From: Suzanne
To: The Path of Truth
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2014 4:36 PM
Subject: urgent help needed-please help me?
my story is extremely complicated and i need your help because i am extremely fearful i truly have lost my salvation[if i even had it to begin with] and cannot find hope again: in 1992, on my own i thought i had found jesus and was so excited…did not know how to become saved or anything…
later that year i thought i had a nde and met him[now not sure what i saw or experienced] had other nde-related dreams and visions and thought it was all related-i learned of many wrong things about god, jesu and after-life from these books, videos and such including it was okay to talk to dead relatives etc..-i did not know this was wrong and since have seen the truth here….
i was divorced with a young daughter but was living in great sin[drugs, sex, everything and had already had 2 abortions] when i began to try and read my bible i wanted to stop this stuff but i feel back into more of it shortly afterward….i did not even understand anything about being a christian or that i was in such spiritual danger at this point..
i eventually met this man[i wanted a family so badly] and decided to get pregnant with him, but afterward he frightened me so bad i made up a lie that he raped me and i got away from him…i did not want anything to do with him or my child….found myself alone and in homeless shelter for abused women and wanted to find jesus…was connected to a church and was excited, except i was unwilling to confess this lie i had made about my child’s father…even gave false testimony of it-i was too ashamed of truth and what people would think of me…
despite this i tried to give my life to jesus…because my mother was very abusive to me one day i thought i committed blasphemy against the holy spirit because i deliberately told god that the holy spirit being a comfort was a lie-i hurt so bad and felt so rejected and i think i wanted to know if he was rejecting me too after i said this…i
immediately told him i was sorry and asked him to forgive me…but after this i still was going to fall into more sins…
i was remarried to the man i am still with…no surprise that this began hopeful but quickly turned into a nightmare with inlaws, and him making life unbearable-i ended the life of our baby out of despair and thought that god would send another baby to replace this one[still had a lot of wrong thinking about spiritual things of god] that devastated me and i got pregnant again quickly….
life continued to get worse and i now see why and why god allowed these things to happen…i ended up getting very ill and depressed to the point o being wheelchair bound and bedridden[some was real, the rest was psychosomatic and i was on lots of medications-this has lasted the past 15 yrs] last year i began to realize my spiritual state and was also concerned for my family[they believe in osas]
i do not even know if i was truly ever “born again” although i had attended church and was doing what i knew to do to be a christian[not even thinking of these sins i had done-i confessed to most i knew of but i was not acting christian at all]i even ended up with a false identity because i tried to separate myself from the person i was [still not understanding how this was yet more sin at the time] then i began to call out to jesus and was sincerely asking him to help me and to heal me…i felt he was healing me and getting me off all of those prescriptions but had a very spiritual experience where i felt a terrific horror of the sins i was guilty of including the ones i had one and not even realized it was sin at the time…
i was thoroughly devastated by what i think the holy spirit showed me[i also thought i heard jesus yelling at me that all of these things were held against me….i was so crushed and upset and afraid and i had told god that i was so sorry…i asked him to please help me, but all
this past year has been terrible nightmare wrought with much confusion…
the christian friends we have all are of the grace movement and have told me many things which seem to conflict scriptures and then on top of this being afraid i committed the unforgivable sin has made me severely depressed and even given to episodes of near insanity…in my deepest heart i want to be with god and with jesus and to do all i am supposed to do to love him and to love others, but i know how severely i have lived in such sins and worry i am beyond all hope of forgiveness…
the only answers i have found have been probably wrong based on what i see of false teachers etc., i need to know if there is any true hope at all and what i need to do to find it and to be truly saved and with the one i long for and feel a great love for….please please, i am desperate for help…i am scared for not just myself but my family and friends…all i want is to be right with him and to have repentence and be saved and with him…thanks
From: Paul Cohen
To: Suzanne
Cc: Victor Hafichuk; Sara V. Schmidt
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2014 3:45 PM
Subject: Re: urgent help needed-please help me?
Hi Suzanne,
With regards to your main concern – “i need to know if there is any true hope at all and what i need to do to find it and to be truly saved….” – the answer is an emphatic “yes” – there is true hope, and you’ve come to the right place to find out about and from Him, the Lord Jesus Christ.
We shared your letter (though not your full name or address) at our weekly Sabbath meeting (every Saturday we meet with believers from around the world at 12:00 MST at a text chat room on our website), and several had things to say in response. I’ve copied those statements below:
Carlee says:
I see myself in this from just a couple of years ago.
Darrell says:
yes
me too
Dan says:
The damage of lies
Darrell says:
not just lies the sin nature
Carlee says:
In fact, since the first vision I had, I fell into the same traps (not all, but some).
William says:
wow..
much hell
William says:
but nothing is impossible for the Lord.
William says:
He has already overcome in fact.. and all belong to Him.. thank the Lord she does feel convicted
Joe V. says:
What god would be worthy of worship who leaves “his” creations writhing in such torment on a daily basis…?
Simon says:
If the Lord wasn’t willing to help her, she wouldn’t have come to TPOT.
He wouldn’t have led her here.
Paul says:
Good point, Simon, as she has come asking… “All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37 KJV).
William says:
I dont think she would see her darkness if the Lord wasn’t dealing with her already
Darrell says:
I would ask her if she has understood the true Gospel and the true work of salvation God has provided for us.
Joseph H says:
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:17
Carlee says:
If I may say to her: the drugs you were put on we’re due to your sin, as I myself have been a slave to them for years. The information I saw in this site [The Path of Truth], I didn’t believe and was thrust into near insanity and depression as well. Yet He took me out and took me out of all the false teachings I had been practicing and actions (holidays, images of holy things, false doctrines). Don’t fight it, ask Him to show you the way, and it’ll be revealed.
Carlee says:
Be warned-your family and friends won’t understand. In fact, they may become your enemies. If so, then this is also good, for those who are persecuted are blessed!
Lynn says:
I think I would tell her that she can find the help she needs here and that there is hope. I would also tell her she needs to be willing to face her sins, repent of them and follow the Lord in obedience.
Simon says:
I think The Perfect Breakout would be a good paper for her amongst others.
William says:
Holy Waters!!
William says:
the Lord will give her to love Him
yes.. she will have to look to and trust the Lord… and she will have to learn what that means and walk in it..
Darrell says:
I would tell her, I believe the Lord is in the process of drawing her now!
Beryl says:
A good way to begin is reading: Confession of Sin and How One Is Saved.
Simon says:
She has needed and deserved the destruction she has faced but the Lord is able to deliver and restore which He is doing by bringing her to TPOT to hear of His truth that sets free.
Darrell says:
It is a blessing to see the condition you are in, not many see
Lynn says:
Maybe she had to endure all that she did so she would get to this point and seek Him on His terms
Carlee says:
Yes, Darrell and Lynn! We sometimes must hit rock bottom in order to see we need Him to lift us up
Sarah J. says:
She should read The Good News. I think that would help.
William says:
yes.. I think all the basics, and to take her time.. Repentance.. Obedience.. Here Is the Way It Is
Dan says:
She needs to be told religion is death, a church can’t save her, only The Lord Jesus Christ.
Darrell says:
The good thing is she doesn’t sound like she trying to play the victim but sees her sins as the cause.
Simon says:
She mentioned not knowing whether she is truly born again…would the Lord keep her in the dark about that if she was?
Paul says:
She has had much false teaching, Simon, which leads to confusion
Paul says:
but she also recognizes that she’s been influenced by false teaching, showing she has some light.
Simon says:
Right, Paul. As I also experienced before I first came to The Path of Truth.
Carlee says:
I was this woman, and still somewhat am.
Dan says:
She doesn’t know Him but He is giving her to see herself
Dan says:
We all thought we knew until He showed us we didn’t.
Simon says:
Still learning that, Dan.
Simon says:
There’s sure hope in Him.
William says:
she can also know that there are others who have also been deeply ravaged by sin and hell.. that the Lord is working.. in fact everyone..
Sarah J. says:
I’m really grateful she came to the point to email and reach out for help
Joyce says:
yes, He has lead her to His POT, here.
Darrell says:
amen, she probably feels like she is all alone. The enemy is good at that.
Victor says:
I see one important matter she must do – confess the sin she has been reluctant to confess.
Paul says:
Yes, as Lynn brought up about confession.
Paul says:
I’m confused about what happened in the episode where she falsely accused a man of rape. That remains to be straightened around, I think.
Beryl says:
The lady sounds terribly, terribly desperate. What would and could a line of introduction be? What would our Lord Jesus say to her??
Victor says:
“You’ve been brought here for salvation. He hasn’t condemned you.”
William says:
(I believe many can relate to her devastation by the many sins committed..)
Carlee says:
So true, William
Simon says:
Yes, W.
Victor says:
She hasn’t committed the “unpardonable sin” or been damned forever. However, neither has she ever been saved. Fruits tell, always.
Victor says:
She’s been subjected to the false salvation…greasy grace gospel
“Accept Jesus into your heart….”
Marilyn says:
and the grease is killing her…
Victor says:
Profession of faith means nothing and she knows it, yet listens to many voices telling her this and that, so that she has difficulty knowing what to believe.
Victor says:
She needs to begin to listen to One Voice
that of her Lord
Victor says:
Stop indulging in man’s doctrines and teachings
William says:
amen.. she needs to come out!.. if she is in different church systems..
Carlee says:
Come out and be separate.
Victor says:
When she confesses her sins to those affected, comes clean, regardless of what they may say or do, she will begin to feel the chains broken and the prison door opening
Victor says:
He will remove that terrible burden of guilt
Victor says:
and she will then proceed to coming off her medications; she won’t need to mask symptoms any longer because they will be disappearing
Carlee says:
Yes. There may be some withdrawal, but He will help her overcome it.
Victor says:
How great is her sin? Abortions and all? No greater than that of Saul of Tarsus who killed Christians, whole families, and caused them to blaspheme His Name.
Saul was a murderer
a persecutor of Christians
Trang says:
I recalled the first few months when I believed in the Lord. I heard accusations from Satan ‘to my faces’ everyday then, that I had to say out loud to Satan the Lord’s Words “healthy people do not need doctors, but only sick ones. And that’s the reason the Lord came to earth”
Victor says:
Is it any wonder he called himself the chiefest of sinners?
Yes, Trang
Victor says:
The Great Physician comes to heal
Sean & Dena says:
Sean – I was just thinking of the same verse, Trang.
When Jesus heard, He said to them, They who are strong have no need of a physician, but the ones who have illness. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Mark 2:17 MKJV)
Paul says:
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:6-8 ESV)
Paul says:
She needs to learn the way to acknowledge Him.
Victor says:
She also needs to know that with repentance, turning to Him from sin and self, He will begin to restore all things
Victor says:
Isn’t that what Jesus said to Jerusalem?
Victor says:
“How oft I would have gathered you…but you would not…”
so the protection was removed
Victor says:
and in came Rome to destroy
because of their sin
Victor says:
and unrepentance
Feeling badly for sin isn’t enough
I spent my life as a Catholic that way
All it did was torment me
Trang says:
First repentance and then stay away from known sin
William says:
oh our sins… Lord deliver!..
Victor says:
Without faith and repentance, confession is of little worth.
Trang says:
that is a hypocrite
Victor says:
But I was confessing to a priest, and going through the motions of religion, even if sincerely, but when the Lord began to draw me to Himself, things began to change; I began to talk to and seek HIM.
Victor says:
My trust was rising up away from the Catholic Church and priests to Him
Victor says:
my carnal faith was being replaced with His spiritual gift of faith
In my desperation, I began looking to Him.
And He answered and made Himself to me
Victor says:
Isn’t that the way it works?
Victor says:
Some He simply intervenes with, even though nothing in particular seemed to be happening
William says:
what you mean Victor?
Victor says:
Some come to knowledge of the Lord without a history of searching and struggling, W
Victor says:
unlike what I went through
Trang says:
Yes, V. Thank God that He found me and has revealed Himself to me
Victor says:
it varies
Praise God for that, Trang
He’s working with every one of you
Trang says:
Yes, Praise Him
Joseph H says:
Victor, did you sense desperation from our letter writer?
Victor says:
And I particularly appreciate the differences of expression with each of you, His gift a specialty with each
Yes, Joseph, she is desperate and has been for some time, but now it’s coming to a head
Trang says:
I have witnessed the hands of God in my life
James says:
Amazing Grace!
Joe V. says:
She speaks of the Father as a separate entity from Jesus, as most in nominal christendom do. It’s a tough snare to be free of. Just one example of the false church’s lies which bind.
Victor says:
No man comes to Me except the Father draw him.
and no man can come to the Father but through the Son
They are One.
Victor says:
Neither is there any other name under Heaven whereby men can be saved.
Victor says:
His Own Arm brings salvation, says Isaiah
Victor says:
He gives understanding when we turn from our own
which He also gives us to do
Victor says:
As James said here, “Grace!” [END]
Sara Schmidt (another Sara) spoke privately with me, which is worth sharing with you as well:
[Sara V.] I have a thought, Paul… (though the ones who have spoken up here have good things to say)
[Sara V.] I think she needs to come out of dwelling upon and stressing about her spiritual state. I don’t mean that in the sense of not taking things seriously, of course, for He means business
[Sara V.] but allow that He may lead her in very small matters to start with – things that seem small, perhaps unimportant to her
[Paul] yes
[Sara V.] follow, obey, apply herself in those “simple” matters, and He’ll take her step by step
[Paul] yes, good point
[Paul] leave the rest to Him
[Sara V.] yes
[Sara V.] she doesn’t need to fix herself
[Paul] working out your salvation isn’t one big thing, but the little things God points out
[Sara V.] yes
[Sara V.] it is big, but it’s worked out in what seems small
[Sara V.] or can seem small at times (I think for her that’s important)
[Paul] right
[Paul] in other words, the Lord is here, don’t panic
[Sara V.] yes
[Paul] trust Him to lead you step by step out of hell
[Sara V.] yes
[Sara V.] and don’t despise (turn away from) what may seem like small directions/steps to take.
And James sent us an email with the following words for you:
Suzanne, The Lord has brought you to the TPOT because This is His Will for you. Hang on, don’t give up. He will deliver you, all in good time as He has promised. Put your hope in Him and wait on Him. [END]
So there you go, Suzanne. You have much to consider and read, and not for naught, thank God. The truth will make you free. You just need to know that while the truth is free, following the Lord will cost you everything, just as He promised:
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:33 KJV).
Let us know any questions you might have and tell us how things go. You’re welcome, of course, to join us at any Sabbath meeting. Just let Sara Schmidt our webmistress know (copied here), and she’ll provide you with simple instructions about how to attend.
Paul Cohen
From: Suzanne
To: Paul Cohen
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 3:14 AM
Subject: Re: urgent help needed-please help me?
thank you so much for your replies to my email…i have been afraid i have been either reprobate or apostate and though i want so much to repent from my sins, i am told this is a work of god…i have been asking him to please help me to change and give me a new heart and ind for over this past year and nothing has happened…are you sure i have not committed the unpardonable sin because i told him that thinking i had on purpose because i was that depressed? or that because of the sins i have not pushed him so afr away that he refuses to answer these prayers?
but if i were so evil to not even care then why would i have felt so much conviction and guilt over ti all and long for him and to be made right with him? and despite my confusion over many things about him i did understand jesus had died for our sins and so when i did feel guilt of at least some of those sins i asked him to forgive me and i my all not to repeat them , but not completely
successfully…for so long i thought he had hated me because of what i said to him about the spirit being a comfort is a lie and that i could somehow cause him to love me[thats how much i did not understand him or know him really].
i am desperate for him then to grant me this repentance if it is something i am unable to accomplish myself which clearly i cannot do…my heart feels so hardened and at times very bad thoughts about god will come unwanted into my mind[then i fear he still hates me] or i spend hours trying to analyze god and my sins and figure it all out and end up just more upset…i am not even sure i understand what real love is supposed to be or how to truly and fully love god with all of me and others including my family because i have been so selfish and its just been awful…i hate myself so much for everything i have done to others and especially to god…
the things about my sons father when i accused hi of rape was that i did not have charges or anything brought against him[thank god literally] but i did give a false testimony to others about this over and over and over again in different churches and to family all because i was too ashamed to admit the truth which should have been easy to do and just do it instead of thinking somehow god would just be ok with it…see this is what worries me that he may see me as too far gone and now reprobate and this is why i kept sinning so terribly…
but would a true reprobate feel like hits, this guilt and extreme conviction over it all? this made me a false convert…am i guilty of hebrews 10:26????? i am so afraid of this and that this is why he does not seem to hear my prayers or cries for help…i truly hope he has not given up on me after all of this sins and has decided i am only fit to be destroyed in the lake of fire….i want so bad to be his child and be right with him and to know love and be able to love the way i am supposed to….
From: Suzanne
To: Paul Cohen
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 3:18 AM
Subject: Re: urgent help needed-please help me?
i am unable to barely function but lay in my bed all day and dwell on all of this and can barely eat, sleep or even bathe or do anything[beyond a laziness, i am in the absolute pit of despair….do you think he will really help me and give me this repentance?????????
From: Paul Cohen
To: Suzanne
Cc: Victor Hafichuk
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2014 8:08 AM
Subject: Re[4]: urgent help needed-please help me?
If you read over the letter again with all the comments posted, Suzanne, you’ll see that it thoroughly answers your questions and confirms that the Lord has brought you here for your salvation. He has given you many witnesses on the matter.
“The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 MKJV).
Believe Him and His testimony. Get out of bed and begin to attend on the matters at hand. This is the place to start. One step at a time, the Lord will see you through if you’re willing.
Would you like to join us tomorrow at the Sabbath meeting?
Paul
From: Suzanne
To: Paul Cohen
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2014 3:48 PM
Subject: Re: urgent help needed-please help me?
what happens to those who do blapsheme the holy spirit??? are they forever lost??? i deliberatelt called the oly spirit as a comfort a lie and asked him di dhe now condemn me because i was confused by the consequences of my sins[i did not know that at the time-my mother was being very hard on me] but i was living a horrific lie…i know of others hwo also have said the hs was of the deivl an dall sorts fo bad things but they regretted doin git and then now feel uttely lost…if he wills to save ALL then are we all lost to him in this sin??? i need to know this…i also know you said that i needed to repent but it comes from god..i have been asking him to change my heart and lead me to rpenetance for over a year now and nothing has happened..i am confused on how one repents and if i can still be saved…i may have to endure the lake of fire but if i “did” blaspheme what does htis mean??? i need to know..the conversation di dnot answer this an di am still in a bad way….please please help me???? he doe snot seem to hear me and i have no answers
From: Victor Hafichuk
To: Suzanne
Cc: Paul Cohen
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2014 10:07 PM
Subject: Re[6]: urgent help needed-please help me?
Hi Suzanne,
Here’s what you need to do: You need to come clean with everyone you can possibly reach, setting the record straight. You need to publicly confess you were lying about the biological father of your son. God cannot forgive you until you make things right with your neighbor… “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Wouldn’t you want that done for you after someone seriously maligned and slandered you? Yes, you would. Now you need to do the same. Nothing less will do.
Leaving things as they are, you are damned; correcting them in no uncertain terms, the Lord will forgive you and begin to restore all things as you keep going.
Victor
From: Suzanne
To: Victor Hafichuk
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2014 1:59 AM
Subject: Re: Re[6]: urgent help needed-please help me?
thank you for replying..i am afraid god sees e as an apostate…did i commit the unforgivable sin in either sense? blasphemy or by my many sins? i am not sure i was saved or it was brief and thsi si how some describe an apostate when i fell into so many sins…what do i do about my remarriage? my ex husband has died but i have nowhere else to go …i feel hopeless…i di docm elean and admit my lie to thsoe whom i told it..i do not know what else to do…should i contact the father, evn if he can be a violent person?i am consumed witht eh fear that god hates me and has totally rejcted me for my sins…i di dnot make jesus th elord of my like in this…but i long fo rhim now…i feel so hopeless
From: Paul Cohen
To: Suzanne
Cc: Victor Hafichuk
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2014 7:47 AM
Subject: Re[8]: urgent help needed-please help me?
Suzanne, it’s not a matter of how you feel or what your circumstances are or who you’re dealing with so much as just doing the right thing. There is no situation God can’t remedy by our doing the right thing at hand, and there’s always something we can do or He wouldn’t be calling on us to repent. God is not unjust or unkind, though you treat Him that way.
If you come clean with Him you can rest assured that in due time He will make all things right for you. You’ll only suffer what you need to suffer for your good. In other words, after you’ve done what you’re called to do to the best of your ability, you leave the rest with Him, trusting Him.
Hebrews 10:36-39 MKJV
(36) For you have need of patience, so that after you have done the will of God you might receive the promise.
(37) For “yet a little while, and He who shall come will come and will not delay.”
(38) Now, “the Just shall live by faith. But if he draws back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.”
(39) But we are not of those withdrawing to destruction, but of those who believe to the preserving of the soul.
The truth we speak comes from the Lord and builds the faith of those who diligently listen to what they hear. With that in mind, I have some things to say about your questions and fears.
Your emails remind me of the following story, with the significant difference that instead of your being confident that God will save you, you’re crying out to Him to save you but lack any faith or confidence that He will and that He is truly the Savior of all men. Instead of saying “God will save me,” you cry for help and then say, “God will NOT save me.” You judge Him unfairly and unrighteously.
Listen:
God Will Save Me
A terrible storm came into a town and local officials sent out an emergency warning that the riverbanks would soon overflow and flood the nearby homes. They ordered everyone in the town to evacuate immediately.
A faithful Christian man heard the warning and decided to stay, saying to himself, “I will trust God and if I am in danger, then God will send a divine miracle to save me.”
The neighbors came by his house and said to him, “We’re leaving and there is room for you in our car, please come with us!” But the man declined. “I have faith that God will save me.”
As the man stood on his porch watching the water rise up the steps, a man in a canoe paddled by and called to him, “Hurry and come into my canoe, the waters are rising quickly!” But the man again said, “No thanks, God will save me.”
The floodwaters rose higher pouring water into his living room and the man had to retreat to the second floor. A police motorboat came by and saw him at the window. “We will come up and rescue you!” they shouted. But the man refused, waving them off saying, “Use your time to save someone else! I have faith that God will save me!”
The flood waters rose higher and higher and the man had to climb up to his rooftop.
A helicopter spotted him and dropped a rope ladder. A rescue officer came down the ladder and pleaded with the man, “Grab my hand and I will pull you up!” But the man STILL refused, folding his arms tightly to his body. “No thank you! God will save me!”
Shortly after, the house broke up and the floodwaters swept the man away and he drowned.
When in Heaven, the man stood before God and asked, “I put all of my faith in You. Why didn’t You come and save me?”
And God said, “Son, I sent you a warning. I sent you a car. I sent you a canoe. I sent you a motorboat. I sent you a helicopter. What more were you looking for?”
God has sent you what you’ve needed to hear in order to move forward in His salvation, but you don’t accept it as the truth from Him, so it lays there useless. Not so for the Thessalonians:
“And for this cause we thank God without ceasing, that when you received the Word of hearing, of God, you welcomed it as the Word of God, not as a word of men, but as it is, truly the Word of God, which also effectually works in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 MKJV).
Have you been reading on our site, Suzanne, giving yourself nourishment and strength to employ what you hear? Here’s a writing I suggest:
https://www.thepathoftruth.com/teachings/we-want-you-to-know.htm
As for your specific question about blasphemy, see if this correspondence helps you:
From: Jeffrey
Victor,
I do have a question. I have read about how the church teaches about hell and lake of fire and so on. How does blasphemy of the Holy Spirit come into play? If all will be cleansed with the fire of God in this world or the next what about those guilty of that sin? Will those people be reunited with God after the lake of fire or will they annihilate? Maybe you or Paul could do a lesson on what that is for today b/c I only know from knowledge not wisdom. Some say its not even possible to commit that sin today but only Jesus’ time.
Jeff
Paul: Hi Jeff, Paul here. You ask about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Here’s something from our site (God: All Knowing AND All Doing), in answer to your question in the given context. We’re replying to someone who brought up the notion of there never being forgiveness for those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit, thinking that was a valid objection to the ultimate reconciliation of all men.
Victor: If you think there is never but never forgiveness for blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, let me ask you this: Do you not believe that Saul of Tarsus was blaspheming and even causing others to blaspheme? Here is his testimony:
“And I punished them often in every synagogue; I compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly furious against them, I persecuted them even to the outside cities” (Acts 26:11 MKJV).
He called himself the “chief of sinners.” How could he truthfully call himself such if he had not committed the chiefest of sins?
[Added comment: And we know that the Lord turned Paul, even making him an example of how He came into the world to save sinners!]
Paul: Using the Young’s Literal Translation, you will see that the words translated in the King James and elsewhere as “eternal damnation” mean something much different than what men commonly suppose they mean.
“Verily I say to you, that all the sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and evil speakings with which they might speak evil, but whoever may speak evil in regard to the Holy Spirit has not forgiveness–to the age, but is in danger of age-during judgment” (Mark 3:28-29 YLT).
If a man speaks against me, I may forgive him. If a man speaks against the work of the Holy Spirit in or through me, I cannot forgive him. That man is blaspheming against God, and only “age-during judgment” can deal with that.
It was this kind of judgment that the Lord spoke of to the Pharisees, who also blasphemed the Holy Spirit:
“Serpents! Brood of vipers! How may you escape from the judgment of the Gehenna?” (Matthew 23:33 YLT).
In other words, they couldn’t escape. They couldn’t be reconciled presently to God as were others, like the tax collectors and whores who confessed their sins, of whom the Lord said to the blaspheming religious:
“Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and the harlots go into the Kingdom of God before you” (Matthew 21:31 MKJV).
Those whom the blasphemers disdained would enter before them. That means they (the blasphemers) would enter later. How so? They would be judged in Gehenna by fire, as all men are (Mark 9:49). They would suffer the full fruits of their ways, to the end that they might be corrected (God’s holy essence and intent of judgment), not tormented or destroyed without hope (man’s unholy and vindictive essence and intent of his judgment). While they couldn’t be forgiven then and there, the Lord also specifically and categorically forgave them, these same who crucified Him, on the cross:
“And Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they have not known what they do” (Luke 23:34 YLT).
What you’re saying is that men can choose to accept or reject His forgiveness. What we’re showing you in the writings and from many Scriptures, is that no one can resist His will. If He determines that all should come to repentance, entering into the forgiveness He has made good by His blood shed for us, then so it will happen.
We are giving God His due glory, whereas you, though you don’t know or recognize it, are giving men the glory. If it is up to men to “accept” Jesus Christ as the Son of God, then men have the glory, having somewhat whereof to boast, as you do. If it is up to God to turn a sinner to Himself, then God has the glory. It’s that simple.
You bring up the verses in Revelation 16, where men blasphemed God when He brought plagues on them, as if to say that eternal torment is the end condition of these men. Who says that is so? It doesn’t say it there. You’re reading things into it, using your doctrine to interpret the Bible. Remember; let the Bible form your doctrine rather than the other way around. It also says this in Revelation, after the 144,000 are sealed by God:
“After this I looked, and a vast host appeared, which it was impossible for anyone to count, gathered out of every nation and from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in long white robes, and carrying palm-branches in their hands. In loud voices they were exclaiming, It is to our God Who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, that we owe our salvation!” (Revelation 7:9-10 WNT).
Not to their decision, but to His grace and mercy. Yes, Mike, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God! [End of Article]
Continuing on the matter in a letter to a believer:
Terri, another thing struck me in considering your question: We have seen many people blaspheming the Holy Spirit, particularly in the last several years of our ministry, but never have any of those people been conscious of their sin, confessing it or asking for forgiveness. Not one. Why? Because they have been blinded and sealed for judgment by God, until their time and sentence is accomplished.
We haven’t been able to pray or to ask forgiveness for any of such, like we did with you, for example, when you came confessing your sins. They are in “unrepentance,” as Victor has pointed out.
But notice that we do write and have things to say to these blasphemers, and not simply words of condemnation as we are unjustly accused. We have reasoned with them, given them Scriptures, and have plainly, patiently, and repeatedly laid out God’s case against them in their sins. Why would He give us these things to say if there was no hope for them, forever and ever, time without end? What would be the point? As Paul said:
“If, in the manner of men, I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what is the benefit to me? If the dead are not raised, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!’” (1 Corinthians 15:32 EMTV).
No, we’re given by God the power to speak to the beasts with holy purpose, to seal their judgment with the Truth, which is also the Seed of future redemption and resurrection unto life.
Paul [End]
Here’s another response from Victor to an email asking about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit:
Hi Victor,
I recently came across your web site and have found myself drawn back to it time and again. I have read many of the teachings so far with great interest. I have many questions I would like to ask you. Let me start with one concerning ultimate reconciliation. You have laid out a very convincing argument, and I want to believe it is so. However, there is one passage of scripture which I find particularly troubling concerning this matter:
Mat 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Also, what is the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost? And why is there no forgiveness for it? This is something I have never clearly understood.
Thank you for time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Craig
Victor replied:
Hi Craig,
There’s no doubt Christ died for all and not just a few. There’s no doubt that when He sets out to do something, He, being God, can’t fail. There’s no doubt that in the fullness of times, we will all see and experience the fruits of His doings.
Concerning your question on Matthew 12:31-32, the passage isn’t a difficult one to understand, provided we make no assumptions based on preconceived notions. I just wrote this to another:
“Not believing the Lord and what He has told you edges toward that sin called “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.” Its essence is unbelief. In unbelief, we can never be forgiven, whether in this world/age or the one to come. [Without faith, the Scripture says, it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6)].
“Unbelief is unbelief and it avails nothing anywhere. Indeed, concerning the Kingdom of God, it stops you cold. And if you deliberately decide to not believe Him, it becomes that sin, the unpardonable one, that blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
“But contrary to popular opinion in nominal Christian circles, one can repent of this sin [by God’s grace]. Repenting, that one will be forgiven. It isn’t as though one can never cease that sin or never be forgiven for it.” END QUOTE
Craig, deliberate unbelief is the essence of sin. Choosing sin, there is no forgiveness, nor can there ever be, whether here or hereafter. It is essentially calling God a liar, the opposite of What or Who He is – Truth. When the religious called Jesus’ works satanic, they were attributing His good works to evil-doers, calling Him a deceiver and refusing to honor Him for Who He is.
But is there no hope for blasphemers? You’ll recall that Paul the apostle caused people to blaspheme:
“And I punished them often in every synagogue; I compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly furious against them, I persecuted them even to the outside cities” (Acts 26:11 MKJV).
Paul confessed to being a blasphemer himself:
“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, Who strengthened me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry– the one who before was a blasphemer and a persecutor and insolent. But I obtained mercy, because being ignorant, I did it in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:12-14 MKJV).
Paul wasn’t just blaspheming against Christians, but also against the One Who dwelt in them, which was what made them saints (Christians). As Jesus asked Saul on the Damascus road, “Why do you persecute Me?” (Acts 9:4). Jesus IS the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28). If persecuting Him isn’t blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, what is? Read also The Baptism in the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ Is God.
If Paul was blaspheming against the Holy Spirit, against the Spirit of Christ, it is obvious there is forgiveness for that sin, seeing he was forgiven. Therefore, it isn’t as though the sin continues forever and ever. If that were so, we would have to say that man’s unbelief is greater than God’s grace and power to overcome it.
Romans 5:17-21 MKJV
(17) For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one, much more they who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ.)
(18) Therefore as by one offense sentence came on all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came to all men to justification of life.
(19) For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous.
(20) But the Law entered so that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound,
(21) so that as sin has reigned to death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Craig, if God can’t overcome the gravest of sins, He isn’t omnipotent, and none of us has any hope of redemption. Therefore, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not that omnipotent sin that God is powerless to overcome. His grace is greater. Yes, it is the unforgivable sin, but then, God removes or overcomes it so that blasphemers can be forgiven and redeemed.
Remember, nothing is forever but the Lord Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega. [END]
Back to me, Suzanne: You haven’t been calling God’s work the work of Satan. You’ve simply not believed Him with true faith, so you don’t believe Him at all.
“Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 HNV).
Paul
From: Suzanne
To: Paul Cohen
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2014 11:19 AM
Subject: Re: Re[8]: urgent help needed-please help me?
this helps…i am concerned of being apostate…i am one who fell form grace through wilfull sin after knowing of what jesus did, i was then given over to reprobate mind which is the only reason i can explain why i feel into worse sin , the lies and adultery i committed after…according to hebrews 10:26-31 it is impossible for such to come to repentance and will face the full wrath of god…i have been for some time trying to come back to god and it has not been because i lacked faith..it is because of this state i found myself in and have been in for many years[i was blinded to this for this time and in denial because it hurt that bad]…i only woke up to reality of this after being on drugs for so long trying to deaden the pain of separation from god…i know that is why was sick and depressed for so long…i am scared of judgment and am living hell right now..have been since 1992, but this year i have been made to see the evil i have done and it has been tormenting me 24/7…i am not sure what awaits me and those like me at judgment and the lake of fire…i never wanted to be jesus’ enemy or to trample him under my feet but i did that…i kept trying to profess him despite my lies…and all the while guilty of much sin that i am only now seeing….it hurts to know i have hurt him and so many others in my life…i want to repent but hebrews says it is impossible to do…i have been asking god for a long time for forgiveness and to repent and he has not yet done this in my heart…i am filled with grief and dread of the eternal torment and pain…i wan to be free of this but it is like being in prison…i know i deserve punishment and all will hate me on that day knowing what i have done…i hate myself for this more then i can say…i feel dead inside but cry when i allow myself to feel the fullness of it all…have i misunderstood the hebrews , is this all in my mind? it feels very real and very terrifying….are you sure that the fire is really a correction instead of a painful torment to go on for ages? please, i am so afraid…i understand about faith but as time goes by and my eyes continue to open to reality of my situation i fall into greater pain and dread…if i had true faith to begin with i would never have fallen like i have
From: Victor Hafichuk and Paul Cohen
To: Suzanne
Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2014 2:34 PM
Subject: Stop and Consider
We’ve given you good, life-sustaining food, Suzanne, but it won’t do you any good until you eat, digest, and walk in the faith it imparts to you.
“but this year i have been made to see the evil i have done and it has been tormenting me 24/7…”
The reason you are seeing your evil is because God is making it known to you. The only reason He is making your evil known is because it is His will to deliver you from it. He’s calling you to repentance.
“it hurts to know i have hurt him and so many others in my life…”
Many do evil and it doesn’t matter to them. They continue in their wickedness, growing worse and worse. For you to know the pain of guilt is a sure sign the Lord intends to deliver, cleanse and heal. Just trust and obey Him. He’s doing what He must do, and yes, it’s painful, very much so, but as you believe and obey, you’ll come to a reward that is worth infinitely more than the cost.
“are you sure that the fire is really a correction instead of a painful torment to go on for ages?”
God isn’t in the business of torment as an end in itself. It never entered His Mind. Read our writings on these matters, again and again. Ask Him to show you what He requires of you, which is mainly to believe on Him. Fires are for correction, purging, cleansing…. The Bible says God is a Consuming Fire and it says He is Love. He is One, not a schizophrenic, not a split personality, not a contradiction. He is God, One Lord.
He laid down His life for you. What more do you want of the proof of His love. True, it is not wise to despise His sacrifice and will, and we all suffer to the full according to our offenses, but where sin abounds, grace abounds more. He will bring you through.
“i understand about faith but as time goes by and my eyes continue to open to reality of my situation i fall into greater pain and dread…if i had true faith to begin with i would never have fallen like i have”
You didn’t have true faith to begin with, but whether you did or didn’t, your past is your past. Now you deal in the present and entrust yourself to Him. Should you not deserve damnation for your past? Of course you should, and you do. Admit it, accept it, and never mind trying to preserve your wretched, wicked self. It won’t work. Let Him have His True, Honest, Just Judgment. You’ve got it coming to you and there’s nobody wiser or more capable of meting out that judgment and justice, is there?
Do you know of anyone else? We don’t. He alone is Lord and Savior. The “buck stops” with Him. What other choice do you have but to come to terms and agreement with His Judgment? Acknowledge your sin, accept your punishment, and you’ll be on your way to redemption. It is His will, not yours, not anyone else’s, but His alone. Isn’t that good?
Victor and Paul