All Works and no Faith make Jack a dull Prophet
March 4, 2015
G.D.O'Bradovich III
introduction
Because I have no natural talent for music composition, I have used a technique where I begin at the end of the planned piece and work backwards to the beginning. The mind will be able to answer the question of “How did the music come to this point?”. This method can be used to write fiction also (For example: “How did Harry defeat Voldemort?” and work to the beginning).
Much frustration can be avoided by starting at the end and not working from the beginning to the end as this avoids the numerous “false starts” and “mental blocks” that are common in writing. This method can also be used for writing research papers. The mind will inevitably “discover” the means of reaching the conclusion. Of course, this technique is opposed to the scientific method where one starts from ignorance, but armed with a hypothesis, to reach a verifiable and demonstrable conclusion. We can see the parallels between the “art” of composition and the “science” of the scientific method. The arts and sciences have different starting points, but both involve the application of the rational mind.
Much frustration can be avoided by starting at the end and not working from the beginning to the end as this avoids the numerous “false starts” and “mental blocks” that are common in writing. This method can also be used for writing research papers. The mind will inevitably “discover” the means of reaching the conclusion. Of course, this technique is opposed to the scientific method where one starts from ignorance, but armed with a hypothesis, to reach a verifiable and demonstrable conclusion. We can see the parallels between the “art” of composition and the “science” of the scientific method. The arts and sciences have different starting points, but both involve the application of the rational mind.
In this paper, the method of working backwards will be applied to Christianity; specifically the Final Judgement as found in the Revelation of Jesus Christ. We will determine exactly what the requirements are to avoid the fate of the lake of fire. I remind the Gentle Reader that the Apocalypse must be a recent creation of the Western Church, since the Orthodox Church does not quote from this book at any time throughout the Liturgical year, whereas the overwhelming majority of the remaining New Testament is quoted. [viz. Greek Lectionary]
We will not question that the Western Churches recognize the authority of the Apocalypse, but will accept this authority as a given for our inquiry. By “skipping” to the conclusion of Christian theology, that is, the Final Judgement, we hope to avoid unproductive ideas, baseless speculation and incorrect opinions.
We will not question that the Western Churches recognize the authority of the Apocalypse, but will accept this authority as a given for our inquiry. By “skipping” to the conclusion of Christian theology, that is, the Final Judgement, we hope to avoid unproductive ideas, baseless speculation and incorrect opinions.
the final judgement
[20:4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Those who did not submit to the beast and were beheaded for their witnessing of Jesus will rule with Christ for a thousand years.
[20:5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
The first resurrection is for the people who will reign with Christ.
[20:6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
This is mostly a repetition of the preceding text with the addition that those resurrected will be priests.
[20:10] And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
The devil, the beast and the false prophet are in the fiery lake of brimstone.
[20:11] And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it...
[20:12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
This is the Great White Throne Judgement where the dead are before God and two books are opened; one of which is the book of life. The dead are judged according to their works.
[20:13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
The sea, death and hell give up their dead and every man is judged according to their works.
[20:14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Death and Hell are thrown into the lake of Fire. We assume this is the same lake where the beast, the devil and the false prophet are found.
[20:15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Individuals who are not found in the book of life are thrown into the fiery lake.
Regardless of the insistent statements of those in the western churches, per the authority of Revelations, belief in Jesus as Lord alone is not sufficient to avoid the lake of fire. Throughout Revelations, people are judged according to their actions or works: idolatry, fornication et cetera. We do not know their beliefs and Saint John gives us no indication to the nature of their beliefs. Any statements about their beliefs would be speculation.
Those who did not submit to the beast and were beheaded for their witnessing of Jesus will rule with Christ for a thousand years.
[20:5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
The first resurrection is for the people who will reign with Christ.
[20:6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
This is mostly a repetition of the preceding text with the addition that those resurrected will be priests.
[20:10] And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
The devil, the beast and the false prophet are in the fiery lake of brimstone.
[20:11] And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it...
[20:12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
This is the Great White Throne Judgement where the dead are before God and two books are opened; one of which is the book of life. The dead are judged according to their works.
[20:13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
The sea, death and hell give up their dead and every man is judged according to their works.
[20:14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Death and Hell are thrown into the lake of Fire. We assume this is the same lake where the beast, the devil and the false prophet are found.
[20:15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Individuals who are not found in the book of life are thrown into the fiery lake.
Regardless of the insistent statements of those in the western churches, per the authority of Revelations, belief in Jesus as Lord alone is not sufficient to avoid the lake of fire. Throughout Revelations, people are judged according to their actions or works: idolatry, fornication et cetera. We do not know their beliefs and Saint John gives us no indication to the nature of their beliefs. Any statements about their beliefs would be speculation.
the book of life
One’s name must be found in the Lamb’s Book of Life to avoid the lake of fire. Due to the significance of the Book of Life, we list the six references to this book:
[3:5] He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life...
[13:8] And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb ...
[17:8] ...they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
[20:12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
[20:15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
[21:27] And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
[3:5] He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life...
[13:8] And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb ...
[17:8] ...they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
[20:12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
[20:15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
[21:27] And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
other statements regarding behavior or works
[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.
The second death is experiencing the fiery lake. We note that the “unbelieving” or faithless are listed along with definitive behaviors.
[21:27]And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
[22:14] 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.
Only those people that do “his commandments” may enter the city.
[22:15] For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
People who behavior misses the mark are not allowed to enter the city.
The second death is experiencing the fiery lake. We note that the “unbelieving” or faithless are listed along with definitive behaviors.
[21:27]And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
[22:14] 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.
Only those people that do “his commandments” may enter the city.
[22:15] For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
People who behavior misses the mark are not allowed to enter the city.
the identity of those who are before the throne of god
[14:1] And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
[14:4] These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
[14: 5] And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
The 144,000 are from the twelve tribes of Israel [7:4-8] and not Gentiles who are before God’s throne.
[14:4] These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
[14: 5] And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
The 144,000 are from the twelve tribes of Israel [7:4-8] and not Gentiles who are before God’s throne.
keeping the commandments
The following are all the references to the commandments in Revelations:
[12:17] And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
[14:12] Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
[22:14] 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.
[12:17] And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
[14:12] Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
[22:14] 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.
keeping the faith
The following are all the references to faith found in Revelations:
[2:13] I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
[2:19] I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
[13:10] He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
[14:12] Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Faith is described as “my faith”, “faith”,”faith of the saints” and “the faith of Jesus”.
[2:13] I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
[2:19] I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
[13:10] He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
[14:12] Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Faith is described as “my faith”, “faith”,”faith of the saints” and “the faith of Jesus”.
conclusion
We premise that the correct understanding of the Final Judgement is not an either works or faith solution. While the Judgement only mentions works, the individuals must also have faith and we must conclude, based on the text, that faith without works is not sufficient for salvation. This understanding is similar to Saint James statements in the second chapter of his epistle where he understands that works flow from and are the result of having faith.
[St. James 2:24] Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
This lack of an either/or solution may be the reason why Martin Luther was not enamoured by either the Book of Revelation or the Epistle of Saint James,
“St. James’ epistle is really an epistle of straw…for it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it” (Martin Luther’s Preface to the New Testament, 1546).
The following are quotes from Luther’s Preface to the Revelation of St. John (1522).
“About this book of the Revelation of John…I miss more than one thing in this book, and it makes me consider it to be neither apostolic nor prophetic…I can in no way detect that the Holy Spirit produced it.”
Luther states that the Revelation lacks certain characteristics and he questions whether it is apostolic. We presume one of these characteristics is the emphasis of faith as is commonly found in the Pauline writings.
“Moreover he [Saint John] seems to me to be going much too far when he commends his own book so highly-indeed, more than any of the other sacred books do, though they are much more important-and threatens that if anyone takes away anything from it, God will take away from him, etc. “
Luther questions why Saint John commends his book more than the generally acknowledged inspired scriptural books commend themselves.
“Again, they are supposed to be blessed who keep what is written in this book; and yet no one knows what that is, to say nothing of keeping it.”
Luther correctly notes that the reader does not know how they are to keep the sayings of this book.
“This is just the same as if we did not have the book at all. And there are many far better books available for us to keep…”
Because of the readers ignorance of what to keep in Revelations, Luther states that the result would the same if we did not have the book.
”My spirit cannot accommodate itself to this book. For me this is reason enough not to think highly of it: Christ is neither taught nor known in it.”
Luther does not think highly of Revelations because the Christ that Luther is familiar with, which we presume is the faith inspired Christ of Saint Paul, is not known in or taught in it. This lack of Christ is, no doubt, due to the repeated emphasis on works and not faith alone.
Up to the present day in German language Lutheran Bibles, the books of Hebrews, James, Jude and Revelation are placed at the end of the scriptures.
[St. James 2:24] Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
This lack of an either/or solution may be the reason why Martin Luther was not enamoured by either the Book of Revelation or the Epistle of Saint James,
“St. James’ epistle is really an epistle of straw…for it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it” (Martin Luther’s Preface to the New Testament, 1546).
The following are quotes from Luther’s Preface to the Revelation of St. John (1522).
“About this book of the Revelation of John…I miss more than one thing in this book, and it makes me consider it to be neither apostolic nor prophetic…I can in no way detect that the Holy Spirit produced it.”
Luther states that the Revelation lacks certain characteristics and he questions whether it is apostolic. We presume one of these characteristics is the emphasis of faith as is commonly found in the Pauline writings.
“Moreover he [Saint John] seems to me to be going much too far when he commends his own book so highly-indeed, more than any of the other sacred books do, though they are much more important-and threatens that if anyone takes away anything from it, God will take away from him, etc. “
Luther questions why Saint John commends his book more than the generally acknowledged inspired scriptural books commend themselves.
“Again, they are supposed to be blessed who keep what is written in this book; and yet no one knows what that is, to say nothing of keeping it.”
Luther correctly notes that the reader does not know how they are to keep the sayings of this book.
“This is just the same as if we did not have the book at all. And there are many far better books available for us to keep…”
Because of the readers ignorance of what to keep in Revelations, Luther states that the result would the same if we did not have the book.
”My spirit cannot accommodate itself to this book. For me this is reason enough not to think highly of it: Christ is neither taught nor known in it.”
Luther does not think highly of Revelations because the Christ that Luther is familiar with, which we presume is the faith inspired Christ of Saint Paul, is not known in or taught in it. This lack of Christ is, no doubt, due to the repeated emphasis on works and not faith alone.
Up to the present day in German language Lutheran Bibles, the books of Hebrews, James, Jude and Revelation are placed at the end of the scriptures.