All Activity

So I guess you could say that about the Palestinians and all people on earth as well. However works do not save anyone. So the folks who donated water and food in the end were saved by belief in Jesus just as everyone else. No exceptions. You see the folks He was talking to were already saved and gathered up. Mat 25: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Brother AdHoc, I see your point, and I am not being argumentative; I am just debating. So, to be clear, which kingdom do you refer to exactly? Citing your example of Caleb and Joshua being the only two allowed to enter the Promised Land, I see that not so much as a reward for service, faith, or trust but as the fulfillment of a covenant promise given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. That contractual covenant was performed by God alone with Abraham, with no second parties’ involvement, correct? As you rightly imply, the Hebrews-Jews are one of the eight kingdoms in and of themselves, a peculiar stiff-necked people chosen out of the nations as a people of God. That kingdom was specifically meant for and offered to the Jews first but rejected, correct? Later, it was amended and expanded to include Gentiles by grafting us in. So far so good? This Jewish kingdom is an inheritance of innumerable people and a land grant with borders far exceeding today's. In the millennial kingdom, two Jews by birth will rule and reign: #1 Jesus and #2 David, as well as the Jewish Patriarchs and Apostles (twelve gates—twelve foundations). That first generation of roughly 600,000 fighting men was allowed to live out their lives and, through attrition, was not allowed to step into the Promised Land. It appears the twelve spies representing the Twelve Tribes determined whether or not they would take the Promised Land by force from the descendants of the Nephilim, as God had directed them. Caleb (Judah) and Joshua (Ephraim) believed the Lord and reported favorably to war against the giants taking their inheritance forcefully. Of those roughly 600,000 men of fighting age, there had to be many siding with Caleb and Joshua, yet only those two were allowed in to the Land. I see a covenant and reward as separate and distinguishable. Now, back to the meat and potatoes. You’re not a vegan, are you?😊 I see the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven as two separate Kingdoms until Jesus hands over the kingdom to the Father at the close of the millennium. Matthew expounds on the Kingdom of Heaven 32 times and the Kingdom of God five times; it is evident these are not synonymous or used interchangeably. The kingdom age has not arrived yet: And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. (Luke 11:2) I take the above to mean the Kingdom of God the Father. The concept of the Kingdom of God is a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, God is portrayed as the king over all creation and specifically as the king of his covenant people, Israel. The prophets foretold a future time when God would manifest himself as king, bringing salvation and blessing not only to Israel but to all nations. In the New Testament, Jesus and John the Baptist preached about the Kingdom of God, emphasizing its arrival and fulfillment through Jesus. The Kingdom is described as both a present reality and a future eschatological hope. The relationship between the Kingdom of God and the church is debated, with the church seen as manifesting the Kingdom without being identical to it. The eschatological nature of the Kingdom, as proclaimed by Jesus, is a key focus of theological debate and interpretation.1 1New Dictionary of Theology Admittedly, there appear to be conditional clauses regarding Salvation and entrance into the kingdoms (ifs, ands, until the end, etc.). But, if God saved me, granted me eternal, everlasting life, then took that life back for any reason, it was not eternal, to begin with. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:15) In summary (you’re welcome 😊): I think many are saved by faith alone and have produced little or no fruit for the Lord, as some parables imply. If entrance into the millennium (the bride of Christ) is by works and a reward for the good and faithful servant, and the slothful do not qualify for entrance into the Kingdom of Jesus, then what is their fate, and where do slothful Christians go in the kingdom age? If this is true, perhaps Matthew alone provides a clue with “outer darkness?” There seems to be agreement with a single view of what this outer darkness represents: Hell: The Meaning of Outer Darkness With these definitions as a range of meanings, we seek to accurately define outer darkness. Based on the history of its usage, this phrase is best understood as a reference to exclusion from the festivities that will accompany the Marriage Supper of the Lamb at the beginning of the Millennium (cf. Rev. 19:6–9). Outer darkness is a metonym for not entering the Kingdom. Those servants who respond appropriately to the talent they are given will be granted entrance into the wedding feast (and by extension the Kingdom). Those servants who are unprofitable will be left out in the dark where they will experience intense remorse. The “weeping and gnashing of teeth” is a reference to the sorrow, grief, and agony of hell (Matt. 25:30). 1 1 What Lies Ahead: A Biblical Overview of the End Times

Michael: I appreciate that post; it has a direct connection to the parable of the Ten Virgins (discussed in a future post). Dennis: I’ve never seen such a comprehensive presentation on numerology. Thank you. Oversight: Yes to that. ...To continue this wonderful subject of the Bridegroom and His Bride... The next holy day on God’s calendar to be fulfilled is the Feast of Trumpets. The Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah: The Day of the Awakening Blast): Bridegroom and His Bride In the time of Jesus, the Father decided when the Son comes for His Bride, to bring her to the Father’s House. When our Lord does descend from Heaven to gather us to the Father’s House, it is the Father who will sound the trumpet from Heaven announcing the arrival of His Son for us, His Bride: For this we say to you by the word of the Lord…. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. (1 Thess. 4:15, 16) In 1 Corinthians 15:52, Paul identified which trumpet God will sound: “the last trumpet” —which sounds on the Feast of Trumpets. In this prophecy, Paul quoted Isaiah and Hosea, revealing the mystery of our “hope of glory/glorification” once hidden in the Old Testament: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?” (1 Cor. 15:54, 55) In Revelation 7, John also quoted Isaiah, revealing the mystery of our “hope of glory”: “They shall neither hunger any more, nor shall they thirst any more; the sun shall not strike them. He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Rev. 7:16, 17) Christ directed Paul and John to both quote Isaiah--which we know as Isaiah 25:8, and 49:10. This is Christ’s narrative: He is directing us, His Bride, to search out the mystery once hidden in the prophets’ prophecies, revealing how our Bridegroom will deliver us and care for us—His Bride—and how the Father’s trumpet (shofar) corresponds to the Feast of Trumpets, heralding the day of the Lord, and the arrival of our Bridegroom. We, in this day and time, can only thank God that we know this truth: The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ Let him who hears say, 'Come.’ (Rev. 22:17) It's only a matter of time. Finally, Christ's revelation to Paul and John has a backstory: Moses at Mount Sinai, and our God presenting the marriage template. This same template is repeated in the New Testament. Peace. revvel

Shabbat shalom, Neighbor. This is why we go back to the Scriptures for their instruction, and when in doubt, ask a Baptist! (Just kidding! LOL! Baptists don't necessarily know any better.) Being a Baptist before I learned about the Messianic Jews, I also know a few things about baptism. First, I know that it is NOT a part of God's justification for us (which most erroneously call "salvation"). There is absolutely NOTHING that we could "bring to the table" to gain God's approval. Our justification comes SOLELY from God! Baptism is part of the "good works" that we do BECAUSE we were already justified by God! I also know that baptism is a PICTURE of what God's already done for us in the Sacrifice of His Son, Yeeshuwa`. It contributes NOTHING to the new birth itself. It's a picture of the death, burial, and the resurrection of our Master Yeeshuwa`. As a picture of death and burial, it's not enough just to sprinkle someone or pour some water on someone. A person isn't buried that way. One must be IMMERSED - totally BURIED - in the dirt or within the rock. Then, from the tomb, the Messiah was resurrected, just as He came up straightway out of the water at His baptism. Ideally, it should be running water in which a person is baptised, but a deep pool - a miqveh - would do in a pinch. If one doesn't have a river, a lake, or an ocean nearby, a baptismal pool will do.

The enemy would love to abort the promises of God in His people right now by baiting us into discouragement, disillusion, faint-heartedness, offense, apathy, and selfish ambition. Any of these can lead us down a path to miscarry the promises of God. When a woman goes into labor she is taught to breathe. We can do this spiritually by meditating on Christ. We fill our lungs with His breath by focusing our thoughts on Him and following the lead of the Holy Spirit. "For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God." (Romans 8:19) Many Believers are getting ready to birth. The Holy Spirit and angels will be your coaches to help you successfully birth. God is getting ready to birth the next stage of your Christ calling. Again, the Lord is reminding us: "'Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?' says the LORD. 'Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?' says your God" (Isaiah 66:9). ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Real prayer is a continuous quiet realization of God's presence in our lives. Testimony works best when it is done with patients so that the Holy Spirt is made manifest in our humble daily activities. Accusing people is being on the wrong side of the courtroom, be a defendant so that your supporting love is making a case for accepting forgiveness.

agree to disagree...

Tucker did an interview with a person who had done a national poll asking people if they had done different things illegal concerning voting. Voting in a place where you no longer lived and at home, filling out a ballot for others and several questions concerning mail-in voting. One thing I remember from the interview, they said that one in five mail-in ballots were not legal. Since Biden relied so heavily on mail-in ballots, it is likely how he won. Loose the mail-in ballots for everyone except those that legally prove they are who they say they are, and it looks like Biden would not have won in 2020. I would post the interview, but you have to be a member to watch it.

Jim Thorpe learned to overcome his childhood from having participated in one of these schools. Jim thorpe early life Jim Thorpe was born circa May 28, 1887, near current-day Prague, Oklahoma. He was a child of Sac and Fox and Potawatomi Indian bloodlines, as well as French and Irish roots. He was given the name Wa-Tho-Huk, meaning “Bright Path,” but christened Jacobus Franciscus Thorpe. Thorpe learned to hunt and trap prey at an early age, developing his legendary endurance via extensive excursions through Indian Territory. He grew up with his twin brother Charlie on a farm in Oklahoma, where he learned how to hunt, ride a horse, and set a trap. Jim loved playing in the outdoors. He wasn’t very tall, but he was athletic and strong. When Jim turned six years old, he and his brother Charlie went to attend the local Indian boarding school. More of his background can be found through this link: https://search.brave.com/search?q=jim+thorpe's+early+life&source=web

Correct, the 1948 formation of the current nation of Israel does not constitute the 2nd gathering of the faithful. There are, however, many among those in the land of Israel today who do believe in loving their neighbor, and doing justly. These individuals, though they may not think they believe in Jesus, are like the Samaritan in Luke 10, and the sheep in Matthew 25:34-40, who were not aware that their belief in loving their neighbor, was faith in God, and so will inherit Gods kingdom.

Let's look at it this way. Would you say that Moses, Aaron and 600,000 fighting men of the 12 Tribes of Israel were APPOINTED to enter and occupy the Good Land. The training of Moses, which took 80 years, the burning bush, the plagues, the slaughter of Egypt's Firstborn and the opening of the Red Sea all point to God having a plan to get this generation of fighting men into the Land He had PROMISED. But how many achieved what was appointed? The answer is 2! In Revelation 18:4 what do you think? If a Christian is playing in the devil's back yard, and God warned him of plagues to come on the back yard, will he miraculously escape if he does not head the warning? I propose that parables of the Kingdom, and the direct statements (e.g. Gal.5:21), show that ENTERING the coming Kingdom (out) OF Heaven show that only those worthy, only those that attained, only those who behaved, only those qualified, only Overcomers and only those with an intimacy with Christ, will enter it. At GREAT COST did Jehovah take out of the Nations a People for Himself. He has outlined His plan in a GREAT BOOK. He will not allow His GREAT NAME to be defiled with the behavior we see in Christian circles today. To understand it all, all we must do is apply English grammar rules to a God Who gave us language. We do for the computer companies when we set up a new telephone. Every point and dot is carefully put in the right place. If God says "appointed" then he is appointed SO LONG AS NOTHING CHANGES. If he dies, get gravely ill, goes to jail or plays in the Devil's back yard, his "appointment" is annulled. See my posting in the middle of page 2 of this Thread. Go well soldier

The situation is Bible prophecy is partial and incomplete. Scripture gives us a vital dim window to look through that we absolutely need. But, to understand end time events, Holy Scripture needs to be paired with empirical observations that are unbiased and comprehensive in nature. Even taken to the extent of examining their delusions so shrewdness punctuates our testimony. "Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture." I Corinthians 13:9 "But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.” Daniel 12:4 "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16 "For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you." Acts 17:23

Mandisa now lives in heaven. She passed away this past week. Her Memorial is today. I will miss the music that God gave her.

Okay, you probably missed it, and it has quite some detail, but I built a case for considering a partial rapture in the middle of page 2 of the thread. To date, no one has offered a counter. I'd say it stands. Of course I cannot expect anybody to answer, but to say the theory lacks biblical foundation is not true. If you decide to answer it, I'll appreciate it. In the mean time, I'll answer yours. 1. 1st Corinthians 15 never mentions the rapture. Verses 50-57 explain a change of body for the living - as opposed to the resurrection body that the dead receive. So much for AI. 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 could apply to all believers 1st Thessalonians 5:9 is no guarantee. The operative word is "APPOINTED". "Appointed" means a beforehand agreed time, place or rank or person. It can be overturned if the appointed person dies, absconds and/or goes to jail. In Revelation 18:4 God's people, though not appointed, will partake of Mystery Babylon's plagues if thy are found in her. The statement that God does not pour out His wrath on Christians may be true, but Ananias and Saphira, the incestuous brother of 1st Corinthians 5, those who got sick and died for taking the Lord's table unworthily and Alexander the coppersmith almost, or did, lose their lives under God's discipline. If a flood in the streets is predicted because of heavy rains, and a Christian, in full knowledge, plays in the gutter, will God miraculously allow him to breath under water when it goes over his head? 2. The rapture in the parable of the 10 Virgins is found in verses 6 and 11. The cry in verse 6 is "go out and meet Him". Verse 11 shows the foolish Virgins came "AFTERWARDS". But the argument your AI posed fails in another point. It is claimed that they were unbelievers. 1st Corinthians 15:22-26 gives the order of resurrection. Christ first THEN "those who are His when He COMES". Revelation 20:1-6 tells us that the REST of the dead lived NOT until another 1,000 years have passed. As the 5 wise and the 5 foolish were raised together for the Kingdom's sake, they must all be His (Christ's). There are at least five more proofs, but time and space don't allow. 3. The reason for the parable is "watch". But how can the dead watch? The watching must then apply to their lifetimes. The five foolish Virgins are, in six ways, identical to the wise. What made them foolish was two things. (i) They had oil in their lamps but not in their VESSELS. (ii) They did not know that oil in the VESSELS MUST BE BOUGHT. Thus, if the argument is brought that they were unbelievers, and oil is salvation, the the parable teaches salvation by WORKS. If the argument is brought that "now is the time for salvation" they refute themselves because the foolish Virgins got the required oil and came to their Lord. What AI did not tell you concerning the word "knew" is that is "oida" in the Greek. It means "I do not recognize you by sight". That is, the Virgin had spent NO TIME with her Groom. In certain cultures marriages are organized by the parents. The Groom sees his bride the very first time at the wedding feast. But Jesus sought a RELATIONSHIP. In Matthew 7:21-23 the word for "knew" is "ginosko", which means "intimate knowledge" like "knowing a woman" (Lk.1:35). In both cases Christians are addressed. In both cases WORKS were judged. In both cases lack of INTIMACY was the cause. In both cases entering the Kingdom of Heaven was the issue - not salvation

Paul said in Romans 8 when he said, "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death." What is the Law of sin? The law of sin in the above phrase is not the Law or a law found in the Book of the Law or of the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments. Most people don't understand this text, so if you think it is, you are not alone. Please follow along. In context Paul says that he does what he doesn't want to do because sin dwells in him in Rom 7:20. After saying this he says in context to it in verse 21, "I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me." In other words not being able to control himself (ourselves) because of the indwelling sin is the law he found. This is brought out even further by the next two verses. Paul says that he delights in the Law of God in relation to the good that he wants to do. But then he says he sees ANOTHER law in his members. This OTHER law that he says he found, the law that when he would do good evil is present with him. It is through this law he does what he would not, because of the sin that dwells in him. He as we can't help ourselves. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me (us) from this body of death that has sin dwelling in it? Then because of the good that Paul wants to do He thanks God through Jesus Christ that he serves the Law of God with His mind. But there is a contrast in his flesh that he can not do what he would. He is in captivity, serving the law of sin in and with his flesh. However there is therefore NOW no condemnation to us who are in Christ Jesus he continues in chapter 8. We who walk after the Spirit, His Spirit and not after the flesh, the sin that dwells in it. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin, the law that he found and is, the law that when we would do good evil is present with us. The law that we do what we would not, because of the sin that dwells in us and the result of it is death. For the wages of sin is death. (Rom 6:23) For what the law, the law of God that we serve with our minds could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh that had sin dwelling in it, God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:That the righteousness of the law of God might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit of Christ Jesus whom we are in. And He in us that the world might believe. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. So say not in your heart, who shall bring Christ, through which we recieve the Word, His commandments and statutes contained in the Book of the Law in the heart down from above or up from the deep. But the righteousness of faith speaks this. The Word is in your heart and in your mouth that you can do it. That the righteousness of the Law, the Law of God be fulfilled in us who walk after the Spirit of Christ and not after the flesh, the sin that dwells in us. This is the word of faith in which we preach. Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Rom 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above) Rom 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Deut 30:10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. Deut 30:11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. Deut 30:12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Deut 30:13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Deut 30:14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

Paul said in Romans 8 when he said, "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death." What is the Law of sin? The law of sin in the above phrase is not the Law or a law found in the Book of the Law or of the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments. Most people don't understand this text, so if you think it is, you are not alone. Please follow along. In context Paul says that he does what he doesn't want to do because sin dwells in him in Rom 7:20. After saying this he says in context to it in verse 21, "I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me." In other words not being able to control himself (ourselves) because of the indwelling sin is the law he found. This is brought out even further by the next two verses. Paul says that he delights in the Law of God in relation to the good that he wants to do. But then he says he sees ANOTHER law in his members. This OTHER law that he says he found, the law that when he would do good evil is present with him. It is through this law he does what he would not, because of the sin that dwells in him. He as we can't help ourselves. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me (us) from this body of death that has sin dwelling in it? Then because of the good that Paul wants to do He thanks God through Jesus Christ that he serves the Law of God with His mind. But there is a contrast in his flesh that he can not do what he would. He is in captivity, serving the law of sin in and with his flesh. However there is therefore NOW no condemnation to us who are in Christ Jesus he continues in chapter 8. We who walk after the Spirit, His Spirit and not after the flesh, the sin that dwells in it. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin, the law that he found and is, the law that when we would do good evil is present with us. The law that we do what we would not, because of the sin that dwells in us and the result of it is death. For the wages of sin is death. (Rom 6:23) For what the law, the law of God that we serve with our minds could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh that had sin dwelling in it, God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:That the righteousness of the law of God might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit of Christ Jesus whom we are in. And He in us that the world might believe. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. So say not in your heart, who shall bring Christ, through which we recieve the Word, His commandments and statutes contained in the Book of the Law in the heart down from above or up from the deep. But the righteousness of faith speaks this. The Word is in your heart and in your mouth that you can do it. That the righteousness of the Law, the Law of God be fulfilled in us who walk after the Spirit of Christ and not after the flesh, the sin that dwells in us. This is the word of faith in which we preach. Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Rom 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above) Rom 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Deut 30:10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. Deut 30:11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. Deut 30:12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Deut 30:13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Deut 30:14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

yes different things are happening against believers here. If I am not wrong there will be strict rules and regulations to check the growth of number of believers. You know we meet unbelievers but I think it will be wise to talk to them they come for fellowship and we give Bibles that to this should be a top secret and others should not know or else more problems for believers and others will arise. Here there are fellowships and house Churches so I think we can talk to these fellowship and house Churches and provide Bibles that too with prayers and encouragement. I think we can send Bibles to others secretly. I think having large number of Bibles is not good. I would say Bibles between 20-30 is good to distribute. We have to see the time and place and consider everything. I can say as we have no Bibles we donot give them we should be prepared in season and out of season as Bible says. I think we should distribute less numbers of Bibles but increase the days of distribution. I think we have to change our strategy in Bible distribution

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – U.S. troops have begun building a maritime pier off the coast of the Gaza Strip to speed up humanitarian aid into the wartorn territory, White House and U.S. military officials say. The temporary floating dock in the Mediterranean Sea comes despite fears over how food and other goods will be delivered safely, officials said. Military leaders say the seafaring aid project, first announced by U.S. President Joe Biden in March, is backed by crucial American military vessels, Worthy News learned. “I can confirm that U.S. military vessels, to include the USNS Benavidez, have begun to construct the initial stages of the temporary pier and causeway at sea,” said Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder. About 1,000 US troops will support the military effort, including in coordination cells in Cyprus and Israel, according to officials familiar with the situation. “Construction of the pier is expected to be completed in early May. Once completed, it will initially facilitate the delivery of an estimated 90 truckloads of international aid into Gaza,” said the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) in remarks obtained by Worthy News. The pier will scale to “up to 150 truckloads once fully operational,” the DOD added in a statement. ORDERING TROOPS However, U.S. President Biden ordered American forces not to step foot on the Gaza shore, officials said. A third party will be driving trucks down the pier onto the beach, Worthy News learned. Biden, who seeks re-election this year, has made clear he does not want American troops caught up in Israel’s war against Hamas, deemed a terrorist organization by the Israeli government and most of its Western allies. Yet, dangers for U.S. troops backing Israel were underscored Thursday as news emerged of a mortar attack near the area where the pier will eventually touch the ground. No U.S. forces were present, but a United Nations team inspecting the site was reportedly forced to take shelter. Efforts to reach Gaza with aid through the sea come after troubles with airdrops, with medics saying five people were shot dead in recent weeks and dozens more injured during riots over the distribution of aid delivered by plane. Twelve people drowned trying to get to aid dropped by plane off a Gaza beach in March, several sources said. Others have reported deaths by stabbing, as well as in stampedes. SEVERAL KILLED Earlier last month, five were killed near what Palestinians view as the “coastal refugee camp” known as al-Shati, as a parachute failed to deploy properly and aid fell on waiting men, teenagers, and children. Israel has come under pressure for allegedly not allowing enough aid into Gaza and using hunger as a weapon. However, Israel has shrugged off these allegations, saying much aid is taken by Hamas or sold at black markets. Despite the reported human suffering, Israel says it will continue its battle against Hamas. The Hamas-run Health Ministry said Thursday that it has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, around two-thirds of them children and women. Those figures have been difficult to verify independently in an area of virtually nonexistent press freedom. The Israel-Hamas war was sparked by the unprecedented October 7 raid into southern Israel in which Hamas fighters killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 hostages. Israel says Hamas is still holding around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others. The post US Building Maritime Aid Pier for Gaza appeared first on Worthy Christian News. View the full article

I agree, God leads us to start where it will benefit us the most. The situation in India is also very severe for those unaware. There's been a strong sense of nationalism rising over the years, and Hinduism is very much linked to that. It's not nationwide violence and persecution, but there are certainly times and places where it's extremely dangerous. I get why you'd want to focus on distributing Bibles amongst believers who need them. We're the body of Christ and have different purposes, so it seems fine to focus on building up the church from within. Something I'm curious is what would you be working with in terms of numbers? How many people would be distributing Bibles? How many Bibles would you like to distribute?

I started with Revelation myself. At the time I had no idea it was the last book in the Bible. People joked that I was going to end up reading it in reverse.

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Thessalonians 5:9) [Emphasis added] What is the reason for the Tribulation, and who faces it? Can a Christian be partially saved, needing remedial judgment, wrath, and correction, and having a partial Holy Spirit indwelling? It seems to me Salvation (faith) and Reward (earned) are connected but not the same: Salvation is the deliverance from danger or suffering, with a focus on eternal spiritual deliverance in Christian doctrine. It involves being saved from God's judgment of sin and the removal of sin's consequences through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift from God, achieved through Jesus' death and resurrection, and is only accessible through faith. To receive salvation, one must hear the gospel, believe in Jesus, repent from sin, and call on the Lord. The Christian doctrine of salvation entails being saved from eternal punishment for sin by accepting God's conditions of repentance and faith in Jesus. Salvation is exclusive to Jesus and relies solely on God for provision, assurance, and security. Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered REWARDS (Gk. misthos, meaning “hire, wage, reward,” Matt. 5:12, 46; 6:1; 10:41; Mark 9:41; 1 Cor. 3:8; etc.). Rewards are offered by God to a believer on the basis of faithful service rendered after salvation. It is clear from Scripture that God offers to the lost salvation and for the faithful service of the saved, rewards. Often in theological thinking salvation and rewards are confused. However, these two terms must be carefully distinguished. Salvation is a free gift (John 4:10; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8–9, whereas rewards are earned by works (Matt. 10:42; cf. Luke 19:17; 1 Cor. 9:24–25; 2 Tim. 4:7–8).[1] So, if we have Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, even if we are slothful, we are still the sons of God, the bride of Christ, and saints. Will partial brides (the body of Christ) attend the marriage of the Lamb and marriage feast? I see participation and rule in the Millennial reign as potentially a reward for service (parables). Matthew's description of "outer darkness" may not be Hell but exclusion. Just thinking out loud with my thoughts. [1] Unger, Merrill F. “Rewards.” The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, edited by R.K. Harrison, Rev. and updated ed., Moody Press, 1988.

That's true!

Acts of kindness will have a lasting affect to unbelievers. I still recall acts of kindness by Christians toward me before I was Christian. I'm speaking 40+ years of remembrance.

With such closed eyes, of course you don't see anything. Because you don't want to. There are lots of facts that support an old earth and Genesis 1 being a restoration, but you just aren't interested in what you don't want to be. I've already shown you the Greek word that means "restore" in Heb 11:3, which refers to Genesis 1. And you call that insignificant. And there is Mark 10:6 - “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.'" Ken Ham uses this verse as a prooftext for a 6,000 year age of earth. However, if one does some research among scholarly textbooks in the reference section of a Christian University, they will find significant information. Mark 10:6 - “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ Obviously, the reference to Adam and the woman takes us to Genesis 1 and 2. 2 Pet 3:4 - They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” Again, the reference to “our ancestors” would take us back to the original parents, Adam and Eve, and Genesis 1 and 2. So, how do these verses relate to the age of the earth? The Greek word for “creation” in both verses is κτίσεως. My lexicon refers this word to ‘ktisis’. This Greek word is found under ‘κτίζω’. Under this word we read: “to reduce from a state of wildness and disorder”, from Bagster & Sons lexicon. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2936: κτίζω κτίζω: 1 aorist ἔκτισα; perfect passive ἐκτισμαι; 1 aorist passive ἐκτίσθην; the Sept. chiefly for בָּרָא; properly, to make habitable, to people, a place, region, island (Homer, Herodotus, Thucydides, Diodorus, others); hence to found, a city, colony, state, etc. So from 2 independent Greek lexicon sources, this Greek word for ‘creation’ refers to a creation from a state of disorder and wildness. Or, to make something habitable that wasn’t habitable before. Kittel’s Theological Dictionary of the New Testament notes that in a long dissertation of κτίζω, that “in the religion of many peoples chaos stands at the beginning of being and becoming”. The account of creation from Adam and Eve was passed down among the generations. So the common thread of “chaos” in so many different religions would have come from what Genesis 1:2 actually says in the original, not in how most English translation renders it. The Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament, by Balz and Schneider Eds. makes notes that “the OT creation narratives are most intelligible within the framework of ancient Near Eastern views, each motif has parallels. The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology & Exegesis, by Sylva, notes that κτίζω is used in the the Septuagint for the rebuilding of Jerusalem in Ezra 5:17. It further notes that the word group for κτίζω is used always of divine creation, with 1 exception, in 1 Pet 2:13. Silva also connects κτίζω with the believer being a new creation. This point is also noted in Kittel’s text. This parallels the restoration of the earth in Gen 1 with regeneration of the believer. Thus,I've cited 5 scholarly texts that address the Greek word for "creation" and they all point to a "creation from chaos", and the LXX used for "rebuilding of Jerusalem in Ezra 5:17". You've been given AMPLE evidence for Genesis 1 being a restoration of earth for man's use.