The sin of Adam did not make the condemnation of all men merely possible; it was the ground of their actual condemnation. So the righteousness of Christ did not make the salvation of men merely possible, it secured the actual salvation of those for whom He wrought."

Charles Hodge

If Christ has died for you, you can never be lost. God will not punish twice for one thing. If God punished Christ for your sins He will not punish you. "Payment God's justice cannot twice demand; first, at the bleeding Saviour's hand, and then again at mine." How can God be just if he punished Christ, the substitute, and then man himself afterwards?

Charles Spurgeon

And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Matthew 20:24-28

Note that the ransom is for many, not all.

If Christ died for all, then He failed, because not all are saved. Yet, we've already proven from Scripture that the purpose of God can not fail.

Consider what Jesus said about the scope of His atonement:

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd."

John 10:11-16

Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one."

John 10:25-30

Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."

John 8:42-47

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."

Matthew 1:18-21

Jesus certainly sounds exclusive there.

"I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.
"I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them through Your name which You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth."

John 17:6-19

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

John 15:13

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of the Lord and God which He purchased with His own blood.

Acts 20:28

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5:25-27

I have to confess I was very amused when my friend said he understood the other four points but not unconditional election. In my experience, a "four-point" Calvinist stumbles at limited atonement. There are a lot of "TU-IP"s out there.
I do think a major stumbling block to limited atonement is the name. It would have been far better to call it definite atonement, if only TUDIP made a clever acronym. Particular atonement is good, too, and may be a viable option today as Tu Pip sounds like a rapper. Oh well...
The Westminster Confession states the doctrine:

Wherefore, they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ by His Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by His power, through faith, unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.

It logically follows on the heels of unconditional election - if God chose before the foundation of the world whom He would save, why would He send His Son to die for those He never planned to save? How could He come to redeem those He did not come to redeem? Eh?

This was my stumbling block. I really struggled with all the "world" and "all" passages. How could the atonement be limited in scope when He is "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world"? (John 1:29) Didn't "God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son... that the world through Him might be saved"? (John 3:16-17)

Two things broke me out of this. First, I knew I was arguing against the limited scope of the atonement. But what was I arguing for? If He died for all (2 Corinthians 5:14-15), bringing salvation for all people (Titus 2:11), then everyone is saved. The choice was either limited atonement or universalism. Second, and this is where I want to park today, I did not understand the infinite value of Christ's atonement.

But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.

Acts 3:14, 15

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

1 Corinthians 2:7, 8

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of the Lord and God which He purchased with His own blood.

Acts 20:28

Limited atonement teaches a limit only in scope - a numerical limit, if you will. Not a limit in value. This is the blood of the Prince of Life, the Lord of Glory. This is the very blood of God. The blood of God is absolutely sufficient to have saved every person, had that been its purpose.

To make atonement for a sin against an infinite God required an infinite sacrifice.

This is not an issue of sufficiency, but of efficiency. In a sense, it is the doctrine of universal atonement (the opposing, Arminian view) that should have been labeled limited atonement. If an atonement can be applied to all men, yet some are lost, then its a very limited atonement, in my opinion.

Let me illustrate: Imagine that I had a large debt that I could not pay. I then learned that the creditors would be coming to collect. I would certainly be afraid. What if my friend - a very good friend - told me that he had already paid my debt. I should rejoice. But what if I did not rejoice. What if I did not believe him? What if I chose instead to live in my fear, wondering how I could avoid the creditors?

But what would I be fearing? Would there be a ground for my fear? If my friend had indeed paid my debt, would the creditors still come? They've been paid. They have no reason to come after me. They have their money. I would be fearing a myth.

So, if atonement has been made universally, everyone's debt has been paid. No one is going to hell. That would be double jeopardy. Is God that unjust?

As B. B. Warfield said, "The things we have to choose between are an atonement of high value, or an atonement of wide extension. The two cannot go together."

It is the Arminian who limits the atonement and dares rob the power from the blood.

More later...

I've been on vacation this week, and so I've had a lot of time with my children, time to observe my own shortcomings and, unfortunately, the shortcomings of others. I remember coming across this list a few years ago and I hope it steps on all of our toes and helps us walk more circumspectly as parents.

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Colossians 3:21

1. Be angry. Go ahead, get good and angry yourself. This is what I caught myself doing initially, only I called it righteous indignation. Then God reminded me that I'm not righteous enough to be indignant. Remember that "the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God" (James 1:20).
2. Don't just argue with your kids. Argue with your spouse. It's not like you're supposed to be "one flesh" is it? (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5, 6; Mark 10:8; 1 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 5:31)
3. Dad, don't be the man. Mom, don't be the woman. This is an age of equality and liberation, right? Don't submit to your own husband as to the Lord. You be his head, don't let him be yours. You don't want to be subject to him do you? (Ephesians 5:22-24) Hey, dad. You don't want to love that old ball-and-chain, do you? You've got a big golf game this week and fantasy football and, oh, how the work is piling up at the office. Sit down and talk? You don't know when you last had five minutes to yourself, let alone to sacrifice it to her. (Ephesians 5:25-31).
4. Standards? Who can agree on standards? Lighten up! Toughen up! What these kids need is more rules! What these kids need is less rules! Be strict! Be lenient! Whatever you do, don't agree on the standards and don't strive for balance. Oh, sure, God got away with only ten rules that were very simple and very general. But we need at least five hundred rules that change at least as often as mom and dad's mood swings. And we'll waffle between enforcing and not enforcing. That'll keep the kids on their toes!
5. What's better than standards? Double standards! Do as I say, not as I do! Hear the Word of the Lord - just don't do it. (James 1:22) As long as you keep up that outward appearance, no one will know about those filthy, dead bones inside (Matthew 23:27).
6. Yell at those kids, yell, yell, yell all the way to church. Then smile and wave when you get there. (Philippians 4:9)
7. Pick a favorite. It's easy. You've always liked that one kid more than the others. Give him all the praise and let him get away with murder. (James 3:17)
8. It doesn't really matter if you can take the kids to the park this Saturday like you promised, as long as you make sure they never fail to keep a promise to anyone. Beat it into them. Their word should be good as gold. Yours, of course, means nothing. (Colossians 3:9)
9. Kids prefer you not talk to them. Its better if you avoid them, so they'll avoid you. You don't need to get to know them. They're just kids. Anything they need to know, they'll learn from someone - public school, friends, neighbors, sex offenders, drug pushers, the ACLU, etc. (Deuteronomy 6:7-9)
10. If you do have to talk them, make sure they look at you right in the eye and not fiddle with anything. Meanwhile, feel free to keep reading the paper or watching the news or writing on your blog when they demand your attention.
11. If you buy something and it breaks, return it to the store and get it replaced right away. After all, its important to you. If your child buys something and it breaks, throw it out - in front of them. Remind them they should have spent their money more wisely or save it instead of spending it on junk. That's all they ever want to buy - junk. Don't worry about their feelings. That's the beauty of a double standard.
12. If your child picks up a bug outside and wants to show it to you, be sure to show your disgust. You want to nip that behavior in the bud. After all, they may want to share something else they've discovered later in life with you. You wouldn't want that, would you?
13. Food. Clothing. Shelter. Hugs. Kisses. All over rated. (Philippians 2:4)
14. Let them run wild. Whatever doesn't kill them will make them stronger. Getting into mischief? That's just a part of growing up. (Proverbs 29:15) After all, you've got more important things to do than knowing where your kids are.
15. Under your thumb is the best place for them. Micromanage every detail of their miserable little lives. Demand absolute trustworthiness, but never show them that you might actually trust them. (James 3:17)
16. Expectations - high and unattainable are best. Children will be children, but not your children. Expect more. Demand more. After all, your raising future adults. Make them act like adults, even when they are in preschool. (1 Corinthians 13:11) You certainly shouldn't lighten up and have a sense of humor. If you did that, you might actually enjoy your children, which might lead to wanting to spend more time with them! After all, doesn't God expect more of you than you can handle? (1 Corinthians 10:13)
17. Children love comparisons. Here's where that favorite child comes in. "Why can't you be more like your sister?" (2 Corinthians 10:12) Of course, you could try to train them to compare themselves with God as the Standard, but then they might wonder why you don't do the same.
18. Bring up your child's faults to your friends. You can always get a good one-up story from your kids: "Oh, that's terrible. But would you believe what my son did?" Its even better if you do it in front of them. Then it's not gossip, just thoughtless and insensitive. (Titus 3:2; Proverbs 22:1) Run them in the ground. Show what a fool they are. Let them know what you really think about them. That'll give them something they can really live up to.
19. On the contrary, don't praise them! That might lead to pride. And you don't want that, unless it is your favorite child. Don't encourage them. (Proverbs 25:11)
20. A great way to avoid encouraging them with praise is to have a critical spirit. Criticism! Turn them into pessimists (it goes great with dispensationalism). Give them an ever growing list of do's and don'ts, especially don'ts.
21. If they do something you don't like in public, make a scene! (Matthew 18:15)
22. Really get worked up and start calling them names! (Ephesians 4:29) This is especially effective in front of your unsaved neighbors and family that you've been trying to reach for Christ. It will really pack the pews!
23. Jump in and start punishing quickly! Don't listen to them! Ignore their pleas! Why waste your time listening to their opinion or their side of the story? (Proverbs 18:13) Sure, you might punish a few innocents this way, but if you're going to make an omelet, you have to crack a few eggs, right? It's easier if you try to think of discipline as a means of punishing your child now, instead of training them for the future.
24. What better way to punish, than when you're angry? Yell at them! Talking to kids is just like talking to foreigners who don't speak your language: the louder you talk, the better they will understand you. (James 1:20) After all, they did this just to make you mad. Everything they do is aimed at getting your goat, pushing your buttons, whatever you want to call it. They're out to get you. They're the enemy. They're sinning against you, not God. (Or do you maybe think of yourself as God? Hmm...)
25. Be inconsistent. Punish today, don't punish tomorrow. If you do this enough, you can even develop a really fun cycle that will push you all over the edge. Discipline consistently - better behavior - more lenient discipline - behavior slips - discipline inconsistently - bad behavior reigns. (Ecclesiastes 8:11) For even more spice, one of you be the yeller and the other be the spanker. Oh, and forget about delayed obedience equaling disobedience. Just put off the discipline until you've really had it, then you'll be even more angry when you let them have it!)
26. Bring on the emotional abuse! Be mean! Harsh and unkind work for drill sergeants, why shouldn't it work for sensitive little kids? (Ephesians 4:31-32)
27. Bring on the physical abuse! That's why God gave you the little critters, so you can take out your bad days on them. Embarrassing you in front of your friends is unforgivable, right? (1 Timothy 3:3) Slap them, kick them, hit them, beat them. Just because you wouldn't do it to your dog, doesn't mean you can't do it to your kid? Why would you want to give yourself a time out first? Or, worse, pray for God to cool you off?
28. Never admit that your wrong! That's weakness! (Proverbs 16:18; Romans 12:3; Matthew 5:23-24)

Ouch. Well, I hope you read all those as negatively as I intended. This is how to provoke your children to anger, and I hope none of us want to do that. I hope we'll consider ways we've failed, ask God and our children to forgive us, and, through His strength, do better.

If I've missed something, please leave a comment. Don't take this as a chance to gossip about others or tell us how bad your parents were, but as a means to encourage us all to do a better job with our stewardship of God's treasures!

Do you seriously still consider this an option?

I tried tracking down the source on this photo and found this on WorldNetDaily:

No that photo you're seeing has not been retouched. It really is Rudy Giuliani made up in a blond wig and pink dress in a spoof of "Victor-Victoria" for the 1997 Inner Circle dinner. He followed that up with more cross-dressing antics on "Saturday Night Live." Then in 2001, he agreed to appear in drag in an episode of "Queer As Folk."

Yep. Westminster Bookstore is having another sale:

• The Elder and His Work by David Dickson $9.99 $6.99
• From Embers to a Flame: How God Can Revitalize Your Church by Harry L. Reeder III $12.99 $5.85
  
• Making Kingdom Disciples: A New Framework by Charles H. Dunahoo $12.99 $5.85
  
• The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter $9.00 $4.95
  

Also:

Called to Awaken the Laity by John H. Oak
Cross and Christian Ministry: Leadership Lessons from 1 Corinthians by D. A. Carson
Heart of a Servant Leader: Letters from Jack Miller by C. John Miller
Nine Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever
The Peacemaking Pastor: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Church Conflict by Alfred Poirier
Shepherds After My Own Heart: Pastoral Traditions and Leadership in the Bible (New Studies in Biblical Theology Vol. 20) by Timothy S. Laniak
Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer by J. Oswald Sanders

• KASHMIR – On July 29, five men from the Molvis Al-Hadis Mosque in Baramulla threatened Pastor Bashir Masih, and other believers preparing for Sunday worship. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts in India, "The five men threatened the believers and instructed them to vacate the house, which is also used as a house church, within a month since it is located near a mosque." In the past, Muslim extremists have assaulted Pastor Masih's disabled son and Muslim village authorities have allowed extremists to block drinking water to Pastor Masih's home. Pastor Masih was a Muslim who converted to Christianity in 2005. His house church, Shalom Prayer House, was started in 2005. Pray for Pastor Masih's family and Christians in India who remain steadfast in their faith, despite persecution. Hebrews 13:5-6
• KARTANAKA – August 10, Pastor Victor and his wife Glory were released after spending a month in prison. On July 9, the couple was assaulted by a Hindu extremist while they were distributing tracts in the Bijapur District, Karnataka. They were later arrested. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts in India, a grocery store owner invited the pastor and his wife to his home and while they were talking, a man entered the home and attacked them. VOM contacts report, "When the man entered the home, he saw gospel tracts and began cursing at the pastor and slapped him. The grocery owner joined the assault and dragged the pastor out of the home and put him on a rickshaw and took him to the police. The Hindu extremist registered a complaint against the couple for inciting religious disharmony." The couple was arrested under section 296 A of the Indian Penal Code. Pray for Pastor Victor and his family and ask God to protect Christians in India. 2 Timothy 1:7

www.persecution.com

In a comment on Unconditional Election, Ben Howard wrote,

Brian,
Not to be disagreeable here, but this has been my stumblingblock since college to truly holding to all five traditional points of Calvinist teaching. I now find myself in agreement with T-LIP, but U (Unconditional) Election, I have not been totally able to reconcile to scripture. In Romans 8:28, it clearly says that those he foreknew, he predestined. This is repeated in 1 Peter 1:2. I clearly see election, I don't think you can say you your theology is scriptural unless you believe in election; but it is the UNCONDITIONAL part that I have a problem with. I know it is an armenian belief, but I am still leaning towards Conditional Election. How would you interpret those passages? This may sound dumb, but I really would like to be convinced of Unconditional Election, because I am so much in agreement on 90% of the Reformed position.

I continue to keep you in my prayers.

Grace and Peace,

Ben Howard

Ben,

Thanks for the question. I'll try to answer it.

The Westminster Confession in Chapter III states it as, "Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions; yet has He not decreed anything because He foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions."

And in Chapter XVI: "These good works, done in obedience to God's commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith: and by them believers manifest their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance, edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the Gospel, stop the mouths of the adversaries, and glorify God, whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto, that, having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end, eternal life.
"Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ. And that they may be enabled thereunto, beside the graces they have already received, there is required an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them to will, and to do, of His good pleasure: yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any duty unless upon a special motion of the Spirit; but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them."

If election is based on foreseen faith and good works, then we are saved on the basis of works and God makes His choices in time, not in eternity. As Ephesians 1:4 says, "just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." His choice was made in eternity. Paul goes on to say in Titus 3:5, "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit." So it is not by works of righteousness past, present, or future.

Notice also that Paul said that God's choice was that we should be holy. Not that we already were holy. It is not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:9). 2 Timothy 1:9 says He "has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began."

Now, think logically about foreknowledge. Can you foreknow what has not already been foreordained? If something were a mere possibility, I could not say that I foreknew it to be so. Foreknowledge requires foreordination. Check the Scriptures on this, and you will find that God foreknows what He has foreordained:

Ben, in your question, you mention the Romans 8 passage. So let's look at that:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Romans 8:28-30

So what does it mean by know? Know is not just intellectual, but volitional. Notice the active will in these passages:

Did God not know about the rest of the earth's population? Of course, He knew. But this is a willful knowing.

"But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him."

1 Corinthians 8:3

Does God only know you if you love Him? Is it like the childhood game where you put a blanket on your head, because if you can't see the other person, he can't see you? So if you don't love God, He won't know you exist? Of course not! Again, it's a willful knowing.

"For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish."
Psalm 1:6

"I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own."

John 10:14

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."

John 10:27

"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"

Matthew 7:23

In the same way, the foreknown of Romans 8 are foreordained for His grace. Paul uses this word the same way in chapter 11:

I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, "LORD, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life"? But what does the divine response say to him? "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

Would it have made sense for Paul to say that God had chosen on the basis of future faith or future good works when he had just said that it was according to His purpose? In other words, His purpose cannot be free if it is dependent on future acts outside Himself. The Arminian view makes man ultimately responsible for his own election. If we hold to Total Depravity, that's not a pretty picture.
The Scriptures present a much better picture:

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

Ephesians 2:8, 9

"And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ."

Acts 18:27, 28

We believe in Christ because we are saved. The very seeking for salvation is the gift of God. As Augustine said, "The elect of God are chosen by Him to be His children, in order that they might be made to believe, not because He foresaw that they would believe."

I have heard E'phraim bemoaning,
'Thou hast chastened me, and I was chastened,
like an untrained calf;
bring me back that I may be restored,
for thou art the LORD my God.
For after I had turned away I repented;
and after I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh;
I was ashamed, and I was confounded,
because I bore the disgrace of my youth.'
Jeremiah 31:18, 19

Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Acts 5:31

When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."

Acts 11:18

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Romans 2:4

Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

Acts 13:48

"It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is. If the--if he--if 'is' means is and never has been, that is not--that is one thing. If it means there is none, that was a completely true statement....Now, if someone had asked me on that day, are you having any kind of sexual relations with Ms. Lewinsky, that is, asked me a question in the present tense, I would have said no. And it would have been completely true."

Bill Clinton

There's an unusual way to start a topic on hermeneutics! What I want to talk about is the much misunderstood and frankly mistranslated word world.

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Matthew 24:3 (KJV)

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Matthew 24:14 (KJV)

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Matthew 24:21 (KJV)

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Matthew 24:30 (KJV)

Okay, here are four verses within the same chapter to illustrate my point. (Okay, so the last one is earth, but in English we would consider earth and world to be synonymous.) On to my point - these are four different words in the Greek.

1. Aion (v. 3) means an age or eon. The end of the age is a very different concept than the end of the world! Here are some other examples of this: Matthew 12:32; 13:22, 39, 40, 49; 28:20; Mark 4:19; 10:30; Luke 1:70; 16:8; 18:30; 20:34, 35; John 6:51; Acts 3:21; 15:18; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 1:20; 2:7, 8; 3:18; 8:13; 10:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 1:21; 2:2; 3:9, 21; 6:12; 1 Timothy 6:17; 2 Timothy 4:10; Titus 2:12; Hebrews 6:5; 9:26; 1 John 2:17; Revelation 11:15. These are all instances where aion was translated world.
2. Oikoumene (v. 14) means the inhabited world. This often refers to the Roman Empire, but can be as specific as Palestine. Here are the other instances of oikoumene: Luke 2:1; 4:5; 21:26; Acts 11:28; 17:6, 31; 19:27; 24:5; Romans 10:18; Hebrews 1:6; 2:5; Revelation 3:10; 12:9; 16:14.
3. Kosmos (v. 21) means cosmos, world, or universe. This is the "real" word for world, but it can also refer to the moral world. This one appears 187 times in the New Testament and is all but once translated world.
4. Last but not least, is Ge (v. 30), which means earth, land, ground. This is usually the land of Israel. The KJV translates it earth 188 times, but only 42 times translates it land. Take it more in the agricultural sense. You might note that the Greek earth goddess was Gaea. Its sod as opposed to sky or sea (which comes out in phrases such as "heaven and ge"). Here in verse 30, it means the "tribes of the land", that is, of Israel. In 1 Corinthians 15:47, "the first man is of the ge, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven." James 5:7, "the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the ge." Revelation 1:7, "all the kindreds of the ge shall wail because of him" would signify the "kindreds of the land" or Israel.

I hope this is helpful for you. I also hope it shows how important using tools such as a Concordance and a Lexicon can be. The more I use study tools, well, frankly the more discouraged I become with English translations. I intend to get a good interlinear so I can see the Greek and not miss such significant differences.

• RAJASTHAN – On July 25, five men attacked Emmanuel Ministries. According to The Voice of The Martyrs contacts in India, the attackers had two handguns, a sword, a large stick and numerous stones. VOM contacts report, "They started fighting Mr. Jetha, one of the ministry office staff. They shouted that they would kill M.A and Samuel Thomas, the leaders of Emmanuel Ministries, and continuously beat Mr. Jetha. They threatened that they would 'kill and willingly go to prison for six years.' In a separate incident on July 31, members of Believers Assembly Church in Sri Ganga Nagar District, Rajasthan, were summoned by the police for questioning after Hindu fundamentalists complained believers were converting local villagers. VOM contacts report, "The new believers were threatened by police and pressured to leave Christianity and return to Hinduism. They were also warned that if they fail to return to Hinduism the provisions of the Anti-Conversion Act of Rajasthan, would be used to arrest them." Pray for protection for believers in Rajasthan. Ask God to encourage them and for the Holy Spirit to comfort and minister to injured believers. Pray the testimony of believers will draw Hindus into fellowship with Christ. Isaiah 26:3
• KARNATAKA – On July 29, a mob of about 15 Bajrang Dal extremists armed with clubs, cricket bats and knives attacked Believers Church, in Shimoga District, mercilessly beating the pastor. According to VOM contacts, "the attackers barged into the church and abused the Christians, using filthy language and began hitting and stabbing them. They destroyed the pulpit, chairs, musical instruments, furniture, and window panes and damaged the church walls. The pastor was also severely beaten with a cricket bat and his body was swollen." Pray for the speedy recovery of those injured. Ask God to protect Christians in Karnataka. Romans 8:11, Psalm 107:20

www.persecution.com

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages." Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure. No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities. Some men's sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.

1 Timothy 5:17-25

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. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

Mark 8:34-38

For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)-- then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority.

2 Peter 2:4-10a

"Then He will also say to those on the left hand, "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'
"Then they also will answer saying, "Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' Then He will answer them, saying, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Matthew 25:41-46

But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Jude 5-7

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for him in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time."

Revelation 12:7-12

Paul concludes the whole matter of election well in Romans 9:

I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, "In Isaac your seed shall be called." That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. For this is the word of promise: "At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son."

And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her, "The older shall serve the younger." As it is written, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated."

What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion." So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.

You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?" But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?" Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

As He says also in Hosea:

"I will call them My people, who were not My people,
And her beloved, who was not beloved."
"And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them,
"You are not My people,'
There they shall be called sons of the living God."
Romans 9:1-26

Since I was awake at 3 o'clock Tuesday morning , and couldn't get back to sleep (medicine seems to only succeed at confusing my body), I decided to sit down and read my Bible. Usually, if I read at a time like that, I fall back to sleep eventually. Well, I made it through both epistles of Peter, all three epistles of John, and the epistle of Jude. Still wide awake.

I did want to share with you something very interesting I discovered. Notice how the time changes:

The last times:

"who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." - 1 Peter 1:5

"He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you" - 1 Peter 1:20

Still looking forward to the last days:

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come." - 2 Timothy 3:1

Last days arrive:

"God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds [aion, lit. "ages"]." - Hebrews 1:1-2

"Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days." - James 5:3

"But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers." - 1 Peter 4:7

"Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of the apostles of your Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."" - 2 Peter 3:1-4

The last hour:

"Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour." - 1 John 2:18

"But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit." - Jude 17-19