Mateus 24
Steven Cole · Citado em PreceptAustin
Mateus 24
Cole says that Jesus' fearful description of hell should serve to remind all procrastinators that "Salvation requires our careful self-examination because of the horrible consequences of making a mistake. Weeping and gnashing of teeth doesn't sound like a fun experience, especially when it continues through all eternity! Think of it as an eternal root canal without anesthesia! These men had assumed that they would be included in the kingdom. They were Jews, not "filthy" Gentiles. They were related to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But now they find themselves shut out and, of all things, those "dirty" Gentiles from east and west and north and south are inside, dining with the patriarchs and prophets! Contrary to popular modern views, hell will not be a wild party for all the wicked. And, contrary to most popular thinking, hell will not be just for the worst of the worst—the Hitlers of this world. These men were religious Jews who thought they were deserving of heaven. But they would not submit to Jesus and so they faced the horrible eternal consequence of being in that place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. Because there will be many religious people in hell, all of us who attend church should examine ourselves to make sure that we are not cast into that place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Luke 13:22-30 The Narrow Door) Teeth Provided! - An old-fashioned, hell-and damnation preacher was scolding his congregation for their terrible misdeeds. "Remember what it says in the Bible," he thundered. "Jesus told us that for those who do evil there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." [Matthew 22:13] At this point the preacher saw a very old parishioner grinning up at him, unconcerned, toothless. He accepted the challenge and pointed at the grinning gums, "Don't worry, James Lippincott. Teeth will be provided!" (Streiker, L. D. - Nelson's Big Book of Laughter) Hendricksen comments that… The weeping is that of inconsolable, never-ending wretchedness, and utter, everlasting hopelessness. The accompanying grinding or gnashing of teeth is that of frenzied anger, unmitigated rage. For this weeping and grinding of teeth there are three causes: a. They "see" (are made aware of the presence of) Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God; that is, the kingdom in its final consummation. b. They also take note of the fact that ever so many others, including (converted) Gentiles, from every region of the earth—east, west, north, and south—are participating in the Messianic banquet (cf. Mt 8:11,12). c. They themselves are "thrown out"; that is, not only was admission refused, but also they were forcefully expelled. (BORROW Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke. Baker Book) THOUGHT - "The Lord's words in this passage should cause us to soberly ponder what we do with our lives on earth. The evidence that one is a true servant of Jesus Christ is found in how he or she responds to the duties which the Lord imposes upon him or her. Accordingly, how we live our lives in this life becomes the basis of reward and punishment in the next." (Zodhiates) Clearly works do not save us, but Paul teaches we are saved for (not by) good works, writing that "we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Eph 2:10). God's servants will be rewarded for their faithfulness and good works while hypocrites will be punished for their evil works and unfaithfulness. Phil Newton concludes his thoughts on Jesus' parabolic illustration - Christ warns of what is to come so that we might find the solitary refuge in Him from this separation and judgment when He returns. Presume upon Christ and the gospel of grace, and you will discover one day your folly. But look to Him as the only refuge for sinners, trusting in His death to bear away God's judgment against you, and depending upon His righteousness before God, and the return of Christ takes on a completely different light. Rather than sorrow, there is joy; rather than hiding, there is welcoming; rather than anguish, there is eternal delight as you gaze upon the face of Him who died for you. Are you so living in relationship to Christ, that if He should come soon, He would find you alert, ready, and faithful? (Alert, Ready, and Faithful) Alexander
Mateus 24:43-51
Cole says that Jesus' fearful description of hell should serve to remind all procrastinators that "Salvation requires our careful self-examination because of the horrible consequences of making a mistake. Weeping and gnashing of teeth doesn't sound like a fun experience, especially when it continues through all eternity! Think of it as an eternal root canal without anesthesia! These men had assumed that they would be included in the kingdom. They were Jews, not "filthy" Gentiles. They were related to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But now they find themselves shut out and, of all things, those "dirty" Gentiles from east and west and north and south are inside, dining with the patriarchs and prophets! Contrary to popular modern views, hell will not be a wild party for all the wicked. And, contrary to most popular thinking, hell will not be just for the worst of the worst—the Hitlers of this world. These men were religious Jews who thought they were deserving of heaven. But they would not submit to Jesus and so they faced the horrible eternal consequence of being in that place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. Because there will be many religious people in hell, all of us who attend church should examine ourselves to make sure that we are not cast into that place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Luke 13:22-30 The Narrow Door) Teeth Provided! - An old-fashioned, hell-and damnation preacher was scolding his congregation for their terrible misdeeds. "Remember what it says in the Bible," he thundered. "Jesus told us that for those who do evil there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." [Matthew 22:13] At this point the preacher saw a very old parishioner grinning up at him, unconcerned, toothless. He accepted the challenge and pointed at the grinning gums, "Don't worry, James Lippincott. Teeth will be provided!" (Streiker, L. D. - Nelson's Big Book of Laughter) Hendricksen comments that… The weeping is that of inconsolable, never-ending wretchedness, and utter, everlasting hopelessness. The accompanying grinding or gnashing of teeth is that of frenzied anger, unmitigated rage. For this weeping and grinding of teeth there are three causes: a. They "see" (are made aware of the presence of) Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God; that is, the kingdom in its final consummation. b. They also take note of the fact that ever so many others, including (converted) Gentiles, from every region of the earth—east, west, north, and south—are participating in the Messianic banquet (cf. Mt 8:11,12). c. They themselves are "thrown out"; that is, not only was admission refused, but also they were forcefully expelled. (BORROW Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke. Baker Book) THOUGHT - "The Lord's words in this passage should cause us to soberly ponder what we do with our lives on earth. The evidence that one is a true servant of Jesus Christ is found in how he or she responds to the duties which the Lord imposes upon him or her. Accordingly, how we live our lives in this life becomes the basis of reward and punishment in the next." (Zodhiates) Clearly works do not save us, but Paul teaches we are saved for (not by) good works, writing that "we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Eph 2:10). God's servants will be rewarded for their faithfulness and good works while hypocrites will be punished for their evil works and unfaithfulness. Phil Newton concludes his thoughts on Jesus' parabolic illustration - Christ warns of what is to come so that we might find the solitary refuge in Him from this separation and judgment when He returns. Presume upon Christ and the gospel of grace, and you will discover one day your folly. But look to Him as the only refuge for sinners, trusting in His death to bear away God's judgment against you, and depending upon His righteousness before God, and the return of Christ takes on a completely different light. Rather than sorrow, there is joy; rather than hiding, there is welcoming; rather than anguish, there is eternal delight as you gaze upon the face of Him who died for you. Are you so living in relationship to Christ, that if He should come soon, He would find you alert, ready, and faithful? (Alert, Ready, and Faithful) Alexander