Questions from Feb 6

Q. Is there any reference that demonstrates a Believer committing suicide goes to Heaven or Hell?

Yes. While a bit obscure, it can be said Samson, whom essentially committed suicide to avenge himself upon the Philistines, was confirmed to be a righteous man and went to Heaven.  You may read the story of Samson in Judges 16. In Hebrews 11:32-34, Samson is listed among the heroes of faith:  "And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; ..."

Please also study the answer to the following question and realize that it is extremely presumptuous of someone to assume suicide is a sin greater than other sins that God has forgiven in Christ, and that there are likely numerous sins for which we are not fully aware that we have never dealt with before God when we die. The sin problem has been fully dealt with in the Blood of Christ.  Jesus said the only sin that will not be forgiven is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, which is effectively rejecting Jesus himself, and the truth entirely of one's need for salvation. It approaches on blasphemy to suggest Jesus is unable to forgive even the suicidal Believer, because you are denying his grace!  Repent therefore, and straighten out your thinking.

Simply standing for Jesus may be seen as a suicidal act in many places of the world where persecution is heavy. We must be very careful to define what we deem to be a sinful act, and what is actually a godly act of self-sacrifice for righteousness sake.   Jesus after all, willingly went to the cross -- he said so himself -- knowing full well he was to be crucified.  Certainly we wouldn't say that this was an act of unforgivable suicide!

Q. Can we know we are saved?

Absolutely! 1 John 2 is full of we knows.  It follows closely with the article posted here Is God at Home in You? If the Spirit of Truth dwells inside you HE will testify to you the truth about your salvation, or otherwise convict that you need to settle things with HIM.  Use an inexpensive New Testament or write out the chapter of 1 John 2 and underline everywhere it says "we know" and meditate on exactly what it is that we can know.  The Spirit of God, comes into a Believer, and that Believer can KNOW with all certainty that they belong to God.  That does not mean knowing in the head, it means knowing by the spirit.  This follows apostle Paul's teaching about praying with the spirit versus praying with the understanding; and walking in the spirit versus walking in the natural mind of flesh. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. There is a natural man, and there is a spiritual being in the man. You are a spirit that has a soul-mind, and you live in a temporary shell, a body of flesh and blood. Flesh and blood, however, does not inherit the Kingdom of God.

John 10:28-29 (NKJV): > “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”

---

Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV): > “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Q. Were the angels who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah the men who stood before Abraham?

Yes, two of them, the third was Yahweh himself. Genesis 18 & 19 tells the account.  Three men in appearance showed up to Abraham.  As they looked toward Sodom in preparation to leave, One says to Abraham HE would destroy the cities, while the other two depart to carry it out.  The One is Yahweh himself (a theophany of Christ). Chapter 19 opens with the two "angels" formerly called men.  The term angel means messenger. They appeared as men, but were heavenly beings all along, messengers of God. There is a theme here of redemption for the righteous and judgment for the wicked. God had just announced to Abraham the PROMISE of redemption, the coming miraculous offspring; and then simultaneously announces judgment on the wicked cities.

Q. Who was the Angel in Exodus 23:20ff?

It says "he will not pardon your transgressions; for MY name is in him" (v21)

We do not know.  It may be the same as the captain of the Lord's armies seen in Joshua 5:13.  Some suggest it was Christ himself but this "not pardoning transgressions" seems to oppose the idea with which Christ came, redemption.  It may not be intended to specify an individual angelic being, but is rather a whole host representing God himself.

1. Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come (Matthew 12:31-32).
   Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation (Mark 3:28-29).
   And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven (Luke 12:10). ↩︎
2. From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.
   And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
   saying, ‘The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.’
   Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.
   (Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22; John 10:17-18) ↩︎
3. Τοῦτο δέ φημι, ἀδελφοί, ὅτι σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα βασιλείαν Θεοῦ κληρονομεῖν οὐ δύνανται, οὐδὲ ἡ φθορὰ τὴν ἀφθαρσίαν κληρονομεῖ.
   But I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
   1 Corinthians 15:50 ↩︎