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Ms. Prata assembles a fanciful story about encountering Jesus at the judgment seat. It is in no way biblical. That she would do so is a bit surprising considering how as a cessationist she opposes extra-biblical information.
Further, Ms. Prata sort of quotes Scripture but does not reference it. She appropriates these Scriptures to insert into her story, but the story is false.
We must deem this Bad Bible Teaching.
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SYNOPSIS
I was asked to write a fable or an allegory for the ministry Exposit the Word as a tract. In it, I narrate a visionary judgment experience where I confront Christ after death. (Ms. Prata begins with an imaginary "experience" as if this has any value at all. Also, she gives herself doctrinal cover by claiming it is an allegory rather than a vision.)
He continued, devastatingly, “I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.” (Matthew 25:35-40)
“UNQUALIFIED! Depart from me you who do evil!” (Matthew 7:23. But Jesus never said "unqualified.")
The throne room shook and trembled with His words. I was cast, cast! Into the Lake of Fire. This was the first of many conscious thoughts I had as the fire melted into my bones, but did not melt them away. The fire burned and the worm did not die, it tortured. This can’t be all there is! I didn’t kill anyone! There was that abortion, but that was just a clump of cells, nobody died! I am NOT an adulterer, I only had fantasies of the tennis pro. Jesus is wrong about that. And stealing pens from work? That’s nothing! (Ms. Prata seems to think that people in hell will try to justify themselves. But Scripture tells us something else:
When confronted with the glory of God, every tongue, whether holy or not, will acknowledges the lordship of Jesus.)
And her thoughts went on and on…forever.
Meanwhile-to be in right standing with Jesus one must repent of sins before one’s last breath, believing on Him who died on the cross, was entombed 3 days, and rose victorious over death from the dead! Jesus absorbed the wrath for all who would believe. (No, He didn't. He died as the lamb of God, whose blood washes away every sin. The blood is enough. Nothing further is needed.)
SYNOPSIS
I was asked to write a fable or an allegory for the ministry Exposit the Word as a tract. In it, I narrate a visionary judgment experience where I confront Christ after death. (Ms. Prata begins with an imaginary "experience" as if this has any value at all. Also, she gives herself doctrinal cover by claiming it is an allegory rather than a vision.)
My allegory self realizes that being “good” isn’t sufficient for heaven. Jesus reveals my sins, declaring me unqualified for entry. (Curious phrasing. Where does the Bible tell us that Jesus declares us "unqualified?")
I died. I went to the place all humans due to appear, the judgment seat of Christ. I’d thought there might be something like this, an afterlife, God, some kind of examination to see if I was qualified to enter heaven. I hadn’t given it much thought, believing I was a pretty good person (certainly better than THAT guy over there!) and I’d probably get in. One nagging question: what were the qualifications? If everybody gets in, then what makes it heaven?
Now it’s my turn. Jesus asked me why He should let me into His heaven. (This cannot happen. Jesus does not ask dead people to make their case for entry into heaven. To the contrary, God has a book, the book of life. He simply looks to find a person's name:
I died. I went to the place all humans due to appear, the judgment seat of Christ. I’d thought there might be something like this, an afterlife, God, some kind of examination to see if I was qualified to enter heaven. I hadn’t given it much thought, believing I was a pretty good person (certainly better than THAT guy over there!) and I’d probably get in. One nagging question: what were the qualifications? If everybody gets in, then what makes it heaven?
Now it’s my turn. Jesus asked me why He should let me into His heaven. (This cannot happen. Jesus does not ask dead people to make their case for entry into heaven. To the contrary, God has a book, the book of life. He simply looks to find a person's name:
Re. 20:15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Ms. Prata's "vision" starts at unbiblical.)
I said, “Lord, Lord, didn’t I do many good things? Aren’t I a good person?” He replied that ‘There is none good, no not one, except Myself’. (Nope. There will be no negotiation.
She sort of quotes Romans 3:10-12, where Paul was quoting Psalm 14, prophetically written by David. In a sense we would agree that Jesus, the Word of God, spoke these words to David, but Ms. Prata is inventing this conversation.)
“I know the hearts of men, and the evil that is in them”. (This is sort of Mark 7:21, but not really. Ms. Prata seems too comfortable putting words in Jesus' mouth.)
“I know the hearts of men, and the evil that is in them”. (This is sort of Mark 7:21, but not really. Ms. Prata seems too comfortable putting words in Jesus' mouth.)
“YOU”, He said, pointing to my heart, “are an adulteress, a liar, a thief, and a murderer. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, adulteries…” (These manipulations of Scripture are unseemly.)
He continued, devastatingly, “I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.” (Matthew 25:35-40)
“UNQUALIFIED! Depart from me you who do evil!” (Matthew 7:23. But Jesus never said "unqualified.")
The throne room shook and trembled with His words. I was cast, cast! Into the Lake of Fire. This was the first of many conscious thoughts I had as the fire melted into my bones, but did not melt them away. The fire burned and the worm did not die, it tortured. This can’t be all there is! I didn’t kill anyone! There was that abortion, but that was just a clump of cells, nobody died! I am NOT an adulterer, I only had fantasies of the tennis pro. Jesus is wrong about that. And stealing pens from work? That’s nothing! (Ms. Prata seems to think that people in hell will try to justify themselves. But Scripture tells us something else:
Ph. 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
And her thoughts went on and on…forever.
Meanwhile-to be in right standing with Jesus one must repent of sins before one’s last breath, believing on Him who died on the cross, was entombed 3 days, and rose victorious over death from the dead! Jesus absorbed the wrath for all who would believe. (No, He didn't. He died as the lamb of God, whose blood washes away every sin. The blood is enough. Nothing further is needed.)
Jesus is the only way to heaven. He is the sole path. Sinners can’t enter heaven, but if one repents one is forgiven, the chief end of man fulfilled: to glorify God and enjoy him forever. Two destinations: hell, and heaven. If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
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