Quote:
Originally Posted by aron
But the Nee/Lee version of "Purgatory" (sorry, "promise and warning") that I heard just gave a vague presentation of an "overcomer" which I guess is tantamount to being "mature" according to Cassidy. Of course maturity is important, but remember that only God has the scale in His hand. Only God can say, "Approved" or "Disapproved". The same goes for "mature". Nobody can say, "Now I am mature; ripe and ready for harvest". Anyone who thinks they have arrived, in this body of flesh, is most deceived. All we can do is go forward.
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The greek word for "Tribulation" refers to the sickle that is used in a harvest. The book of revelation refers to several "harvests". The Lord refers to the harvest being ready, thrust in your sickle and reap. Jesus used many parables referring to seeds being planted and growing up to maturity. God is a farmer and his business is Jesus Christ, the vine tree. There are way too many references to seeds growing up to bring forth a harvest and that the harvest takes place when the fruit is ripe (i.e. mature). Some believers are referred to as "the first fruit".
The fact that I cannot judge if I or another is ripe is not a valid reason to not teach this. A thermometer doesn't measure air pressure, doesn't mean it isn't a valid instrument.