{"id":3002,"date":"2023-05-30T23:27:49","date_gmt":"2023-05-30T23:27:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/admin.sunesishq.com\/?p=3002"},"modified":"2023-05-31T13:08:08","modified_gmt":"2023-05-31T13:08:08","slug":"abrahams-bosom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sunesishq.com\/notes\/abrahams-bosom\/","title":{"rendered":"Abraham\u2019s Bosom"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">In Luke 16, we have the story of two people. The first was \u201ca certain rich man who [<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">habitually<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">] clothed himself in purple and fine linen and reveled and feasted and made merry in splendor every day\u201d (Luk 16:19, AMPC). The second was a poor man \u201cnamed Lazarus, [<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">reduced to begging alms and<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">] covered with [<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">ulcerated<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">] sores.\u201d (Luk 16:20, AMPC). This poor man was dropped down and left at the rich man\u2019s gate so that he could beg. \u201cHe [<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">eagerly<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">] desired to be satisfied with what fell from the rich man&#8217;s table; moreover, the dogs even came and licked his sores.\u201d (Luk 16:21, AMPC).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">When both died, they both ended up in Hades.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Luk 16:22-23<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(AMPC)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: initial; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">22<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0And it occurred that the man [<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">reduced to<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">] begging died and was\u00a0<strong>carried by the angels to Abraham&#8217;s bosom<\/strong>. The rich man also died and was buried.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: initial; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">23<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0And\u00a0<strong>in Hades<\/strong>\u00a0(the realm of the dead), being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">In this story, we learn the following: Hades has two compartments distinct from each other in the sense that one compartment holds the unrighteous and wicked and the other those who had a righteousness apart from the one secured through Jesus\u2019 death and resurrection (Rom 4:25). There\u2019s more than one type of righteousness, and we will discuss it in brief later in this write-up. Suffice it to say; the righteous had different quarters in Hades.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">And yet both compartments were near one another such that the rich man in one compartment could communicate with Abraham in the other compartment. The Jews, prior to Christ, had this idea of Hades having two compartments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">The compartment holding the unrighteous and wicked was full of torment and anguish and in flames. The compartment for the righteous did not have flames\u2014neither was it filled with torment or anguish. Presumably, they even had water. We see that in the following verses:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Luk 16:23-24<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(AMPC)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: initial; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">23<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0And in Hades (the realm of the dead),\u00a0<strong>being in torment<\/strong>, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: initial; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">24<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0And he cried out and said, Father Abraham, have pity\u00a0<em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';\">and<\/span><\/em>\u00a0mercy on me and send Lazarus to d<strong>ip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue<\/strong>, for I am in\u00a0<strong>anguish in this flame<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">Abraham reminded the rich man that he was reaping a lifetime of living for himself and not for God. In other words, there is a consequence to how we live on earth. Abraham could not fulfil the rich man\u2019s wish because, in Abraham\u2019s words, \u201c\u2026 between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who want to pass from this [place] to you may not be able, and no one may pass from there to us\u201d (Luk 16:26, AMPC).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">From this, we learn that another characteristic of these two compartments is that they were separated by \u201ca gaping opening, a chasm or a gulf\u201d such that those in one compartment could not pass over to the other.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">WHY DID THE RIGHTEOUS GO TO HADES?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">First, it is important to understand that this realm was never created for man because man was never supposed to sin nor die. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). But man sinned. The consequence or wage of sin is death. Death is an enemy that shall one day be destroyed forever.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">1Co 15:26<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(KJV)<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0The last enemy\u00a0<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">that<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0shall be destroyed\u00a0<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">is<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0death.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">Adam introduced it into the human race by committing high treason against God. Ever since then, man was born a sinner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Rom 5:12<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(KJV)<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0Wherefore, as\u00a0<u>by one man<\/u>\u00a0<strong>sin entered into the world<\/strong>, and\u00a0<strong>death by sin<\/strong>; and s<u>o death passed upon all men<\/u>, for that\u00a0<strong>all have sinned<\/strong>:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Rom 3:23-24<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(KJV)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: initial; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">23<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0For\u00a0<strong>all have sinned<\/strong>, and come short of the glory of God;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: initial; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">24<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">V23 tells us the state of all men\u2014including Abraham, David, and the Old Testament saints before Jesus came to take care of the sin and death problem. They died spiritually and so had to be relegated to the realm of the spiritually dead\u2014hades.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">To understand this, we must go back to:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Gen 2:17<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(KJV)<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\"> But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof <strong>thou shalt surely die<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">When Adam ate, he and his wife both walked about physically, so did God lie? No God was referring to true death, which is separation from God\u2014a loss of the nature of God, the death of the spirit of man. Sinners may be animate, but they are spiritually dead.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">Since Adam, all men born are born spiritually dead or are born as sinners.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Psa 51:5<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(TLB)<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0But\u00a0<strong>I was born a sinner<\/strong>, yes,\u00a0<u>from the moment my mother conceived me<\/u>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Psa 51:5<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(AMPC)<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0Behold, I was brought forth\u00a0<u>in [<\/u><\/span><em><u><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">a state of<\/span><\/u><\/em><u><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">] iniquity<\/span><\/u><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">; my mother was sinful who conceived me [<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">and I too am sinful<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">]. [<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Joh 3:6<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">;\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Rom 5:12<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">;\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Eph 2:3<\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">]<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">Men were born sinners or spiritually dead until Jesus came to sort out the sin and spiritual death problem\u2014and introduce the opportunity to be born again or anew, but this time being born righteous without sin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Eph 4:24<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(AMPC)<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0And put on the new nature (the regenerate self)\u00a0<strong>created<\/strong>\u00a0in God&#8217;s image, [<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">Godlike<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">]\u00a0<strong>in true righteousness and holiness<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Joh 1:12-13<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(KJV)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: initial; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">12<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,\u00a0<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">even<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0to them that believe on his name:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: initial; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">13<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0Which were\u00a0<strong>born<\/strong>, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man,\u00a0<strong>but of God<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">One may get confused and say, \u201cbut Moses lived as a righteous man,\u201d but the truth is the righteousness of the Old Covenant is not the same as that which is of the New Testament in Christ Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Isa 64:6<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(KJV)<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0But we are all as an unclean\u00a0<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">thing,<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>all our righteousnesses\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><strong><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">are<\/span><\/em><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0as filthy rags<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">; and we all do fade as a leaf; and\u00a0<u>our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away<\/u>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">True righteousness comes from faith in Christ.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Php 3:9<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(AMPC)<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0And that I may [<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">actually<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">] be found\u00a0<em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';\">and<\/span><\/em>\u00a0known as in Him, not having any [<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">self-achieved<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law&#8217;s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired),\u00a0<strong>but possessing that [<\/strong><\/span><strong><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">genuine righteousness<\/span><\/em><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">] which comes through faith in Christ\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">(the Anointed One), the [<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">truly<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">] right standing with God, which comes from God by [<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">saving<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">] faith.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">Sin or Iniquity is a spiritual condition that causes another spiritual condition: a separation from the source of all true life\u2014God Almighty. Sin caused death. This spiritual death is what makes physical death possible. This is why Jesus had to become sin, else he would not have physically died\u2014just like the first Adam would never have died had he never sinned. When Jesus became the sin of man, His Father forsook him because God cannot look upon sin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Mat 27:46<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(KJV)<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying,\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #da3737;\">Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? <\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">that is to say, My God, my God,\u00a0<strong>why hast thou forsaken me<\/strong>?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Hab 1:13<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(KJV)<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">Thou art<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0of purer eyes\u00a0<strong>than to behold evil<\/strong>, and\u00a0<strong>canst not look on iniquity<\/strong>: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously,\u00a0<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">and<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth\u00a0<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">the man that is<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0more righteous than he?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">If He cannot look upon sin, He can definitely not admit sinners into his abode\u2014heaven. Thus prior to the cross, he had a temporary place to hold those who died before Jesus came to handle the sin problem. The wicked went to the compartment of torment, and those who stove to live to please God went to a compartment named Abraham\u2019s bosom.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">After Jesus handled the sin problem with his substitutionary sacrifice, he took the keys of hell and death and set the \u201crighteous\u201d occupants free.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Mat 27:50-53<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(AMPC)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: initial; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">50<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: initial; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">51<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0And at once the curtain of the sanctuary of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split. [<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Exo 26:31-35<\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">]<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: initial; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">52<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0The\u00a0<strong>tombs were opened<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep in death were raised<\/strong>\u00a0[<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">to life<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">];<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: initial; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">53<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0And\u00a0<strong>coming out of the tombs<\/strong>\u00a0after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and\u00a0<u>appeared to many people<\/u>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">How do we know Satan no longer has the keys of death and hades and that Jesus our Lord has them? Because he told his favourite disciple when they met in heaven:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Rev 1:17-18<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(AMPC)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: initial; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">17<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if dead. But He laid His right hand on me and said, Do not be afraid! I am the First and the Last, [<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Isa 44:6<\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">]<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: initial; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">18<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0And the Ever-living One [<\/span><em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">I am living in the eternity of the eternities<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">]. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore; and I possess\u00a0<strong>the keys of death and Hades<\/strong>\u00a0(the realm of the dead).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">Since this victory over death, hades and the dragon himself, man no longer has to go to a compartment in hell if he is born again. Why? Because they are no longer sinners but rather born again with the righteousness and life of God. God\u2019s life has supplanted death. The born-again has the nature and life of God, and God need no longer stay away from them. They are seated in heavenly places in Christ. Now God indwells them. Hades hence is now for only the unrighteous. The following is confirmed by the Complete Word Study Dictionary in its definition of Hades. It states:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 28pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u201cPsa 16:10 in an application of OT faith in the advent of Christ, His death, and His resurrection. Therefore, it has again the meaning of the world of the departed into which Christ passed like other men, but only to\u00a0<strong>transform its nature from a place accommodating both believers and unbelievers to one for unbelievers only<\/strong>\u00a0(Mat 11:23; Mat 16:18; Luk 10:15; 1Co 15:55; Rev 1:18; Rev 6:8; Rev 20:13-14) \u2026Hades itself later becomes the\u00a0<strong>exclusive place for unbelievers<\/strong>. It is cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:14), while the reign of the just becomes paradise (Luk 23:43; 2Co 12:4; Rev 2:7) which is ultimately absorbed into the final heaven (Rev 21:1). Our Lord conclusively teaches in the story of the rich man and Lazarus that there is no possibility of repentance after death. It is in this light that 1Pe 3:18-20 should be viewed (cf. phulak\u1e17 [G5438], prison).\u201d \u2014<\/span>\u00a0<span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">The Complete Word Study Dictionary<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">The born again have redemption and forgiveness, so they go straight to heaven.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Eph 1:7<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(KJV)<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0In whom we have\u00a0<strong>redemption<\/strong>\u00a0through his blood, the\u00a0<strong>forgiveness<\/strong>\u00a0of sins, according to the riches of his grace;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">The word redemption is Greek transliterated as apolutr\u014dsis means a release effected by payment of ransom. Man has been released from the dominion of the dragon if they will accept the work of the blood as stated in Eph 1:7. Apolutr\u014dsis means (the act) ransom in full, that is, (figuratively) riddance or liberation procured by the payment of a ransom. I prefer riddance. To rid is to free; to deliver; properly, to separate, and thus to deliver or save. This was not available prior to the work of the cross.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">The second word we must understand in Eph 1:7 is forgiveness. It is the word aphesis and means dismission, deliverance, from captivity, dismissal, release, freedom, liberty, remission etc. Thayer&#8217;s Definition states that it means release from bondage or imprisonment. The Complete Word Study Dictionary dictionary defines aphesis as \u201cto release one&#8217;s sins from the sinner.\u201d It adds, \u201cThis required Christ&#8217;s sacrifice as punishment of sin, hence the putting away of sin and the deliverance of the sinner from the power of sin.\u201d The dictionary continues, \u201cWhat Christ does is not simply to take man from prison and set him free, but also to change him radically (katall\u00e1ssei [G2644]), giving him power over sin.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">The born-again believer is not a sinner and therefore is no longer subject to spiritual death. Both death and the one who had power over it have been <u>paralyzed<\/u>\u00a0for those in Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Heb 2:14<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(Wuest)<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #2e78c2;\">(14-15)<\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0Therefore, since the children share in common with one another blood and flesh, He himself also partook with them in the same, in order that\u00a0<strong>through the aforementioned death He might\u00a0<u>render inoperative the one having the dominion of death<\/u>, that is, the devil, and effect the release of those, as many as who by reason of fear of death through the entire course of their lives were held in bondage<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-right: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Heb 2:14<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(The Emphasised Bible\u2014Joseph B. Rotherham)<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">&lt;Seeing therefore |the children| have received a fellowship<\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0of blood and flesh&gt;||He also|| |in like manner| took partnership in the<\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">same,\u2014In order that |through death|\u2014<strong>He might paralyse him that held the dominion\u02b9 of death,<\/strong><\/span><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">That is\u02ce the Adversary<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">,\u2014 And\u00a0<strong>might release these<\/strong>\u2014As many as |by fear of death| were all their lifetime liable\u02b9 ||to bondage||.i<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">There is a release from the Dragon, Sin and Death. Who is the dragon?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Rev 12:9<\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(AMPC)<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0And the\u00a0<strong>huge dragon<\/strong>\u00a0was cast down\u00a0<em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';\">and<\/span><\/em>\u00a0out&#8211;that age-<strong>old serpent<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>who is called the Devil and Satan<\/strong>, he who is the seducer (deceiver) of all humanity the world over; he was forced out and\u00a0down to the earth, and his angels were flung out along with him. [<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Gen 3:1<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">,\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Gen 3:14-15<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">;\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Zec 3:1<\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">]<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; white-space: normal; text-align: justify; line-height: 18.4px;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">The Dragon has been rendered inoperative and paralysed and no longer has the keys of death with which to manipulate and enslave man (Heb 2:14; Rev 1:18). But to enjoy this, man must accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the life he gives freely. Those who accept are transferred from one kingdom to another.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #238554;\">Col 1:13<\/span><\/strong><strong style=\"color: #000000; font-style: normal; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0(AMPC)<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">\u00a0[<\/span><em style=\"color: #000000; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #757575;\">The Father<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-align: start; white-space: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; color: black;\">] has delivered\u00a0<em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';\">and<\/span><\/em>\u00a0drawn us to Himself out of the control\u00a0<em><span style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';\">and<\/span><\/em>\u00a0the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Luke 16, we have the story of two people. 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