Featured There is none who seeks for God

Ignoring "ARE entering" causes Van to ignore that ONLY believers ARE entering.

The redeemed begin their journey (ARE entering) from the moment they are redeemed and at the event the physical ceases ARE present with the Lord. NONE can truly hinder or even prevent them, though it is evident that all manner of devices and distractions are engaged.

This verse (Matthew 23:13) really has nothing to do with salvation and everything to do with the security of the redeemed having eternal life - that from the moment of redemption, believers ARE entering heaven.

By focusing on the supposed possibility that humans might thwart the work of God, the presentation of this thread has marred the very work of God and security of the redeemed.

Remember that prior to the crucifixion, the authority of the temple was supreme, that the power of the rulers controlled the people.

Just as the RCC does, people considered that expulsion from the temple set their estate in eternity at risk. That was false thinking, but by Christ using the framework of the mindset of the people of that day, He was expressing the woeful condition to the rulers.

It is just wrong to attempt to rip that verse out of the contextual scenario, and also to place in jeopardy the security of the redeemed.

ONLY the redeemed ARE entering; therefore, either humankind can un-save the redeemed by hindering them, or can, by human devices, prevent the redeemed from entering heaven.

Both are foolish notions.

 

It seems Ironic to me. David is the one who wrote this in Psalm14
Psa 14:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psa 14:2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
Psa 14:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Imagine that David was a man after God's own heart. He sought God. This is not all inclusuve nor can it be
MB

 

I believe what David was speaking about is what the fool say's in his heart. Before I was saved I myself said similar things about the Christians I met in church. At the time I thought they were all only fooling them selves. They were only putting on an act.

When I first believed, those ideas left my mind. We have to admit these things are foolish things to think with our hearts. We are all fools before Christ.
MB

 

‘my conscience would not suffer me to accept any more - At the present time. Says nothing about having a change of conscience (like Paul).

Acts 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

We are talking about Matthew 23:13 and the parallel passage Luke 11:52.
as I said - those being held back at the time are able to come back at a later time.

Jesus says nothing about their final destiny.

Admittedly you have a stronger case but mine is not impossible

 

True but just think, we may meet some, maybe all of them, in heaven who were being disallowed by these pharisees (at the time).

 

Me2

 

No proof.

Those entering are believers, not just “doing ok” or “on their way” or they would not be entering at all

 

After all our discussion I agree with your last statement because of the "false starts" I have seen. i.e. Those who start off great but even appear to "enter in" but subsequently fall away, some even years later.

 

What if I may ask made you think they were false starts?
MB

 

They give testimony of a relationship with Christ, are baptized but later they return to their former life.

2 Peter 2
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

This can even happen to "ministers".

2 Corinthians 11
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers (diakonos) also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

"By their fruits..."

 

Agreed
MB