We Evangelicals simply do not understand the way forgiveness operates, not recognizing it is only as we walk in the light of God's will that the blood of Jesus keeps on forgiving our sin. To teach someone that once he accepts Christ he is forgiven unconditionally for eternity is to go completely against the Scriptures and to lead the student to destruction. The Bible does not teach this. The doctrine of unconditional forgiveness is a product of the reasoning of the human mind. It is not of the Spirit of God or of the Scriptures.

Ask Jesus if we are correct in this. Don't go to your books to find the answer, or to your brain. Go directly to the Lord until you hear from Him.

The reason Christian people go so far astray is they are not hearing from God. They are going by their mind, their reasoning, based on a few passages of Scripture. If you want to find truth go to Him who is the Truth, not only to the Scriptures but to Jesus Himself. Stay before Him until you know what you are doing. One way or another He will get through to you.

How different the history of Israel would have been had the kings and people kept going to the Lord to discover what He wanted. Whenever they did He responded clearly to them.

How different the history of the Christian Church would have been had the ministers and congregations kept going to the Lord to discover what He wanted. Whenever we go to Jesus we hear from Him.

The Lord Jesus will never tell you that no matter what you do, how you behave, He will keep on blessing you. He will help you change your ways if you ask Him but He will not have fellowship with sin.

We have spoken of the first domain of the Divine judgment, the forgiveness of our sins.

We have spoken of the second domain of the Divine judgment, the rewards or punishments to be given to us when the Lord appears. These rewards and punishments are based on our choices, that is, on how we have responded to the Lord during our Christian life on earth. The fact that we will be rewarded according to our works is expressed several times in the New Testament.

The third domain of the Divine judgment is central to our salvation. It is the destruction of the person and works of Satan from the creation, beginning with the Church.

When the Bible speaks of taking away sin it means taking away the compulsion and presence of sin. It is God's intention to remove sin from the creation, and this He shall accomplish. Jesus Christ is sitting at the right hand of God waiting until His enemies become His footstool.

The day will come when Satan and all the rebellious angels and demons bow the knee to the Lord Jesus. This does not mean they will escape the Lake of Fire by so doing. It means rather they will acknowledge that Jesus is Lord and then will await their sentencing at His hands.

To be continued.