THANK - YOU
Your note EXACTLY is what I am looking for .
Your point of view expressed as clearly as you can make it.
The reasons you don't think I am correct.
Scriptures quoted to support your understanding
=======Excellent !! =======
I am sick of the junk that has been going on in here (not of of it has been junk but a lot)
I believe that "NO MAN COMETH TO THE FATHER BUT BY JESUS"
So in this I believe we agree. Those prior to the Crucifixion 'in time' and those after NO real difference except in Ceremonial laws and applications.
However I do not believe that the Gospel is offered to "all" as in every man that ever lives.
The following scripture plainly teaches that though many are "called"
yet is shows that not "all" are called.
Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Well said by you that Jesus DID PREACH to the whole world in the Days of Noah...
Did the whole world hear that OUTWARD CALL to REPENT ??
How did Christ preach to them ??? Through His Servant Noah :
Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
2 Peter 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
Do you honestly think That Noah.. the only Preacher alive actually managed to Preach to everyone that was alive ???
Is everyone alive today aware of the Gospel ???
I say no many will die without the Gospel with no hope of salvation !
Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Prior to Christ's Crucifixion 'in time' there was no salvation offered outside of Israel.. You had to join yourself to Israel like Rahab or Ruth.. Gentiles got saved but in very very small numbers.
Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
The Gospel was not offered to Gentiles in General at all prior to the Crucifixion and the rejection of Jesus By Israel after the flesh !
God Blinded Israel in General from "seeing Jesus" so that He would send toe Gospel out into the World in General !
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
God has BLINDED ISRAEL as a "Chosen Nation" UNTIL the fullness of the GENTILES be brought in !
Pharoah was hardened and blinded by God... so that He could work His ELECTION of Israel as a Nation.
There is national election ... there is also personal election !
The rest are left in the condemnation that was worked by Adam in the Garden !!
Pharoah was raised to be a vessel of wrath.. and could not repent !
Romans 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
The "call" that you pointed out in the verse you quoted is "outward an outward Call = preaching... just as it is in this verse ;
Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Those who are the Chosen according to the election of God on a personal level are those who also receive the FREE GIFT of the INWARD CALL of GOD. That was Noah and His family ..The rest of the world was merely called outwardly. Like Pharoah was told about God and told to repent and let THE CHOSEN of GOD go but he could not because God "Hardened HIM"
Jesus did not say :
ALL are CALLED but few CHOOSE - NOT !
He did say :
Many are called but few are the elect....
Thanks again for your quality response.. it was refreshing :-}
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