“That means people who aren't called during this life, would get a second life and a second chance later on. That’s just wrong,” Isaac boldly states angrily. Looking up scripture for his proof he reads
Hebrews 9:27.
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment,”
With his intensity rising Isaac goes on to say. “Man will only live one life, then the judgement of God, with either Heaven or Hell to follow. We don't get second chances at salvation.”
Clearly seeing he has hit a nerve, Adam calmly formulates his response by questioning Isaac. “Did God create people so they could live with him as a family, with God as our father and Jesus our older brother?”
Isaac thinks warily, looking for an ecclesiastical trap. “Yes, I believe that statement could be scripturally supported. Jesus is said to be our older brother, he is the first born of many brethren. We are told repeatedly in the bible we are heirs, God is our father and we will be his children.”
“Will God force us into following him, or do we have freedom of choice?” Adam asks, as he strains down on the snipe, putting the final torque on each lug nut.
Becoming calmer Isaac answers with less apprehension, “Oh yes. We are free moral agents. God is love, he wants us to love him and choose his ways of love because we willingly want to be with him. If he forced himself on us and gave us no choice, he would be a spiritual rapist. He is so dedicated to free will, he even allowed the angels to decide their own destiny. That is when Lucifer became Satan and one third of the angels turned into demons.”
Pausing for a moment Isaac asks. “If I can use a Star Trek expression, Free moral agency would be one of God's prime directives. He won't violate the principle of personal choice, in fact he can't because he is love, it is part of his makeup, it's in his DNA. Being made of love he always has others best interest first and foremost above his own. It wouldn't be love to force people into being with him. God wants us to love him freely with our whole hearts.”
Adam pauses from tightening the lug nuts and adds, “I suppose you could say another prime directive would be that no human can be saved without going through the blood of Jesus.” After making his statement Adam returns to tighten the remaining lug nuts.
Isaac nods his head. “Ya, that would make two basic unbreakable rules of God. He will allow everyone to choose and we can only be forgiven of our sins by going through Jesus, for there is no other name by which we can be saved.”
Having finished with the lug nuts, Adam starts to put things back into the tool bag while asking Isaac. “So with the your traditional thoughts of man's fate, while adhering to those two unbreakable rules and keeping in mind that we can only learn about Jesus and the salvation he alone brings by being taught and called, when do those who lived on the wrong continent, or in the wrong century, get to learn about Jesus so they can be saved?
Isaac thinks about his answer as Adam removes the jack from under the trailer axle. Not until Adam was out from under the trailer and they were carrying tools back to put away in the truck, did Isaac finally answer. “You know, I have never given much thought to the people who haven't heard the gospel. Other than the fact they need to hear about Jesus to be saved and those not saved, will be condemned. I have always believed we need to accept God at some time in this life now.”
“Yes people will be condemned if they don't accept Jesus, but shouldn't they at least have an opportunity to hear about Jesus and his salvation before they are written out of eternity? After all, if God wants all who love him to become his children, for he is no respecter of people and treats all repentant sinners the same, shouldn't everyone be given the opportunity to repent? Adam asks as he puts the tools and snipe back into their storage spaces.
Isaac seemed puzzled by the questions when he stated, “I suppose that some things need to be left up to God. This is just one of those unfathomable mysteries of God where we just have to trust and have faith. But you can't argue with the scripture that tells us man is to only live once.”
Adam is quick to reply. “No, I will not argue with the words that scripture says, but I will argue with the context in which you are framing them. Let’s read the entire passage to see if we can get the context that is used. After all, there are several people in the Bible that have lived more than once. All those who were resurrected back to a physical life, like the young man who fell from the window. He would have lived more than once.”
“OK, I will look it up and read it in the truck,” Isaac agrees. “But first, let’s get that flat tire put into the spare tire cradle under the trailer.”
“You took the words right out of my mouth,” Adam sang, being careful not to sing the next line of the song. Adam hums the rest of the tune while he and Isaac struggle with the heavy tire carcass. Sliding it safely back to where the spare tire belongs, they secure it with the safety chain. Taking one last look for any stray tools or equipment, they head back to the truck.
Adam was getting back into the truck when a police car pulled up alongside of the old Western Star and parked. A tall thin officer stepped out of the cruiser. Putting on his hat, he approached Adam, who was standing beside the driver’s door with one foot on the tank step.
“I’d like to ask you a few questions,” the constable said as he strolled up to Adam. “I have received a complaint about an old blue truck cutting off a car by recklessly changing lanes. There aren't that many old blue trucks on the road, so maybe it was you.”
“Well I don't know. Who was the complainant and what are the details?” Adam responded. Being careful not to incriminate himself by saying too much.
“I had a radar trap set up a few miles down the way, when a fellow officer on his way to Kelowna stopped to complain about getting cut off in the passing lane coming up this hill out of Merit. He gave me a description of the truck as old and blue. He said it all happened so fast that he didn't get a very good look at the truck, but he was very mad at the careless driver.”
“Well I've been here for a while now changing a flat tire. Don't recall any old blue truck going past here. But I was on the other side of the trailer changing a tire, so I couldn't see much traffic. I did see a dark car going like a rocket though. I say see, but I heard it more than I saw it. By the time I looked around, it had already gone by and I was looking at its back end. All I could see was this dark object disappearing down the road. He must have been going Mach two. If you had a trap set up, it's funny you didn't pick him up on your radar when he got close to you?” Adam said curiously.
“Well I did have to extend him some professional courtesy, after I pulled him over. He said he was going to be late for a court appointment in Kelowna,” the wiry red headed constable said with a grin.
“Ya, I’d bet you get all kinds of excuses. It is odd there would be court on a Sunday, don't you think?” said Adam suspiciously. “Anyway, it seems as though I am headed in the wrong direction to have gotten in his way. And besides,” Adam said, walking over to the side of his trailer pointing towards the naked lady mural. “If you were only half paying attention to things, would you describe my truck as, just, old and blue?”
Looking up at the huge painting the constable nodded his head. “Yes I see your point. Perhaps I didn't get the whole story.”
“No doubt, we seldom do,” Adam said as the officer returned towards his car. With the closing of the car door, the cruiser was soon speeding off down the hill, leaving Adam alone as he climbed into his truck and prepared to leave.
“What was that all about? Isaac asked, once Adam had the brakes released and the truck in gear. “What did the police want?”
“Oh it was nothing; he was just looking for some information. I helped him out the best I could. But you know, everything you say, will be used against you, so you dare not say too much.”
“I suppose,” Isaac half-heartedly agreed, thinking Adam must be using more trucker talk. “I found those scriptures,” he said, cheerily changing the subject. “Should I read them
now?”
“No, could you wait till I get back onto the road and headed in the right direction. It's hard to listen attentively and do much other stuff.” Adam was checking his mirrors and looking down the hill for traffic. Seeing none, he turns the steering wheel hard to the left when he gets to the freeway entrance. Not wanting to be long crossing all lanes of traffic Adam accelerates the truck as it leaves the on ramp, picking up a gear as he makes the U turn across the four lane highway pointing the truck back up the hill towards Kelowna.
He pins the throttle hard to the floor causing an eruption of black smoke to billow out of the exhaust stack. The engine had cooled off while he spent time changing the blown tire. With the engine pulling hard against the steep incline he steers into the slow lane before any traffic approaches. Adam continues to smoothly up shift, picking up speed, the smoke starts to fade away as the engine temperature quickly rises. Isaac begins to read as they roll ever closer to their destination.
Yelling out to be herd, Isaac continues reading scriptures about living only once and there being only a one time sacrifice for all.
“Hebrews 9:20-28 KJV 20
This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Hebrews 10:1-17
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
These texts are talking about how the sacrifice of Jesus replaced the law, as a better one time sacrifice, done once and for all. Now we live under a new covenant based on the blood of Jesus.”
“Ya, that about covers it,” agreed Adam. “However, those verses don't say that man will not be brought back to life a second time in a resurrection. Only that judgement comes sometime after we die the first time. It doesn’t specify when that judgement takes place, only that there is a judgement coming after we die.
We are told in other places there is a second death that will not hurt those who love god. If there is a second death it would only stand to reason that mankind would have a second life. Some people speculate that the second death is when our spirit or soul dies. However, they give no scriptural proof to back up the existence of such a soul or spirit possessed by humans. We have gone over the scriptures and have found that man has no eternal soul or spirit. Such is the power of Satan's conspiracy, to blind mankind to the life giving good news of their loving father. God's plans are uplifting for all who understand them.”
“Wait, let me look those second death references up,” Isaac pleads, as he begins to type. He reads them in the order he finds them.
“Revelation 21:8 King James Version,” he announces.
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Revelation 2:11
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Here is another one.
Revelation 20:6
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Last one.
Revelation 20:14
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
OK it does tell us about a second death. But then why does it say, it is appointed unto men once to die. What do you think it’s talking about?”
Adam tries to explain his understanding. “To start with, the passage refers to the sacrifices the people made to God trying to cleanse themselves from their sins. They made these sacrifices throughout the year, every year. There was no end to the sacrifices for sin.
Then Jesus came and made one sacrifice, the sacrifice of his life. He only had to make it once for all of mankind, for all of the ages. Once to die, is talking about the normal course of our human existence, to live and then die. Jesus didn't have to keep repeating his sacrifice with a new body for every generation. He lived his one life and that was all that was needed, ‘as in Adam all died, so in Christ shall all be made alive’.”
“That's a lot to take in. I need to think about your ideas, I'm not sure they are completely accurate,” Isaac said skeptically.
“Hey, that's not a problem,” Adam said smiling. “A man convinced against his will, is still of the same mind still. My interpretation may not be a hundred percent accurate, but using, ‘it is appointed unto men once to die’, to say that humans can only live one life, can't be right. It contradicts other Bible scriptures, as many people in the Bible were brought back to life after having died. Like I always say, the Bible will not contradict itself, if it seems to be, then we are not understanding the scriptures properly. Let God be true and every man a liar.”
Chapter 8
Prove All Things