The Lord God Almighty is a Divine and Just God. Abba Yah knows who will come to Him and who delights in their sins. He knows who He Calls upon and who He Casts Away.
This sermon will discuss why Abba Yah keeps people blind, hardens the hearts and doesn't save All. (You can find a more in-depth sermon on The LION's TARES Ministry YouTube Channel. The Link is at the bottom of the page.)
Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.
1.The questions that arise are:
If All souls are God's, then why doesn't He Save Them All?
Why are souls sent to death?
Ezekiel 18:5-9
5 “If a man is righteous and does what is just and right— 6 if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor's wife or approach a woman in her time of menstrual impurity, 7 does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, 8 does not lend at interest or take any profit,[b] withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man, 9 walks in my statutes, and keeps my rules by acting faithfully—he is righteous; he shall surely live, declares the Lord God.
Ezekiel 18:10-13
If he fathers a son who is violent, a shedder of blood, who does any of these things11 (though he himself did none of these things), who even eats upon the mountains, defiles his neighbor's wife,12 oppresses the poor and needy, commits robbery, does not restore the pledge, lifts up his eyes to the idols, commits abomination,13 lends at interest, and takes profit; shall he then live? He shall not live. He has done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon himself.
Ezekiel 18:14-18
“Now suppose this man fathers a son who sees all the sins that his father has done; he sees, and does not do likewise:15 he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor's wife,16 does not oppress anyone, exacts no pledge, commits no robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment,17 withholds his hand from iniquity,[c] takes no interest or profit, obeys my rules, and walks in my statutes; he shall not die for his father's iniquity; he shall surely live.18 As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what is not good among his people, behold, he shall die for his iniquity.
Ezekiel 18:19-20
19 “Yet you say, ‘Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?’ When the son has done what is just and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live.20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.
Ezekiel 18:21-24
“But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.22 None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live.23 Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? 24 But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice and does the same abominations that the wicked person does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, for them he shall die.
Verses 21-24 tell us this:
1. The Lord God Does Not Delight in the death of those who Do NOT keep His ways.
2. A Wicked person Who Turns Away from Sin and Follows Him shall be Saved
3. A Righteous person who Turns to Sin and does things of the wicked person Shall Lose all things they have done and becomes guilty and shall die.
Ezekiel 18:25-29
25 “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? 26 When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. 27 Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. 28 Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ O house of Israel, are my ways not just? Is it not your ways that are not just?
Ezekiel 18:30-32
30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin.[d] 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.”
Again in verse 32 God Tells Ezekiel that He has No pleasure in the deaths of anyone. We will next look at supporting verses to help us understand that when we turn Away from Abba Yah, we become blind again and our hearts hardened. Yes, even the Righteous can go back to Sleep.
2. Why Are We Suppose to Pray for All People?
James 5:16-20
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.[b]17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back,20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
3. Who Can Be Saved?
Acts 13:45-50
But when the Jews[d] saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.
It is important to know what the Term Gentile Means
Gentile-G1484-ἔθνοςéthnos, eth'-nos; probably from G1486; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan):—Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
Biblical Outline of Usage of Gentile
a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together
a company, troop, swarm a multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus the human family
a tribe, nation, people group
in the OT, foreign nations not worshipping the true God, pagans, Gentiles
Paul uses the term for Gentile Christians
John 3:16-21
“For God so loved the world,[i]that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
2 Timothy 2:19
19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
We have read that All souls are God's and that He knows Who are His. Our next questions are then, Why are All souls Not Saved if God is Love? What forms of punishment are used, why does He turn away from People?
4. Why are Not all Souls Saved if God is Loving and Just?
John 3:17
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Might be saved-G4982-†σώζωsṓzō, sode'-zo; from a primary σῶς sōs (contraction for obsolete σάος sáos, "safe"); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively):—heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole
Biblical Outline of Usage of G4982
to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction
one (from injury or peril) to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health
to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue
to save in the technical biblical sense negatively to deliver from the penalties of the Messianic judgment
to save from the evils which obstruct the reception of the Messianic deliverance
2 Timothy 2:22-26
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.24 And the Lord's servant[e] must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
May Perhaps-G3379-μήποτεmḗpote, may'-pot-eh; from G3361 and G4218; not ever; also if (or lest) ever (or perhaps):—if peradventure, lest (at any time, haply), not at all, whether or not
Definition of peradventure (Entry 1 of 2) 1 : doubt a fact established beyond peradventure 2 : chance sense 4a beyond peradventure of doubt
peradventure adverb
On one hand God Wants all to come to Knowledge and Truth. But the Knowledge and Truth come at a price that not all are willing to pay. As you can see in the Bible verses above, All Souls are His, He knows His Children but Not All will come to Knowledge and Truth and those souls who are lost God Does Not Delight in their Destruction. Let us continue...
Luke 8:9-15
And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant,10 he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
Yahusha/Jesus spoke in parables because as stated others may not see or hear for they lack understanding. The Parable of the Sower is why Not All people are saved. How many times have you encountered hardships and have turned away from The Lord God Almighty? When we are living not for The Lord but for the world, Knowledge and Truth cannot take root.
These verses taught us:
Those along the their own paths chose to Ignore the Word of the Lord. The choice is satan or God. It is that simple.
Those who are trying to use God's Word when it fits their life fall away from God when things go wrong. These are the people who pick scripture out as a defense to justify their actions and wrong doings. For Example: Many people know John 3:16 but 17-21 is Way more important than verse 16 alone.
Those who try to do the Ways of the Lord but Live for the world fall short because they still love the life they had before they began to understand that God calls us Away from what the world says is good, just, righteous and correct.
Those who are patient, and wait Upon the Lord God to Work in their lives receive the Word, Wisdom, Truth and Knowledge of God who doe According to His Word both in good times and in bad, Never Turning from Him despite All the Hardships, trauma, tests, temptations...keep humble and Meek Always Seeking His Face Prosper
5. Why are People Blind and Unable to Hear? (This will reflect back to Luke 8:9-15)
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
(I have a 3 part series on Who's World is this)
Zephaniah 1:17-18
And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
Romans 8:5-8
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(See the Post on Carnally Minded)
Psalm 14:1
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
6. Why Does God Harden Hearts? Hardening of the Heart and Becoming or Remaining Blind is Gods Judgment Upon the Soul
Isaiah 6:8-13
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” 9 And he said, “Go, and say to this people:
“‘Keep on hearing,[c] but do not understand; keep on seeing,[d] but do not perceive.’ 10 Make the heart of this people dull,[e] and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” 11 Then I said, “How long, O Lord?” And he said: “Until cities lie waste without inhabitant, and houses without people, and the land is a desolate waste, 12 and the Lord removes people far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land. 13 And though a tenth remain in it, it will be burned[f] again, like a terebinth or an oak, whose stump remains when it is felled.” The holy seed[g] is its stump.
Matthew 13:11-16
And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:
“‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 15 For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
Romans 9:14-18
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion,[b] but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
Romans 9:19-28
You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25 As indeed he says in Hosea,
“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’” 26 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’” And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel[c] be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved, 28 for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.” 29 And as Isaiah predicted,
“If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah.”
7. How Long will God Keep Hardening Hearts?
Romans 11:25-27
Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers:[d] a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,
“The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; 27 “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
Nobody is made blind against their will. Indifference to God is what they want and what they follow. Nobody is made blind to God who Desires to See Him.
The hardening of ones heart is both Judgment and Salvation if one Chooses to Let go of this World and Follow God.
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The LION's TARES Ministry sermon on YouTube- for more in-depth explanation
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