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33. As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offense: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 9:33; KJV. Paul in verse 33, quotes Isaiah 8:14; Peter quotes the same prophecy in 1 Peter 2:6-8. This is addressed to those who are offended by Christ, or those who reject Christ. God placed Jesus in Jerusalem, and salvation was offered to the Jews first. But they refused to believe, and salvation was offered to the Gentile nations Can the person formed by God demand why God made them the way they are? Who can stand before God Almighty and present a case against Him? Christ, the Son of the Almighty Living God, came in obedience, giving His life for ours. Without Christ, on the last day, you will stand before the Almighty covered in the stains of your sins, just yours. The redeemed will stand before the Almighty, covered in the Righteousness of Christ, and they will be accepted. Christ is the Stone the religious leaders rejected. They will trip over this stone, falling into eternal punishment. Christ made everyone equal; you choose eternal life or destruction by what you believe. So God can never be blamed; you made your choice. The lesson: The Almighty Father sent Christ. Believers love Christ because He loved us first, giving His life in place of ours. Unbelievers stumble over our Rock of salvation because they reject God's truth. Jesus is either the Rock of your salvation you stand on, or a stumbling stone leading to your destruction. Only you can make the decision. Amen.