>>Luke 12:10
10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him:
but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Spirit it shall not be forgiven. <<
Some observations about the langauge useed here, Shalom.
1) first there is "speak a word against" the Son of man
then there is
2) then there is, depending on your translation, "speak" or "blasphemeth" against the Holy Spirit
The difference in langauge brings up two questions which I have not answered fully to my own satisfaction, yet.
Are the verbs in the two phrases both "point action" type verbs or is one referencing a "point action" and the other a "continuous action?"
I'll need to look into the Greek to determine this.
The other question has to do with the differences in the phrases mentioned above. To speak does not always mean literal speech. One instance of this can be found in Hebrews where it is said of Able --
"though he is dead, he still speaks" The idea is broader, communication of the lifestyle. The first phrase in the passage above certainly denotes literal speech - "speak a word."
The apostle Paul in speaking to the Corinthians described them as a "letter" read by others written on tablets of human hearts by God.
Consider the parallel passage in Matt. 12:24 - Shalom. I think that this captures details which are important. The pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by the ruler of demons. Jesus went on to describe logically how ludicrous this would be -- demons fighting against demons utlimately destroys their power.
Jesus attributed His power to the Spirit and said essentially -- make up your mind whose side you're going to be on. Verse 30.
The similar pronouncement by Jesus appears in 31 & 32.
Now 33 "Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit."
In 34 problem is "that which fills the heart."
I take 31 to reference literal words -- In 32
Jesus was telling the Pharisees that what they had said about Him, although they were lies, could be forgiven them, but a continuation in the state of their hearts -- the ultimate and absolute rejection of Him as the Christ could not forgiven them. This didn't mean they didn't have the oppty to change and let their lives speak "in agreement with" or "for" the Holy Spirit.
I am convinced, until someone can demonstrate otherwise from both passages, that blaphemy against the Holy Spirit or speaking against the Holy Spirit is simply this:
An continuous and unflinching rejection of Jesus as God's Christ and Saviour, until one's death.
You cannot bring forth any good fruit (of the Spirit) until Christ is in you. And you must commit to faith in Him before He can dwell in you. Christ Himself said, "Apart from me you can do nothing."
Unrepented sin, of course, can also cause one to be lost.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
This promise is given to encourage us to come to Him in confession, but even after we have been saved we could elect at some point not to confess. May our hearts always be such that we promptly confess our wrongs to God and to others, as necessary.
Praise God for the mutliple assurances He gives us in His Word that He is eager to forgive the repentant heart and
the ultimate assurance -- my Lord, Jesus Christ.
I don't think that these passages necessarily refer to "end times" at all but are more broadly applicable, unless of course you define "end times" to be between Christ's physical life on the earth and His return.
God bless you Shalom
(Looking forward to more discussion - will try to study a little more before responding again. We all have preconceptions and misconceptions. I always ask God for help when studying and sometimes others more knowledgeable.
Not saying you're worng and I'm right -- just difficult for me to agree, with what I read in Matt. I think the immediately following passages in Luke are directed toward different audience -- his followers, not Pharisees. They had just wintessed Him being called a ruler of demons for perfroming wonderful miracles -- He knew the disciples would be in for the same and worse and used the oppty to give them strong assurance of the Spirit's ever present help and special help in those situations. IMO.)
- Barry |
