Ok, so this is starting to sink in. I can have empathy for those that take offence to these ideas. If I hadn’t already been focused on figuring out the Bible by itself, I feel like this would be really hard to accept. The WT publications really only give snippets of scriptures rather than full context so it’s easy to think you’re getting a full meal when it’s only finger food. But from my focused reading, I know that there’s a lot in there that I hadn’t picked up before. Searcher’s similar experience shows me I’m not crazy lol.
So from that foundation, I know that the things you are bringing out from the scriptures do have a basis. I feel like Apollos might have when Aquila helped him to a greater understanding. So thank you for that.
When reading through Rom 8, I came across something that you might have greater insight on, as well. In vs 23, Paul talks about how they already have the firstfruits of the Spirit but are waiting eagerly for their “adoption to sonship” (NIV) Are the Anointed not truly considered sons until they are sealed? Are their baptisms of water and spirit just a token of their calling? Do they only truly know if they’ve been chosen in the time period of Rev 7? I feel like I’ve read other scriptures that indicate that as well …I guess Paul was baptized and Anointed by Spirit when he said that he didn’t feel like he had yet laid hold on it. Again any insight would be appreciated. I guess these questions actually do fit this thread better than my previous ones😅
Also …you’ve said (or maybe RR144) that if you reach out for the upward call but are not chosen, you’ve forfeited your chance at an earthly inheritance. What is the scriptural backing for that? In the spirit of “many are called but few chosen”, is the only outcome for those not chosen, everlasting death? I imagine that plenty throughout the centuries would have listened to their churches and partaken of “Christ’s body” but not have been chosen. Are they doomed to destruction because they weren’t chosen but they chose to pursue the call? I know that obviously only Jehovah really knows and as you brought out he will have mercy on whom he will have mercy. But I was wondering if there are specific scriptures that indicate or contraindicate that idea.
Yes, waiting for the adoption as sons while already adopted, seems like a bit of a contradiction, but this tension between what is already reality in Christ - the amen of His 'it has been accomplished' on the torture stake - and the still awaited coming home at the release from this body, when Jesus returns for the pick up, is reflected also in other texts.
For instance, 1 Jno 5:11,12 has: 'God gave us everlasting life, and this life is in His Son; he that has the Son [by being born into Him of the Father],
has this life' - not, 'will get it when Christ returns,' but, 'has it right now' - because the anointed give up not only their present imperfect life, but the eternal perfect life they enjoy right now here on earth, which Jesus repurchased for them, although the transfer of their spiritual life into their spirit body still has to await His return.
The reality of this state of affairs can be seen, for instance, in Heb 10:1-3, where someone truly anointed, in their incorporated state in Christ, does not have consciousness of sins anymore, because of the perfection of their conscience brought about by their baptism into His death. Col 2:10-12
Throughout time, a lot of people have given their lives for noble causes, but only those few of the 'little flock' called by God, have given up their glorious everlasting life as children of God, which they enjoy now in their fully reconciled state here on earth, just as Jesus their Forerunner also did, because He had to become first in all things pertaining to them. Col 1:18; Ro 8:21
As to any 'final sealing:' there is simply no backing out or undoing of the unique enlightenment and partaking of Holy Spirit that has happened; there is only Heaven or bust, unless someone was mistaken about their anointing, which would not be God's fault, because of the abundant Scriptural evidence against which anyone can gauge their personal experience, if honest. Heb 6:4-6
As to 'reaching out,' and, 'many are called, but few are chosen,' I think that people read more into these true sayings than is warranted, if compared with other texts to balance them out, because the purpose seems to focus on getting people to put faith in Jehovah by means of His promises, rather than some cut-throat competition, like some people wrongly read into Jesus' words in Mat 11:12, where the kingdom is 'seized' by those 'pressing forward,' as if He were looking for pushy people who elbow others out of the way, like the Pharisees were wont to do with their front seats at the synagogue.
As to the difference between 'calling' and 'choosing:' when it comes to the anointing the terms seem to be used synonymous, for there are no stages to it, just like a woman cannot be a bit pregnant. Ro 8:30
So, for instance, there was no 'reaching out' by Aaron in competition with other Levites to see who wanted the job of High Priest more, nor where Aaron and a few of his fellow tribesmen initially 'called,' from among whom Jehovah then 'chose' Aaron for the top job, but it simply says: "A man takes this honor, not of his own accord, but only when he is
called by God, just as Aaron also was," where calling equates to choosing. Heb 5:4
'Many are called' simply means that Jesus died for every man's sin, all of whom are therefore called to repent and accept life on God's terms by accepting Him.
So perhaps the difference between called and chosen is the rejection of the call by the person not appreciating it, but it would be hard to imagine that this would happen after someone is anointed.