What is the Great White Throne Judgment?
Has science discovered a genetic link to sexual behavior?
Recent headlines declared, “Scientists discover genetic underpinnings of bisexuality.” A study by two men at the University of Michigan explored the connection between same sex behavior, bisexual behavior and number of children. The study did not seek to find a genetic basis for sexual behavior. The authors were examining how genes controlling same sex behavior are passed on in a population. Since same sex behavior is notoriously inefficient at producing offspring how is it passed from one generation to the next?
The study relied upon the United Kingdom Biobank which combines genetic sequencing with a wide array of other data and allows researchers to trace connections between genes and outcomes. The study compared over 450,000 individual genomes with the donor’s answers to survey questions regarding sexual behavior, offspring and risk-taking. In doing so they found a correlation between a specific set genes, male risk taking and male bisexual behavior. In other words, males possessing a particular set of genes showed a greater tendency towards risk-taking and/or bisexuality.
This study did not prove a person is genetically predetermined toward a particular sexual orientation. Rather, it presupposed genetic influences upon sexual behavior and acknowledged the affect of other factors upon sexual behavior. The authors did not address sexual orientation or sexual identity. They did not assert that any specific genes produced any specific sexual behavior. The study did show a link between a certain set of genes, bisexual behavior, risk taking and number of children.
One interpretation of the presence of certain genes in those who engage in bisexual behavior is that the genes play an important role in the person’s sexuality. The fact that the genes associated with bisexuality are also associated with risk taking suggests an alternative explanation. The genes in question could be less about sexuality and more about risk aversion or thrill seeking. More research is required to determine the most accurate explanation of the function of those genes.
Scientists did not discover a previously unknown genetic basis for bisexuality. The study presupposed such a link and showed a strong connection between bisexuality, risk taking and a specific set of genes. Even if in the future a determinative link is shown to exist between sexual behavior and a specific portion of the human genome such a genetic correlation will remain unable to speak to the morality of sexual orientation, behavior or desire.
Only the Creator has the authority to determine if something is moral or immoral. Genetics may result in an individual having a natural bent towards a particular sin, participation in that sin is never justified because of a natural inclination towards it. The Bible consistently shows that man’s bent toward sin is proof of moral corruption. Desire is not an extenuating circumstance but an aggravation of the offense. God’s Word remains true and clear in its condemnation of all forms of sexual activity outside the bounds of heterosexual marriage.
Who was the Apostle Paul?
What is the Judgment Seat of Christ?
The Bible speaks of three future, Divine judgments of humans. Two of these judgment take place after death. Hebrews 9 says no one will escape God’s judgment. “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) One judgment is of those who die without having received Jesus as their Savior and is called the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11). The other is called the Judgment Seat of Christ, or The Bema Seat.
The Judgment Seat of Christ is a judgment of Christians, which raises a lot of questions. Will the Christian be judged for his sins? Will the Christian be judged for unconfessed sins? If the Judgment Seat of Christ is not a judgment of sin, what will be judged? Will anyone at that judgment not make it into Heaven?
Second Corinthians 5 gives this judgment its name, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:10) The verses immediately before this statement are clearly addressed to Christians. This means every Christian will stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ to be judged by Him. Because this is a judgment of Christians it cannot be an examination of sin. God promises that at salvation a person’s every sin is forgiven. “Their sins and lawless deed I will remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:17) If God promises that at salvation He will take away a person’s sin and never again bring it to mind, then a later judgment of sin is impossible. The Judgment Seat of Christ cannot be a judgment of sin.
First Corinthians 3 appears to be discuss the same Judgment Seat of Christ when it says, “Each one’s work will become clear; for the day will declare it because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work of what sort it is.” (1 Corinthians 3:13) The judgment seat of Christ is a judgment of work done for Jesus. The quality of the Christian’s work for Jesus will be evaluated. Christian work that is ultimately worthless, whether it be selfish, mean-spirited, proud or self-reliant, will be burned up. That which is truly worthwhile will remain.
At that judgment rewards will be given and taken away. (2 John 1:8) However, even Christians who have no rewards enter Heaven. “He himself will be saved, yet so as by fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:15) The reception of rewards at the Judgment Seat will have not cause anyone to boast in their rewards. All will recognize the rewards they received is only because of the grace of God. Revelation 4:10 shows believers laying their crowns at God’s feet in recognition that He alone is worthy of praise.
The Bible does not say exactly when the judgment seat of Christ takes place. Certain indications suggest this judgment happens sometime after the individual’s death and before the full inauguration of Christ’s millennial kingdom. Though a person’s eternal state will not hang in the balance, the Judgment Seat will be a time of great seriousness. Those who have done little for Jesus will be ashamed. Therefore, all Christians must live to please God now so they will be ready for the day when they stand before their Savior and give account for how they have served Him. (2 Corinthians 5:9)
Did Noah take dinosaurs on the ark?
Christmas Eve Service
December 24, 2023 Pastor’s Roundtable
Pastor Dave Chambers
Pastor Ted Jolls
Pastor Tom Schierkolk
Pastor Jon Michael
Does the Christmas story contain contradictions?
How do we know Jesus is the promised Messiah?
The Gospel of Matthew describes thirteen separate instances when Old Testament prophecy was fulfilled. Matthew presents these fulfilled prophecies as proof Jesus is the promised Messiah. At the birth of Jesus several specific and important prophecies about the Messiah were fulfilled.
The first promise of the Messiah in the Bible is found in Genesis 3:15. God told the Devil that the woman’s seed would defeat sin and Satan. The choice to refer to the Deliverer as the seed of the woman is an odd one, unless the phrase “her seed” has a particular significance. The prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 reveals the significance of that unique description. “The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” The seed of the woman is a child born without an earthly father. The birth of Jesus of virginal Mary fulfills these two promises. (Matthew 1:22)
A later promise of the Messiah is found in Genesis 49:10, “ The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh comes, and to Him shall be the obedience of the people.” This is a promise that the Messiah would be a great ruler who would bring unending peace to Israel. The Messiah had to be a descendant of Judah. The genealogies of Jesus recorded in Matthew and Luke show Him to be descended from Judah by birth (Mary’s side of the family) and by adoption (Joseph’s side of the family).
Another, related prophecy, is that the Messiah would be a descendant of David’s with a legitimate claim to the throne of Israel. (2 Samuel 7:12-13) As the adopted son of Joseph Jesus is the legal descendant of Kings David and Solomon. Jesus is of the tribe of Judah and the family of David exactly as Scripture foretold.
The Old Testament foretold the birth place of the Messiah. “Bethlehem Ephrathah . . out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel.” (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6) Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is a fulfillment of that prophecy. Jesus’ flight to Egypt fulfilled the words of Hosea, “out of Egypt I have called my Son.” (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:15) The murder of all children in Bethlehem under two years old fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah. “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” (Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:18) The timing of Jesus’ birth fulfills the promise given to Daniel that the Messiah would be cut off 483 years after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem. (Daniel 9:25-26)
The fulfillment of these prophecies at the birth of Jesus are strong evidence He is the promised Messiah and the Son of God. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23) They support the Christian’s claim that Jesus is the eternal God and the Savior of the world. As a result, He deserves all worship and obedience. He should be believed, received and entirely relied upon to forgive sinners and save them from condemnation.
Everlasting Truths 