Exploring Some Sins (Part 1)
We
have had recent studies on sin and its penalty generally; and on hell as sins’s
wages. We will see that our “sins committed” are forgiven and forgotten in
justification and regeneration; and that the fleshly nature, which causes sins
to be committed, is crucified in sanctification. We have briefly noted some
listings of sins, and the sinful “works of the flesh.” Since the Word is so
specific about death as the eternal wages of sin, a closer examination of the
various sins seems in order; especially in this day and time when sins are
being “explained away.”
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now I commandeth all
men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30). [NOTE: If we pointedly accused people
of being as ignorant about God’s truth as they often
pretend to be, they would be greatly offended!]
Revelation
21:8
8
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 lire and brimstone: which is the second
death.
EXAMINING THE DEFILEMENTS (Revelation 21:8)
Letting “the last be first,” we will begin with the passage in Revelation, where all sins (or sinners) seem to be summarized into eight categories:
Revelation 21:8 "But the fearful..."
THE FEARFUL: This is not the fear of God, which is always commendable. The “fearful” who are doomed to eternal destruction are those who fear men, or Satan. They allow temporal fears to make them reject or neglect God’s salvation. Becoming a Christian may cause one to be disinherited of property or family standing. In earlier years, thousands were put to death because they were Christians. A minority of them “fell away” under persecution. Many feared to openly confess Christ because of their cowardice, being ashamed to be numbered with the believers— dreading the public ridicule. Jesus had said that those who do not confess Him before men, He will not confess before the Father in heaven.
Possibly to a lesser degree, some fear to trust the power and merits of Christ. For example, the disciples were reproved for being afraid during the storm at sea, though Jesus was on board with them. He asked them, “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:40). In 2 Timothy 1:7 and the context, Paul seems to indicate that Timothy was hindered in his ministry by a spirit of timid fearfulness, though God had gifted him to be an able leader. The “spirit of fear” is not of God; therefore, if it is given the upper hand, it could be spiritually destructive.
Revelation 21:8 "But the fearful, and unbelieving,..."
THE UNBELIEVING: These may relate to “the fearful,” as noted above. But all unbelievers in Christ as the only begotten Son of the Father, and Saviour of men’s souls, will be lost, for God has ordained that there be “none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12; see also Phil. 2:9-11). They are unbelieving because they reject all scriptural evidences that Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Unbelief is the first sin.
Revelation 21:8 "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable,..."
THE ABOMINABLE: These are they who are polluted with unnatural lusts—adulterers, fornicators, lasciviousness, and all kinds of immoral lifestyles. Webster defines “abomination” as: “Anything hateful and disgusting—nasty; vile; loathsome.” Proverbs 6:16-19 lists seven things that are an abomination to God: A proud look; a lying tongue; hands that shed innocent blood; a heart that devises wicked imaginations; feet that be swift in running to mischief; a false witness; and a sower of discord among brethren. Some other interesting references: Deut. 1 3:14; 18:9, 12; 22:5; 25:16; Prov. 3:32; 11:20; 15:8; 17:15; 28:9; Isa. 1:13; Luke 16:15; Titus 1:16.
Rev 21:8 "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers,..."
MURDERERS: Basically, it is the violation of the Sixth Commandment— “Thou shalt not kill.” We will look at this in more depth later.
Rev 21:8 "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers,..."
WHOREMONGER: Expositor Adam Clarke lists: “Adulterers, fornicators, whoremongers, prostitutes, and rakes of every description.” Though the word here is masculine, there is little doubt that all immorality of this nature is intended.
SORCERERS: Sorcery is defined as: “The supposed use of an evil supernatural power over people and their affairs.” It is associated with the use of drugs, witchcraft, black magic—the occult generally. Today we are seeing a “revival” of sorcery and the occult. The educational system is saturated with it. Even some churches practice it under “assumed names,” apparently; forms of “meditation,” for instance Yoga. Lip-service to God by means of imposing His name on practices which are actually sorcery, is working unseen leaven in religious circles—New Thought--- Positive Thinking—Possibility Thinking—Positive Confession—Positive Mental Attitude—-Inner Healing—Transcendental Meditation—Visualization—to name a few. Then, there is the current talk of adjusting to different “cultures,” which is only a half-truth, or a one-sided truth. Carried to its extreme, the acceptance of “all cultures” includes the acceptance of other religions right along with Christianity. Truly, the devil is making full use of his “angel of light” costume in these last days, and thousands of deceived souls are both “worshipping” and “dancing” with him!!!
Rev 21:8 "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters,...
Romans 1:22,23,25
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made
like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
IDOLATERS: One expositor has defined idolaters summarily as: “Those who worship or offer reverence to anything but God.” Any “thing” is significant, for this includes the worship of evil men- --such as the coming “beast”—or any creature or creation other than the Creator. This is certainly nothing new. Almost 2000 years ago, Paul wrote of the general population of a much earlier period in Romans 1:22, 23, 25.
Possibly the major difference between idolaters and sorcerers is that idolaters are more open, or less deceptive about what or who they worship.
Rev 21:8 "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."
ALL LIARS: Commentator Clarke has defined “all liars” with these words: “Every one who speaks contrary to the truth when he knows the truth, and even he who speaks the truth with the intention to deceive...by telling only a part of the truth, or suppressing some circumstances which would have led the hearer to the true conclusion.” This definition is worth some careful thought. It should be said, of course, that “truth” may be violated in other ways than misrepresenting God’s word of truth. False witness of any sort must be included.
Revelations 22:14, 15
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
As
John’s “revelation” draws to a close, he gives one last warning in the form of
a formidable contrast in Revelations 22:14, 15. The only
new category of sinners here is “dogs.” In the Scriptures, when people are
called “dogs,” reference is to those of low character; especially those who
have maintained their sinful characteristics despite having had opportunity to
receive the grace of God, but have not done so.
For
instance, in Philippians 3:2, Paul writes, “Beware of dogs...” The context
shows these to have been the Judaizers, who continually insisted on imposing
the law system on the gospel of the grace of God. In the beginning
of the gospel, there were thousands of Jews who fully embraced salvation by
grace alone. These Judaizers had opportunity to do likewise. The fact that
they did not, disqualified them for the inheritance of life.
If you have never accepted Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:
You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. May God through Christ bless you!
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