The difference between the words “shall” and “will” is primarily a legal distinction in America today. We seldom use “shall” in our everyday speech. However, I have heard that in Middle English it was used to distinguish between intent and promise. If one simply said, “I will” do something, it only meant he intended to do so and would do his best. If he said, “I shall,” it meant that he would do it one way or the other. “Shall” meant, “I definitely will,” “I certainly will,” “I most assuredly will,” with the “will” underlined, all caps, and bolded. Think about that as you read the following passages from the King James Version, that Middle English so many decry, and think what that means about these things.
I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised, so shall I be saved from my enemies, Psalm 18:3
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart all ye that hope in the Lord, Psalm 31:24.
But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, he shall receive me, Psalm 49:15.
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace, Rom 6:14.
Above all taking up the shield of faith wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, Eph 6:16.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus, Phil 4:19.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, 1 Thes 4:16.
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, Rev 21:4.
And there shall be no night there, and they need no candle neither light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light, and they shall reign forever and ever; and he said unto me, these sayings are faithful and true…Rev 22:5,6.
So the question again is, “Shall we?”
Yes, we most definitely, certainly, assuredly shall!
Dene Ward
For instructions on using this blog, click on FAQ and Tutorial on the left sidebar.
I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised, so shall I be saved from my enemies, Psalm 18:3
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart all ye that hope in the Lord, Psalm 31:24.
But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, he shall receive me, Psalm 49:15.
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace, Rom 6:14.
Above all taking up the shield of faith wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, Eph 6:16.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus, Phil 4:19.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, 1 Thes 4:16.
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, Rev 21:4.
And there shall be no night there, and they need no candle neither light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light, and they shall reign forever and ever; and he said unto me, these sayings are faithful and true…Rev 22:5,6.
So the question again is, “Shall we?”
Yes, we most definitely, certainly, assuredly shall!
Dene Ward
For instructions on using this blog, click on FAQ and Tutorial on the left sidebar.
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