Note: I posted this on another board and the first SIX replies were not even ABOUT the topic... <<<Shakin my head >>>>
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Woe Unto Thee!
I've heard that Jesus knew what would happen in the lives of people... do you believe that?
Lots of people do... I'd like to share a question or two that I discussed with some co-workers long ago...
Long ago... there were two cities...
Chorazin... and Bethsaida
During Christ's ministry, He did mighty works in several cities... Chorazin and Bethsaida were among those cities.
Evidently, they either ignored or simply rejected His miracles and went about their lives as usual.. They did not, or would not repent..
Mat 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
Mat 11:21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Mat 11:22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
I'd like you to consider with me what is said here... most of you will simply think that I'm spouting cult stuff, but really... I'm just reading and accepting what the scriptures say..
Look at it! Tyre and Sidon... two more mighty cities... sinful and rebellious... but, if we look closely, we see that little word.....IF....
"if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. "
They did not repent in sackcloth and ashes... they did not repent at all...
They suffered for their sins...
Did they have to? Couldn't God have prevented their suffering? With God all things are possible!
And, what would have happened IF He had... 'done the mighty works that were done in
Chorazin and Bethsaida'...???
Let me make it more clear... I'm told that this life is our only hope... You agree?
Sure... you've heard that all your life as well... but wait! Tyre and Sidon didn't get the same chance as Chorazin and Bethsaida... They COULD have repented of their evil ways... IF...
IF they could have had the same mighty works done in them...
God could have saved them... IF....... IF He knew they would have repented, why didn't He DO what was necessary to see that they had what they needed?
This is not the only instance of this type thing... Look...
Sodom... DESTROYED! All the residents KILLED...(except for Lot and his family)...
Mat 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
The city, and the PEOPLE could have been saved from certain death, and Sodom would have remained "until this day" ..... IF..... If God had simply gone in there and done some mighty works!!... but He did not... Did He know in advance that they could be saved? Did He realize that just a few mighty works was all it would take to prevent the tremendous loss??
Was that fair to Sodom? Was that fair to Tyre and Sidon?
I'm sure some will chide me for asking such questions, but... really... If this life is the only chance we have...
Phil
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