Alma 5:50-62
In the first three verses of this grouping, Alma testifies of things which he has heard of the Holy Spirit.
All of these verses suggest that there is a literal division between the righteous and the wicked. The Kingdom of God is coming quickly, wherein the righteous will dwell. Therefore, one ought to repent of his sins and bring forth works of righteousness if he desires to be a part of this kingdom.
How will the righteous be distinguished from the wicked? Or in other words, what type of person will inherit the kingdom of heaven. Also I ask myself, amongst what type of people do I want to enjoy of their friendship and company?
In the kingdom of heaven, there are the penitent. They are they who desire to follow the voice of the Good Shepherd. (vs. 57) They are they whose names are written in the book of life. (vs. 58) And it will be God who will separate the wicked from among the righteous. (vs. 59)
I am impressed by this thought: that in the kingdom of God, there will not be those mock or laugh at others. There will not be those that wear costly apparel (expensive clothing). There are not those that trample under their feet the Holy One of Israel. There will not be those that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts. There will not be those that deny the poor or the needy. Nothing impure can dwell in the presence of God, and "The names of the wicked shall not be mingled with the names of my people;" (vs. 57).
And those that won't repent, they are bound and thrown into a fire. Alma also explains that this fire is eternal, or unquenchable. (vs. 52) There is not much emphasis on this point, but it is taught as an eternal truth, nonetheless.
Now, I feel that I better understand the teaching of the Savior concerning the sheep and the wolves. I feel that I better relate with the idea that the wolves are the tendencies within myself that I ought to remove because they will destroy the sheep, or the good works that could exist within me. That this is given by way of commandment simply means that if I allow wolves amongst the flock, then surely one sheep or more will die. It is not a probability. It is not a good suggestion. Something, somewhere will die, when there are wolves lurking about. That is why, for those who do not want to die, the prophets give commandments for their safety and well-being. (see vs.60-61)
In the first three verses of this grouping, Alma testifies of things which he has heard of the Holy Spirit.
All of these verses suggest that there is a literal division between the righteous and the wicked. The Kingdom of God is coming quickly, wherein the righteous will dwell. Therefore, one ought to repent of his sins and bring forth works of righteousness if he desires to be a part of this kingdom.
How will the righteous be distinguished from the wicked? Or in other words, what type of person will inherit the kingdom of heaven. Also I ask myself, amongst what type of people do I want to enjoy of their friendship and company?
In the kingdom of heaven, there are the penitent. They are they who desire to follow the voice of the Good Shepherd. (vs. 57) They are they whose names are written in the book of life. (vs. 58) And it will be God who will separate the wicked from among the righteous. (vs. 59)
I am impressed by this thought: that in the kingdom of God, there will not be those mock or laugh at others. There will not be those that wear costly apparel (expensive clothing). There are not those that trample under their feet the Holy One of Israel. There will not be those that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts. There will not be those that deny the poor or the needy. Nothing impure can dwell in the presence of God, and "The names of the wicked shall not be mingled with the names of my people;" (vs. 57).
And those that won't repent, they are bound and thrown into a fire. Alma also explains that this fire is eternal, or unquenchable. (vs. 52) There is not much emphasis on this point, but it is taught as an eternal truth, nonetheless.
Now, I feel that I better understand the teaching of the Savior concerning the sheep and the wolves. I feel that I better relate with the idea that the wolves are the tendencies within myself that I ought to remove because they will destroy the sheep, or the good works that could exist within me. That this is given by way of commandment simply means that if I allow wolves amongst the flock, then surely one sheep or more will die. It is not a probability. It is not a good suggestion. Something, somewhere will die, when there are wolves lurking about. That is why, for those who do not want to die, the prophets give commandments for their safety and well-being. (see vs.60-61)
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