based upon your logic - if, "God is capable of knowing and using free creatures with sinful intentions to accomplish His good purposes without decreeing their evil intentions" as you claim - then does the "free creature" still have the freedom to do other than what God already knows beforehand what he will do seeing that His "good purposes" involving man derive from a predetermined plan which in return is non-contradictory to what He already knows beforehand? If the entirety of God's plan is determined before creation then everything that occurs proceeding or because of his plan has to be predetermined in order that His purposes according to His plan might be fulfilled.

I'm arguing, If God knew beforehand that the "free will" creature would do X, then what God already knew could never contradict OR not be contingent upon His predetermined plan for the creature to do X - because creature X would be fulfilling the purpose of God in doing X based upon God's eternal plan that had been already established. Therefore what God knew creature X would do beforehand as to fulfill His "good purpose" was based upon an already established predetermined plan. God knows what will occur because He has already predetermined what will occur unless those such as yourself who oppose such an view is prepared to argue that what God knows beforehand as it relates to His purposes being fulfilled somehow is not contingent upon His eternal plan which precedes those very same purposes being fulfilled.

In other words, those who oppose my conclusion must be prepared to argue that what God knows beforehand as it relates to His purposes being fulfilled (that the creature would do X) is not contingent upon His predetermined plan (that the creature would do X) that was before creation in order that His "good purpose" (involving the creature to do X) might be fulfilled - because in doing so they would have illogically and unscripturally established that what God knows beforehand is not contingent upon Him predetermining every occurrence in order to fulfill His "good purposes" BUT rather that somehow God's "good purposes" could come to pass soley based upon the will of the creature and what He already knew APART FROM and not based upon the very thing (His overall predetermined plan) that His purposes essentially derive from.

God plans; and His purposes come to fruition according to His plan - this is my argument. Therefore, His purposes involving man that come to pass are contingent upon what He has already established. It cannot be that the "good purposes" of God to which Leighton speaks of involving man can come to pass apart from the very plan of which His purposes procede and derive from; such a notion would be unbiblical, let alone illogical - for if man was "free" as to have the ability to always do other than what God foreknew what he would do then God's omniscience would be undermined and come into question. However, since man does not possess such an ability - then man can never do other than what God already knew what He would do. Therefore, since man can never do other than what God already knew - man's actions are based upon God's knowledge beforehand which is contingent upon God's decree or predetermined plan. Either way, man cannot escape from the "good purposes" of God in spite of his good or evil intension due to God's foreknowledge which is contingent upon His eternal decree. 

By Aaron Fisher 

Does God Decree Rape? The Rape of Tamar, King David's Daughter (2 Samuel 13).

First, what is the Decree of God? The decree of God - Is not so much as a command but rather a previous determination of God before the Creation of the world of what would come to pass as of certainty resulting from his divine council and will relating to His eternal purposes that will glorify Himself in all things.

Secondly, not to speak lightly of Tamar's rape but the rape was essentially a means to an end - which is the death of Amnon, David's son. You recall, God told David by the Prophet Nathan that the "sword would not depart from his household" as punishment/judgement for David's previous sins. David had slept with another man's wife (Basheba) and killed her husband. The Death of Amnon was because of what God predetermined would come to pass as a result; seeing that Ammon's death was pronounced before the rape as in the "sword should not depart from David's household". The rape of Tamar (as a means to an ultimate end) moved her brother Absalom to murder her other brother Amnon (2 Samuel 13:32) who had sexually violated her. Therefore, the rape of Tamar was decreed (determined beforehand) by God. Her rape DID NOT take God by surprise; it was according to His plan JUST AS the death of Ammon was! Tamar's rape was the means that God had determined to use in order to bring about the death of her brother Ammon for David's sin by the hands of Absalom her other brother.

By Aaron Fisher

I [the Lord] Neither Commanded Nor Did it Enter My Mind (Jeremiah 19:1-5, 32:34-35). What Does the Scriptures Actually Say regarding Judah's CHILD SACRIFICE?

There are some well meaning Christians who are totally against divine determinism and use Scripture passages such as (Jeremiah 19:1-5, 32:34-35) to assert that God does not decree all things, however they sadly misinterpret these text and seemingly ignore the further context of the subject at hand - which is child sacrifice. A careful study will show that God did actually decree/determine for Israel/Judah to eat the flesh of their sons and daughters as punishment for their disobedience; God had given them over to their sinful desires. Some attempt to ascribe the word DECREE among these two passages in question to argue their point that there is no such teaching involving divine determinism that is taught in scripture - but a more accurate interpretation of the Hebrew word [dabar 1696] would preferably be SPEAK IT or MENTION IT; while also considering and not neglecting the ENTIRE context regarding the subject of child sacrifice throughout the rest of the Old Testament scriptures. For the meaning of particular words are always derived by it's context of which it is being used. For example, a more accurate rendering of this particular verse of scripture in question should read as such -  "I did not command it or mention it, nor either did it enter my mind".

The Scripture declares God did not COMMAND the children of Israel nor the sons of Judah NOR did it ENTER GOD'S MIND as a GOOD and HOLY THING of SPIRITUAL SERVICE for His people to offer sacrifices of their children to Himself and especially other god's; this desire was never expressed by God - in fact, it was rightfully FORBIDDEN (Leviticus 18:21, Leviticus 20:1-5, Deuteronomy 12:31,  Deuteronomy 18:9-14, Jeremiah 32:34-35) !!!

Decidedly, God had given his people over to the Customs/Laws of Pagan nations such as (child sacrifice) as punishment for Israel and Judah's PREVIOUS SINS (disobedience as to not keeping the Sabbath holy and having set their eyes on their father's idols) in order that they may ultimately come to the realization that He is indeed a Holy and Just God (Leviticus 26:27-33, Ezekiiel 20:18-26, Deuteronomy 28:53, Jeremiah 19:9, Ezekiel 5:10). God DID NOT EVER "decree" such a thing - such as [child sacrifice] AS GOOD to cause Judah to sin BUT he did give the children of Israel and the sons of Judah over to sinful desires for previous sins to HORRIFY and DEVASTATE them in order that they may know he is the true and living God apart from the other false gods the other nations had imagined in their hearts and worshipped. So in this regard, God DID DECREE the sacrifice of Israel's children as PUNISHMENT for adhering to the sinful customs of the other nations (Ezekiel 20:26; 42-44).

Furthermore, however, I would also argue that God DID ultimately decree and/or predetermine the judicial punishment for Israel and Judah beforehand as it relates to child sacrifice as part of his OVERALL ULTIMATE PLAN for the nation (jeremiah 30 and 31); not only to tear down and destroy because of their sin and disobedience to the Mosaic Covenant (Law of Moses) that was made with them but to also build and plant regarding a future restoration of Israel according to the New Covenant - Deuteronomy 30:1-10, Ezekiel 36:22-38, Hebrews 8:8-12]. In other words, child sacrifice by the people of God was the overall plan of God (Determinism) to bring to pass a specific end goal in order that the remnant of Israel in the latter days may understand the workings of God throughout Israel's history and bring them to faith in the One true God through His Son that they and their ancestors had rejected. This is why the scriptures testify that in the latter days Israel will then understand all that God had done (jeremiah 23:20 and jeremiah 30:24).

SCRIPTURE VERSES AND CONCLUSION TO PROVE MY ARGUMENT.

1) God warned Israel/Judah beforehand about potentially giving their children sacrificially to Molech and sharing in the abominations of the other nations

(A) Any one of the people of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech shall surely be put to death. The people of the land shall stone him with stones. 3I myself will set my face against that man and will cut him off from among his people, because he has given one of his children to Molech, to make my sanctuary unclean and to profane my holy name. 4And if the people of the land do at all close their eyes to that man when he gives one of his children to Molech, and do not put him to death, 5then I will set my face against that man and against his clan and will cut them off from among their people, him and all who follow him in whoring after Molech. - Leviticus 20:1-5

(B) You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the LORD hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods. - Deuteronomy 12:31

(C) When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. And because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God, for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do this. - Deuteronomy 18:9-14

(D) You shall not give any of your offspring to offer them to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God; I am the LORD. - Leviticus 18:21

(E) They set up their abominations in the house that is called by my name, to defile it. They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin. - Jeremiah 32:34-35

(2) As discipline, God determined to punish Israel and give them over to their sinful desires for not obeying His rules or keeping the Sabbath Holy. God gave them over to the laws and customs [child sacrifice] of the other nations and deemed it so that they shall eat the flesh of their own sons and daughters.

(A) But if in spite of this you will not listen to me, but walk contrary to me, then I will walk contrary to you in fury, and I myself will [DISCIPLINE YOU] sevenfold for your sins. You shall eat the flesh of your sons, and you shall eat the flesh of your daughters. And I will destroy your high places and cut down your incense altars and cast your dead bodies upon the dead bodies of your idols, and my soul will abhor you. And I will lay your cities waste and will make your sanctuaries desolate, and I will not smell your pleasing aromas. And I myself will devastate the land, so that your enemies who settle in it shall be appalled at it. And I will scatter you among the nations, and I will unsheathe the sword after you, and your land shall be a desolation, and your cities shall be a waste. - Leviticus 26:27-33

(B) And I said to their children in the wilderness, ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, nor keep their rules, nor defile yourselves with their idols. I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and be careful to obey my rules, and keep my Sabbaths holy that they may be a sign between me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.’ But the children rebelled against me. They did not walk in my statutes and were not careful to obey my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live; they profaned my Sabbaths.

“Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them and spend my anger against them in the wilderness. But I withheld my hand and acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out. Moreover, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them through the countries, because they had not obeyed my rules, but had rejected my statutes and profaned my Sabbaths, and their eyes were set on their fathers’ idols. Moreover, I gave them [over to] statutes [of the heathen nations] that were not good and rules by which they could not have life, and I defiled them through their very gifts in their offering up all their firstborn, that I might devastate them. I did it that they might know that I am the LORD. - Ezekiel 20:18-26

(C) During the siege and hardship that your enemy will impose on you, you will eat the fruit of your womb, the flesh of the sons and daughters whom the LORD your God has given you. - Deuteronomy 28:53

(D) I [the Lord] will [make them] eat the flesh of their sons and daughters, and they will eat one another's flesh in the siege and distress inflicted on them by their enemies who seek their lives. - Jeremiah 19:9

(E) As a result, fathers among you will eat their sons, and sons will eat their fathers. I will [execute judgments against you] and scatter all your remnant to every wind. - Ezekiel 5:10

(3) God gave Israel/Judah over to their sinful hearts because of disobedience in order that He might horrify them with the fear of God.

(A) because they had not obeyed my rules, but had rejected my statutes and profaned my Sabbaths, and their eyes were set on their fathers’ idols. Moreover, I gave them statutes that were not good and rules by which they could not have life, and I defiled them through their very gifts in their offering up all their firstborn, that I might [devastate them]. I did it that they might know that I am the LORD. Ezekiel 20:24-26

(B) And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the country that I swore to give to your fathers. And there you shall remember your ways and all your deeds with which you have defiled yourselves, and you shall loathe yourselves for all the evils that you have committed. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I deal with you for my name’s sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel, declares the Lord GOD. - Ezekiel 20:42-44

(4) The overall plan of God for Israel was to eventually fall into grave sin; even apostasy - only to restore them in the latter days; so that they may come to know the true living God by way of all His attributes being revealed. God used Israel's sinful disobedience as a means to this end for His glory.

(A) For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands - DEUTERONOMY 29:31:29-30

(B) But to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear - DEUTERONOMY 29:4

(C) The anger of the LORD will not turn back until he fully accomplishes the purposes of his heart. In days to come you will understand it clearly - JEREMIAH 23:20

(D) The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back until he fully accomplishes the purposes of his heart. In days to come you will understand this - JEREMIAH 30:24

(E) When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to the LORD your God and obey his voice. For the LORD your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them - DEUTERONOMY 4:30-31

(F) “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and the seed of beast. And it shall come to pass that as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring harm, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, declares the LORD. - Jeremiah 31:27-28

(G) ......... “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.

For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord:

I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” - Hebrews 8:8-12

(H) I will no longer hide my face from them [Israel], for I will pour out my Spirit on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD. - EZEKIEL 39:29

(I) And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son - ZECHARIAH 12:10

(J) Then I will gather [the remnant] of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the LORD. “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch [JESUS CHRIST], and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’ “Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when they shall no longer say, ‘As the LORD lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ but ‘As the LORD lives who brought up and led the offspring of the house of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.’ Then they shall dwell in their own land - JEREMIAH 23:3-8

(K) Thus saith the Lord: As if a grain be found in a cluster, and it be said: Destroy it not, because it is a blessing: so will I do for the sake of my servants, that I may not destroy the whole. And I will bring forth a seed [remnant] out of Jacob, and out of Juda a [possessor of my mountains]: and [my elect] shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there - ISAIAH 65:8-9

CONCLUSION:

God did NOT decree that His people would participate in Child Sacrifice as something good regarding spiritual service as to honor Him; in fact, He had forbid such sinful practices beforehand. However, God did ultimately decree beforehand that the punishment for His people sins would be to give them over to depraved mind as to offer their children for sacrifice because they did not keep the Sabbath holy and their idolatry as to worship the false gods of the other nations; seeing that God gave His people fair warning a head of time. God's "decree" was for them to disobey what he had forewarned them about to bring about His plan and a greater purpose although His revealed will was clear to which he warned them beforehand as to not adopt the sinful ways of the Gentile nations. The ultimate end of God's decree as to whether obey or disobey is for His glory!

By Aaron Fisher

UNION WITH CHRIST.

Union with Christ aka "In Christ" -  Is based upon an unbreakable "possession" by the Father of a particular people that has been given to the Son from eternity past (ephesians 1:4) as to glorify Him. It is a union or possession unbreakable due to the fact that the Father has eternally and favorably loved a people as His own (ephesians 1:4-5) before time to the same degree as He has eternally loved His very own Son (john 17:22-23). God's ownership of a people before creation as to set them apart unto Himself for salvation; foreordaining them for redemption and the forgiveness of sins having been created in Christ Jesus and likewise foreordained unto good works is the very result of such an eternal union to which I speak of. Mind you, those who are in union with Christ as belonging to Him are His due to the Father's eternal love and are being kept by God's power and those kept are continuously dependent upon His love, faithfulness and power to remain in union as His.

In addition, God's elect have always been united or in union with Christ; for our union is also based upon belonging to Christ before the foundation of the world in an unbreakable relationship having been given to Him from the Father. There never was a "time" when we did not belong to Christ. Therefore, there never was a 'time' when we were not ultimately in union with Christ. However, as relating to 'time' - we are only momentarily separated from Christ as in a state of unbelief involving the plan of God as to be ultimately saved but this momentary separation does not mean we cease to belong to Him; as in union with Him. We still remain as Christ sheep regarding His relationship with and ownership of us; even in a state of unbelief OR even before our very own physical existence - as in, before creation.

By Aaron Fisher 

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Blessed "in Christ" before creation with every "spiritual blessing" (ephes 1:3-5).

God blessed us "in Christ" with every spiritual blessing "before the foundation of the world" just as or in the sane manner that He chose us to be holy and blameless before Him which also was "before the foundation of the world". Essentially, God's blessings and His choosing of us were both "in Christ" before creation (vs 3-4). The blessing spoken of in verse 3 are simply for those whom God likewise chose in Christ before the foundation of the world.

(A) Blessed us (vs 3)

(B) In Christ (vs 3)

(C) with every spiritual blessing (vs 3)

(D) Just as or in the same manner to which God chose us in Him to be holy and blameless - before the foundation of the world (vs 4) 

THIS IS WHY:

The Apostle Paul goes on to say; that those whom God both blessed "in Christ" AND chose "in Christ" before the foundation of the world were likewise predestined before the foundation of the world to sonship AS TO receive these spiritual blessings upon having believed seeing that God initially had already blessed us by decree with such blessings "in Christ" before creation - indeed, having blessed us "in the Beloved".

(A) In love He predestined us (vs 5)

(B) According to the purpose of His will & to the praise of His glorious grace (vs 6)

(C) Which He has blessed us "in the beloved" before the foundation of the world (vs 6)

God blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the same manner that He chose us - both having been before the foundation of the world. Before creation is in regards to God's decree. However, God likewise predestined us for adoption to sons as to receive these blessings upon believing; having been already ours before creation to receive. This is why Paul goes on to state that we have redemption through Christ blood and the forgiveness of trespasses because these particular blessings are according to the "riches of His grace" which He "lavished" upon us. God's "lavishing of the richest of His grace" having been before creation is in relation to our redemption and forgiveness of sins "in time" or after creation once having believed.

By Aaron Fisher