Spiritual Gifts. Volume 3, page 134, paragraph 2

"Those who have delayed a preparation for the day of God cannot obtain it in the time of trouble, or at any future period. The righteous will not cease their earnest agonizing cries for deliverance. They cannot bring to mind any particular sins, but in their whole life they can see but little good. Their sins had gone beforehand to judgment, and pardon had been written. Their sins had been borne away into the land of forgetfulness, and they could not bring them to remembrance. Certain destruction threatens them, and like Jacob they will not suffer their faith to grow weak, because their prayers are not immediately answered. Though suffering the pangs of hunger, they will not cease their intercessions. They lay hold of the strength of God as Jacob laid hold of the angel, and the language of their soul is, "I will not let thee go except thou bless me." The saints at length prevail like Jacob, and are gloriously delivered by the voice of God."

1. What and where is the land of fogetfulness?
2. When will we be unable to recall our specific sins?

Mike

I got so many sins; I can't recall them now.

Poor David! How do these texts help us understand blotting out the record and memory of specific sins?

Isaiah
65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

Revelation
21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Hebrews
10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Hebrews
10:2 and 9:9 ... because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins... [they are] perfect, as pertaining to the conscience...

Mike

Are you thinking that "the land of forgetfulness" is a metaphorical term denoting the state of being forgiven for our sins?

No. We do not forget our specific sins the moment we are forgiven. I am thinking that it symbolizes blotting out the record and memory of specific sins during the investigative judgment of the living, during the final crisis, and before the close of probation.

At that precise point we will be unable to recall the specific sins we have committed throughout our lifetime. Somehow I imagine this experience will have a profound effect. What are some of the implications?

[ March 26, 2002: Message edited by: Mike Lowe ]

At what point in our experience do we forget our past sins?