A Chronological Christmas

The following is a chronological account of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ, combined with the Old Testament prophecies which He fulfilled through His first advent

Matthew 1:18 – Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 

Luke 1:26-32 – And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 

Isaiah 9:6-7 – For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

  

Luke 1:33 – And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Daniel 7:13-14, 27 – I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. 

Luke 1:34-35 – Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

  

Isaiah 7:14 – Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 

  

Luke 1:36-56 – And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. 

  

Matthew 1:19-25 – Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

 

Luke 1:57-79 – Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 

Malachi 4:2 – But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. 

Luke 1:80-2:6 – And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

Micah 5:2 – But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. 

Luke 2:7 – And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

John 1:14 – And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

Luke 2:8-11 – And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Isaiah 11:1-2 – And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 

Jeremiah 23:5 – Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. 

Luke 2:12-25 – And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

Isaiah 25:9 – And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. 

Isaiah 52:9 – Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. 

                         

Luke 2:26-30 – And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Genesis 12:2-3 – And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 

Luke 2:31-32 – Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Isaiah 9:2 –The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 

Isaiah 49:6 – And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. 

Isaiah 60:1-3 – Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. 

Luke 2:33-34 – And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

Isaiah 8:14 – And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 

Luke 2:35-39 – (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

Matthew 2:1-2 – Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Numbers 24:17 – I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

Haggai 2:7 – And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. 

Matthew 2:3-18 –  When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Jeremiah 31:15 – Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. 

Matthew 2:19-21 –  But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

Hosea 11:1 –When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. 

Matthew 2:22-23 –  But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:  And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. 

Luke 2:40-52 – And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Do People Go to Hell Because of their Sins? Building a Doctrinally Consistent 'House of Cards"

Theology is a “house of cards”. When one considers a certain doctrinal concept or perspective, he finds that his understanding is important, not only because of the doctrine in question, but also because of how the doctrine in question touches many other doctrines. For example, if a man believes in original sin, that belief fundamentally influences how he understands human nature; it also fundamentally influences how he views redemption. Likewise, if a man believes in the immanent return of Jesus Christ, that belief fundamentally impacts how he understands the rapture of the church and the tribulation period. To this end, if a “higher”, more foundational truth is compromised by a “lower”, less important truth, people either recognize the inconsistency and so “tune out”, or the “house of cards” of their theological consistency comes crashing down and they must rebuild it from the ground up to conform to these lesser truths. This is how error is propagated, and even often how cults are formed. Theology is not just defined, it is built. It begins with the most basic, most foundational truths and then builds out from those definitions.

It is often preached that people “go to hell because they are sinners” and also that they “burn in hell for their sins”. Indeed, when we preach we emphasize the reality of sinfulness as the essential problem with humanity, so that Romans 3:23 tells us for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Men are sinners, and because we are sinners we have fallen short of God’s holiness and found ourselves in the path of God’s wrath. Thus Romans 6:23 tells us, for the wages of sin is death…; because mankind is sinful, man experiences “death”, defined as separation from God.

The place of separation is called “Hell” in the Bible, a abode of torment which is eventually cast into the Lake of Fire, called by many names, including everlasting fire. The Lake of Fire was not originally created for mankind, but rather Matthew 25:41 tells us that everlasting fire was prepared for the devil and his angels. The Bible is very clear, however, that this place of eternal torment is the end destination of all who sin. Revelation 21:8 says, 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. Sinners burn in the Lake of Fire, everlasting fire, a condition also called the second death. The “first death” being when we “die” properly, and our immaterial separates from the material vessel we call our body. The second death being when the eternal spirit of a man who has sinned is finally and irrevocably separated from the presence of God forever. Everlasting fire.

This essential doctrine becomes the foundation for the message of redemption. For the wages of sin is death, we read in Romans 6:23, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The essence of the gospel is summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. Notice why it is that Christ died: Christ died for our sins. It is because we are sinners that Jesus had to die. It is because the wages of sin is death, and without some reconciliation of this point mankind would be inevitably destined to eternal separation from God, the second death. Paul would therefore declare to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:15, This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. If “why did Christ die” is the question, one could answer no better than to echo the words of Paul, to save sinners.

If sin separates us from God (the wages of sin is death), and Jesus died for sinners (Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners), then it would seem to naturally follow that all who burn in eternal fire one day do so because they are sinners, and so they are “burning for their sins”; as a just payment for their sin. This would be a natural assumption, but foundationally incorrect. While it is true that all men are sinners. While it is true that our sin has separated us from a holy God. While it is true that this separation is the state in which, if we remain, we will end up in eternal fire. It is not true that the sins we commit are the deciding factor for whether we go to the Lake of Fire, nor can it rightly be said that men burn in eternal fire for the sins they commit. How is this possible? This is possible because of the nature of the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross. When once a person fully understands the nature of the atonement, he then can understand the nature of eternal punishment properly. In other words, we must lay the foundation for our theological “house of cards”, and then build carefully upon it Biblical truths.

The foundation of this understanding demands a grace-oriented understanding of the gospel. What is the gospel? 1 Corinthians 15:34 says, For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. Paul taught in Romans 1:16 that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. He would teach in 1 Corinthians 1:23 that the gospel is Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. The gospel is man’s source of salvation.

How does one receive the gospel? The answer is essential to this study, for if one believes that the gospel can be received or retained by any form of human merit, be it effort, holiness, making God the “Lord of your life”, or “repenting of your sins”, then the whole “house of cards” of redemption by grace comes crashing down. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Romans 4:4-5 says, Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Paul would write again in Romans 11:6, And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. If one assumes that God intended His Word to be read as plain language, and understood in clarity and simplicity, then it must be admitted that the only “common denominator” that links every passage in the Bible where the gospel is taught is the “common denominator” of belief, and belief alone.

The true gospel, a gospel of grace alone, becomes the foundation to the theological “house of cards” upon which the rest of this doctrine is built. If one believes a human merit-based gospel, including any mentioned in the previous paragraph, then the subsequent arguments concerning the nature of eternal judgment in the Lake of Fire will not be acceptable, because it is built upon a different theological “house of cards”.

What happened when Jesus died on the cross? The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. On the cross God the Father made His son to be sin for mankind. He poured out His wrath for the sin of the world upon the innocent Lamb of God, of whom John the Baptist would declare that he taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Jesus paid for the sin of mankind. Paul states in Romans 4:25 that Jesus was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Paul quoted Psalm 69:9 when he sought to exhort the strong in faith to bear the infirmities of the weak, reminding God people of the example of our Savior, that the reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. Both of these concepts are well summarized by Peter in 1 Peter 2:22-24, Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. This is the message of the great prophet Isaiah in his Messianic discourse of Isaiah 53, declaring in verses 4-6, Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  And again in verse 12, Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Perhaps all of these verses are best summed up by the Word of Jesus Himself upon the cross, And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46).

Once it is established that Jesus came to save sinners, and that Jesus paid for sin on the cross, the next consideration is the nature of the atonement itself. For whose sins did Jesus atone? Whose sins were paid for on the cross? Indeed, in Isaiah 53:6 we read the words, the iniquity of us all, and John’s declaration was that this Lamb of God taketh away the sin of the world. The most poignant verse in relation to this concept is given in 1 John 2:2, And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. This verse tells us that Jesus satisfied the wrath of God for mankind, making specific note of the reality that this atonement does not simply extend to those who are in Christ, but to the whole world. If this is indeed the case, then the gospel is unnecessary, is it not? If the sins of all men were paid for on the cross of Calvary, then would we not expect that the world has been wholly reconciled unto God, that sin is no longer an issue, and that the world can breathe easy? This is, of course, not the case, and it is at this point that the clarity of the gospel itself becomes essential to our understanding.

Just because Christ’s atoning work paid for the sin of all mankind, it does not follow that all mankind will receive the benefits that this payment purchased. Though atonement was made for all men through the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ on the cross, not all will be saved. John would write in John 1:11-12, He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Most clearly, perhaps, we read the words of Paul in Galatians 3:22, But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. It is true that all men are sinners. It is true that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. It is true that on the cross Jesus was the propitiation of the sins of the whole world. It is just as true that only those who believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved. The nature of this belief is beyond the scope of our consideration today, but it is perhaps sufficient to say it is far more than just agreeing that Jesus died on the cross. Those who are given everlasting life are those who, in the words of Hebrews 6:1, experience repentance from dead works, and…faith toward God. Indeed repentance from dead works is not repentance from sin. Repentance from sin being a work of merit which has no place in the message of grace. Rather, repentance from dead works describes those who acknowledge their sinful state, their need of salvation, their incapacity to save themselves, and the solution to be found in Christ. Outside of this, they rest in unbelief, and remain bound in their sin.

This is how the Bible describes those who are unbelieving. Paul would write in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Paul characterizes the unbeliever by the sins he commits. He makes clear the character of those who shall not enter the kingdom of God. He states that believers were previously of this same character, but were washed…sanctified…justified. That at the moment of belief a supernatural work is accomplished in the heart of a man, so that his character is changed from being defined by sin to being defined by Christ. This does not mean he will stop sinning, but rather that he is no longer “a sinner”. Paul describes it thus in Ephesians 2:1, And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. We were dead in our sins, but have been made alive. At that moment, (called variously “the new birth”, “salvation”, “being born-again”, among others) Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.

These facts lead us to a question, and a major point of contention among many orthodox systems of Bible interpretation: when Jesus died on the cross, did He actually pay for the sins of all mankind, only some of mankind, or just offer “potential” for the sins of mankind to be paid? Several theories exist, drawn by the major theological division among denominations and theological systems.

Reformed believers assert that the blood of Jesus Christ was only shed for those who would be saved, those the Bible calls the elect. This doctrine flows naturally out of their erroneous belief that God has predestinated men and women to heaven or hell. If this is the case that all men, from eternity past, are indeed chosen for eternal life or eternal fire, then it would be ridiculous to assume that Jesus’ death was for the whole world. Jesus would not need to die for those who had no chance of redemption. Thus, they believe that Jesus atoned only for the sins of the elect. Unfortunately, this is not what the Bible says, for as we have stated already in 1 John 2:2, And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Jesus is either the propitiation for the whole world, or He isn’t…and He is. It is acknowledged that this is a simplistic argument, and one which many a reformed theologian has tackled with gymnastic aplomb. Yet it is that, in the beautiful simplicity of the Word of God we find this humble truth, that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, not only for the elect.

In other circles, the nature of Jesus’ redemptive work is broader. They acknowledge that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, but would characterize it (though they may not admit this) as a provisional atonement. In other words, that Jesus made provision for all sin to be atoned, but that this provision is only applied to the hearts of those who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. To this end, the wrath of God for sin still rests upon the unbeliever. They are positioned for Hell because they are sinners, and they still bear their sin, and if they die in their sin then they will have to bear the punishment of the sins they commit for eternity. Such ideas are a natural outworking of those who believe that a person must “repent of their sins” in order to be saved. For indeed, if a man must repent of his sins to be saved, then it is at this moment of merit-based sorrow, a concept foreign to salvation in the Bible, that God chooses to apply Jesus’ work to their sins. This concept is, at its root, an offence to salvation by grace, and finds no consistent basis in the Scriptures. If one were to take every instance where some standard other than belief alone is included in the gospel message, one would be forced to acknowledge not only repentance of sin as a basis for salvation (Mark 1:15), but also baptism (Luke 3:3), confessing with your mouth (Romans 10:9), and any number of the various contextual presentations regarding the nature of belief as it related to various people groups at various times and placed. Yet if we simplify every presentation of the gospel down to its “common denominator”, belief alone in the gospel stands as the supreme standard by which a sinner saved. As Jesus said in John 5:24, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

We have considered already some of the reasoning for a position that would believe men to spend eternity burning in punishment for their sins. Paul calls the unbelievers dead in trespasses and sins in Ephesians 2:1. He states in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God, then proceeds to a list of various sins which characterize these unrighteous. Paul says a similar thing in Galatians 5:19-21, Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. In each of these cases we find definitive statements about the character of those who will not enter the kingdom of God: that men whose character is defined by sin and wickedness shall not inherit the kingdom. To this end, these circles believe that Jesus’ death was sufficient to make provision for all men to be saved, and made provision for the wrath of God to pass over men and women who believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved; but that those who reject this salvation will go to eternal fire as a payment for their sins. Consequently, among these groups there is cause for disagreement as to how long that payment will last. Indeed, if men burn in the Lake of Fire to pay for their sins, then there is cause to admit the possibility that those who “sin less” may burn for less time than those who “sin more”.

In either case, to follow this line of reasoning is to admit that Jesus’ death did not actually atone for the sin of all mankind, because if a man does not accept the gift of eternal life by belief in the gospel, then he spends the rest of his eternity paying for those very sins. The line of thinking simply cannot be entertained that men will burn in the Lake of Fire for sins already atoned for by Jesus Christ, so then Jesus must not have fully atoned for them. Once again, however, this line of reasoning conflicts with the simple foundational truth of 1 John 2:2, And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And remember what we are attempting to do here: build our theological “house of cards”. Each “lower truth” must rest upon the firm foundation of a “higher truth”. If Jesus had just made provision for the sin of mankind to be atoned, and if each unbeliever bears the weight of his own sin into eternity, can Jesus truly be called the Last Adam? Does this line of thinking properly account for the teaching of Paul in Romans 5:19, For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous? Does this rationale really fulfill the prophet words of Isaiah 53:6, …and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all?

Must it naturally follow that the reason why sinners do not enter the kingdom is because they do sinful things? Must it naturally follow that the reason why they experience eternal fire is because of their sin? Or does the Bible explain things differently? Can it be that Jesus did in fact atone for the sin of the whole world, but that people will still burn in the Lake of Fire for eternity? This is, in fact, what the Bible teaches.

It has been established already that the Bible teaches the condition upon which men are saved, and so the condition upon which they enter the kingdom of God, is salvation by grace, through faith, in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. What we furthermore find, however, is that the condition upon which people do not enter the kingdom of God, as presented in the Bible, is not their sinful deeds, but rather only one singular sinful deed: unbelief. John 3:16-18 says For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  We then read in John 3:35-36, The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. These verses state very plainly that the condition of condemnation is not a man’s sinful deeds, but rather because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. It then states that the wrath of God abides upon men, not because they are doing said sinful deeds, but because he believeth not the Son. If these verses are to be believed, not only is the exclusive condition for heaven “belief alone in the gospel of Jesus Christ”, but the opposite is also true: that the exclusive condition for the Lake of Fire is he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

In John 16 Jesus promises to His disciples that, when He goes away, He would send to them His Holy Spirit, called the Comforter. Jesus promised that this Comforter would have a role in convincing the world of the truth of the gospel. Notice how Jesus describes this convicting work of the Holy Spirit in John 16:8-11: And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. Jesus gives three points of doctrine of which the Holy Spirit would convict the world: of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. Jesus then defines what He means by each of these points of doctrine. Of sin, Jesus says, because they believe not on me. Jesus says that the sin of which the Holy Spirit would convict men is not their multitude of sins, but only one sin: the sin of unbelief.

Within this line of interpretation great clarity is given to Jesus’ words in Mark 3:28-29 as well. Jesus says, Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation. Jesus states here that there is an unforgiveable sin, which He says is for one to blaspheme against the Holy Ghost. Jesus states that all sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men save this one. If the 1 John 2:2 is correct, then on the cross all sins were forgiven unto the sons of men; Jesus was the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. Then, Jesus would say, there is only one unforgiven sin: one sin for which the atoning work of Jesus Christ cannot pay: not believing in the atoning work of Jesus Christ. There is only one sin that stands between mankind and God: blaspheming the convicting work of the Holy Spirit in the heart when He divinely convicts a man of the sin of unbelief.

If this is true: if indeed it is not only that belief is the exclusive condition of eternal life, but also that unbelief is the exclusive condition of eternal judgment, and the exclusive sin for which men will face eternal fire, then we should expect these principles to be reflected in judgment passages. As Paul warns in 2 Thessalonians of the great falling away and the working of the mystery of iniquity and the revelation of that Wicked which we would believe to be the time of the tribulation, he describes a world which will be deeply deceived by evil. He writes in 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Paul says that the damned are those who believed not the truth. In Revelation 20:11-15 we read these words, And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. The Bible tells us that at the great white throne of judgment books were opened, and another book was opened. In the books were written the works of men, and every man is judged according to his works. While it would not seem that believers will stand before the judgment of the great white throne, the Bible makes it clear that believers too will be judged by their works. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:10, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. For the believer, our works will determine our eternal rewards. In the case of the unbeliever, we know that the day of judgment will be more tolerable for some unbelievers than others. Indeed, Jesus told the cities of Galilee, Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. (Luke 10:13-14). In each of these judgments, however, there is another book that is opened. This book is called the book of life, and Revelation 20:15 tells us that it is this book which determines who enters into life everlasting, and who is cast into the Lake of Fire.

Within the perspective presented here is theological and doctrinal consistency. It explains how Jesus could be the Last Adam, regaining all that was lost in Adam. It explains how Jesus could simultaneously be the propitiation for the sins of the whole world and still condemn the unbeliever to eternal judgment. It properly refutes those who would try to argue that men can graduate out of judgment through enough years of “burning off their impurities”. It explains how Jesus’ blood could be shed for the lost without being wasted. Much more than this, however, the doctrinal “house of cards” that can be built on top of this truth is, in a word, liberating. It highlights the reality of grace, magnifies the truth that the redeemed will have no basis for which to boast in his own merit, and even establishes the deepest foundations for arguments of eternal security; for if indeed salvation is truly by grace alone, earned or held by no merit of my own, then the claim that I could somehow lose it, or fall short of it, is nonsensical.

These truths can change the way we understand evangelism. Many believers (particularly outside of reformed circles) feel tremendous guilt over the amount that they evangelize, and more specifically tremendous pressure regarding how to evangelize. Many believers suffer under the guilt of not “knowing enough”, of not having “convincing arguments” to prove people are sinful enough, or that they need to be saved. They feel as though it is their job to be “compelling” and so “win people to Christ”. Now, there is nothing wrong with being compelling, or having good arguments. But when we build our understanding of evangelism upon a proper doctrinal “house of cards”, we are reminded that the condition for heaven or hell is belief on Christ alone. The message is simple, and is indeed the best of news: Jesus has already done the work, your sin is paid for, and it is for simply to receive the gift. This is a message we can all give, and then trust the Holy Spirit to convict their hearts, and help guide them into the fullness of these truths. Furthermore, it strongly rebuts any argument that “all roads lead to heaven”. Jesus is, and indeed must be, the only way, for indeed, His atonement is the only sufficient payment for sin, and all who rest under God’s judgment for eternity do so, not because they were “bad people”, but because they have not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

These truths can also change the way we live as believers. Many believers struggle with feeling “released” from their sins when they confess them. They know that they are forgiven, but they still rest under the guilt and the condemnation of their sinful tendencies and deficiencies. Paul tells us, however, in Romans 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. It may be that the reason why believers still rest under self-condemnation for their sinful choices, even after confessing them, is because they misunderstand redemption. If Jesus atoned for every sin – past, present, and future – of every man on the cross, then the wrath of God was fully, utterly, and completely satisfied against the sin of the world on the cross. To this end Jesus taught in John 5:21-27, For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. God has transferred all judgment to the Son, because the wrath of the Father against the world has been assuaged. Jesus’ wrath rests upon those who have rejected Him. At the moment of salvation, the Great Judge of all the earth becomes the One who calls us my friends (John 15:14), and the Father Who committed all judgment into our Friend’s hands is called our Father. Paul would go on to ask in Romans 8:31-39, What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  This power, while it most certainly can be understood regardless of one’s direct perspective on the nature of eternal punishment, is consistently established and deeply magnified as it is built upon the “house of cards” of the complete atoning work of Jesus on the cross. This liberates us to serve the Lord, not in bondage, not in obligation; but to serve Him the way we were designed to serve Him: in abject love.

Finally, these truths help us reject judgmentalism and magnify grace. We are reminded by the condition of “belief alone” that eternal life and eternal judgment are not constructed based on moral aptitude. Just as no man will be in heaven for his own righteousness, the Lake of Fire is not about “evil men”, it is about rejection of Christ. Will evil men be in the Lake of Fire? Absolutely. Will many moral men be there as well? Jesus said in Matthew 7:22-23, Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. When we look at the unbelieving world, we are tempted to resent them for their sinfulness. We then remember that we too are sinful, that the only thing standing between us and the death we deserve is the grace of Christ, and that this grace is extended to other evil men as well, for indeed, 1 Timothy 2 tells us that Jesus will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. It is an unfortunate reality of the heart of men that we comfort ourselves in trouble and tribulation by considering the reality that people will burn in the Lake of Fire “for their evil”. That a man like Adolf Hitler is now “burning in Hell for His evil”. That evil men alive right now will one day “burn in Hell for their offenses”. Yet when we gain a perspective of the complete atonement of Jesus Christ, we are reminded that Jesus was already punished for the evil of Adolf Hitler. That the evil of men was poured out on Christ. That our Savior was stricken for their misdeeds already. To this end, Adolf Hitler will burn in eternal fire for the same reason anyone else will: because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Such a perspective is able to melt the heart of stone and give us the compassion necessary to obey the commission of our Lord in Matthew 5:43-48, Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. It becomes much easier to love the unlovely when we realize Jesus bore the wrath for their evil choices, and that the Lake of Fire is not reserved for their misdeeds, but for their unbelief.

The “house of cards” we have built today, in summary, looks something like this: At its foundation is the conviction that Jesus’ death on the cross secures full and complete atonement for the sins of all the world – every sin of every man past, present, and future. On top of this truth we build an understanding that God the Father has decreed that faith in His Son is the exclusive qualification for eternal life, and any man who rejects faith in His Son is thus condemned to eternal torment for the blasphemy of rejecting the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, commissioned to convince the world of the sin of unbelief in Jesus Christ’s atoning work. This level of doctrine emboldens us to reject the idea that men can eventually get out of the Lake of Fire when they have been punished sufficiently “for their sins”. We rest in the reality that all judgment has been given unto the Son, who is our friend, and who will avenge us against all wrongs committed by those who have rejected Him as their Savior. On top of this truth we build the conviction that we dare not judge men based on pure moralism, for indeed all such legal expectations are fulfilled in Christ. It enables us to love those we would be predisposed to hate. We are blessed with the joy of “full release”, delighting in the power of the atonement to provide for us, not only atonement from sin, but absolute release from the wrath of God and the joy of living in complete fellowship with the Creator God. Finally, it helps us remember the context within which we evangelize: we tell a message of joy to those who do not have it. It is a simple message, backed by the convincing power of the Holy Spirit to show men that they need to believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved.

In this case, the whole is more than the sum of its parts. What is created here is a consistent doctrinal and theological position that emphasized what the Bible emphasizes, and avoids many of the pitfalls that often accompany other theological viewpoints. It is a liberating point of view which magnifies the atoning work of Christ, the overwhelming grace of God, and the preeminence of Jesus as the only way to heaven.