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As far as I can see, tough marriages are from the Lord. Don't get me wrong. I'm still on my first wife of 45 years, and I wouldn't swap her for anybody I've met in my life. But she's very moral and very resolute. The reasons I see as follows. 1. We fallen ones are pain for our Lord Jesus. He knows that but we have to learn it. Sometime in your later years you're going to weep when you see how you don't please the Lord. 2. You both learn to deny yourselves. There is no place like marriage for having to step back when you don't feel like it. 3. God teaches you about BOTH grace and government. To the man is given HEADSHIP not KINGSHIP. The Alfa-Male approach does not work well in marriage. Nor does a strong-willed wife. But many of us are like this, and God lets us grind each other to learn that it has to often be somebody else's will and not yours. And then, after the heat of battle, forgiveness is needed, or else backing off from being right. We mostly think that God was talking to the woman here ... 16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. (Ge 3:16) ... but the Hebrew word "thy desire" is the same as is found in 4:7; 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. It basically means that like sin wants to dominate us, so the woman will try to dominate the husband. But in both cases the Lord gives the man rule, and does NOT retract his (the man's) responsibility. A mini war is thus pre-programmed. It is best both parties are informed about this and can then make the effort not to self-destruct. Contrary to today's philosophy of "self - self - self", marriage is designed by God to train self-denial, self-crucifixion, self-abasement, self-discipline - all the attributes that God finds attractive in His friends and which abound in His Son Jesus.

Anyone who thinks these are not in the Bible, does not believe in heaven, or even in Christ. Now before you come down on me, let me ask you, do you believe Christ offers salvation from death? Is that not life, true life? Does this salvation also give you freedom from sin? Does it not give you a place in heaven? Do you not think heaven is going to be a happy place? Or do you plan to be miserable there? If you believe in the above then you believe in the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness as well. Just unlike most of the world we just realize we can't obtain true life, liberty, nor happiness while here on earth. Those are the very thing Christ offers us in salvation. The founding fathers were in essence trying to at least partially model that. Now, was their definition God's definition? No they were trying to offer us those things here on earth, because they can't offer us heaven, but it was indeed their model.

Yes, they can cause you dreams and attack you in your sleep. i've experienced it. Dreams can come from yourself, from God, or from Satan (demons). You are in spiritual warfare, and when this happens you need to rebuke them in Jesus name, and pray and speak the Word of God over yourself. This is why it is important to become intimate with God's Word, and to read the Bible, and to keep the scriptures constantly in your heart and mind. But be at peace, because if you are saved in Jesus Christ, and believe He is the son of God who died for your sins, these demons oppressing your dreams have no real power over you.

In my humble opinion, I believe that 10% being raptured is very optimistic. I honestly believe the number will be much lower than that. However even if it was only 1%, with the current population of the world, that would be over 80 million people. Such a thing is definitely going to be noticed and will cause tremendous tragedies worldwide. In fact it's possible that the actual day of the rapture will be the most traumatic and deadly day in the history of our planet. As to the timing of it I believe that it absolutely must occur within the next 30 or 40 years. Obviously we will have no immediate warning right before it, as Jesus said they would come like a thief in the night meaning instantly and without warning. The rapture is a controversial subject not because it's not biblical, but because false teachers in the last couple hundred years have sown lots of doubt into the church regarding the subject. Fortunately scripture is our authority and not preachers. Since the rapture is very biblical we should not have any doubt about it occurring.

As you said, God arranged it. Be sure, in thick and thin, that you take that into account. Isaac's marriage was arranged as well. Jesus came out of it. I hope I'm not so naive as to think that all is plain sailing. They say that you will come across about three people in a lifetime that you could have made a marriage work with. But God makes the choice. One thing I was told as a young man which became reality only a decade ago. A woman marries a man and secretly says; "I'll change him". But we men don't change. The man says at his wedding; "I hope she never changes". But ... she does. But, going back to the Lord's choice .... I'm 73 at my next birthday. I've lived .. and nearly died. I've been prosperous and nearly bankrupt. My life ... and my Christian life has had highs and lows. The only constant was God. He was never caught by surprise and He is such a Master of circumstance that every thing taught me some thing I needed - especially my wife. My favorite scripture for everyday life is Romans 8:28 - a deep sigh - and then verse 29.

Some good thoughts, @AdHoc You're at 45 years and counting. I'm approaching 37 years of an arranged marriage. God arranged my marriage to an older woman who I wouldn't have chosen on my own.

At the end of the records and chronicles of the kings of Israel and Judah, a unique voice arose. After the reign of wicked Manasseh, his son ascended to the throne, briefly... 2 Kings 21: 19 Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. 20 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh had done. 21 So he walked in all the ways that his father had walked; and he served the idols that his father had served, and worshiped them. 22 He forsook the Lord God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of the Lord. 23 Then the servants of Amon conspired against him, and killed the king in his own house. 24 But the people of the land executed all those who had conspired against King Amon. Then the people of the land made his son Josiah king in his place. Such was the state of affairs that the people rose up and appointed themselves a king. Unlike their first king, when they entreated Samuel to appoint them a king to lead them. 1 Samuel 8: 19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, No, but we will have a king over us, 20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles. This was surely no longer their desire when they appointed a boy to be king. 1 Kings 22:1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. 2 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. Such are the ways of Yeshurun, those who walk uprightly; heeding the Voice of the Spirit. Isaiah 30:21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.

So marriage is tough. Imagine that. The Bible is full of rough tough marriage accounts. All sorts of emotions tweaked to ungodly actions even murder. Yet marriage is also the model God uses to tell us of our relationship with him under Yeshua. What an awesome model that is. Might marriages in general benefit greatly from placing Yeshua at the head of each such union? -Rhetorical question; for of course it will. Yet, is it what is done, or not? What if one is willing to lose every battle in marriage relationship in order to win the victory? What if one is willing to be in prayer for their mate in all situations, starting each day in that prayer? Might one become so strengthened in faith of Yeshua through prayer for one's mate as to be well able to endure the tough marriage times? And even count them for joy.

Are the prophesies for Israel, along with the promises, exclusive to them.

@teddyv made a factually correct assertion and you accuse him of jealousy? It's true: The Enlightenment, fomented by French philosophers' discontent with monarchial Europe, was a humanistic movement. Furthermore, the Enlightenment influenced key members of the nascent United States such as Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, et. al., and served as the philosophical basis for the foundation of the United States. Additionally, the Deism of those same individuals was an outgrowth of the humanistic Enlightenment and was inseminated in that preamble. Deism is not Christian at all. Thomas Jefferson in particular stands out for his Deist beliefs and practices.

That sounds like idolatry to me.

Moses was a young earth creationist. Jesus, who was there, is a young earth creationist. God, in Exodus 20:11 speaks of the 6 day creation. In 1611, the King James Bible detailed a six day creation and the generations proving a relatively young earth. Your repeated claim that belief in the creation as written is a recent revision of God's word is absolutely refuted by the facts.

The following article is reprinted with permission from A Historical Atlas of the Jewish People edited by Eli Barnavi and published by Schocken Books. In a pamphlet published in 1873, Der Sieg des Judentums uber das Germanentum (“The Victory of Judaism over Germandom”), Wilhelm Marr, the German political agitator, coined the term “antisemit­ism.” Fortuitous though it may have been, the coincidence of the inven­tion of the word and the manifesta­tions of what could be considered early modern anti-Semitism was cer­tainly very symbolic. Themes and notions of a whole new kind were now grafted upon traditional anti‑Judaism.

The preamble does not have any Biblical justification despite the appeal to a "Creator". It's a deeply humanistic concept stemming from the Enlightenment. God grants us life, but he clearly can demand our lives at his pleasure.

The time/times/half time is/equivalent to 3 1/2 years, or 42 months, or 1260 days. Nothing more, nothing less. One can only use one time frame, it fits all. In Christ Montana Marv

Hence the absolute need for the new birth (John 3)............

Hi @Marilyn C The truth of the Rapture of the church is also a spur to faithful service meanwhile........

Sounds expensive...but then again the cost of ammo these days isn't exactly cheap lol. $100 used to keep me going all afternoon at the local prairie dog field...now I can burn through $100 of ammo in less than an hour lol.

My mother didn't have her ears pierced but I wanted mine done, just because everyone has them done and I like earrings. I was 9 but they closed over, then I went again at 13

Shalom, eastgate. Let's just say that the prophecies and the promises are PRIMARILY for Israel, but through the Messiah, Gentile believers can also be a part of His Kingdom and share in His bounty! When Gentile believers are adopted into God's family, they become BROTHERS to the Messiah, and are actually included into His tribe, the tribe of Yhudah (or Judah). We can likewise call God, "our Father!" When we share in His family, we also share in the promises and the prophecies for Israel.

Hi Dennis, Yes, we both love to talk of the Lord and His soon coming. Now, in Acts 1: 12 the Lord was on the Mount of Olives and He ascended from there. And we know from the prophet Zechariah 14: 4 that that is where the Lord will return to earth again to deliver Israel and deal with the rebellious. As to the `catching away,` that is to meet the Lord in the air, not on the Mount of Olives. Hope that helps. Marilyn.

Once we see the light and turn from darkness, our lives will still spiral - but now in the right direction. Psalm 84:4-7 4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah 5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.

Another thing I'll point out is that the meanings of things changes over time. There was a time when if you said someone was gay everyone would think you meant the person was joyful, not homosexual. Anything pagan about Christmas has long since been stripped away. There's not any real battle going on to repaganize Christmas, but there is one going on as the world tries to strip the day of Christian meaning by forcing people to take down nativity scenes and other explicitly Christian elements.

How can they find the way unless someone shows them the way.... I have come to the conclusion there will be so much for us to do till we get get our houses in order. And all the more as the day approaches. Share the word and gather your sheaves while there's still time. It's gonna happen when it's gonna happen. My infallible prediction. “He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:6). Thanks Dennis...

I had covid for about a week and it went away I kept reading the Bible lol.

The believer being baptized is already born again: Romans 8.9 says that all true believers already have the Spirit of God. (Baptism is a symbol.)

Humans are corrupted. Part of that corruption entails the capacity to convince ourselves that truth is untruth (and visa-versa) - regardless of the strength of the available evidence. Further to that corruption, is the desire to be our own master (ergo, the desire that God, our true Lord - to which we are ultimately accountable, does not exist). This generates a confirmation bias against the existence of God (i.e. the tendency to attribute greater weight of evidence than objectively warranted to things that dispute God's existence, and conversely, attributing lower weight of evidence to claims that support God's existence). At some stage, people who find themselves on this self-perpetuating cycle of reasoning, made a decision that they don't like the concept of God, and therefore do not want to believe. They thus ride this cycle into ever increasing self-deception - all-the-while God gently encouraging them towards the truth - and they (hopefully, eventually) wake up enough to see through the lies and deception that they have wrapped around themselves.

John Gill: Verse 1. "The fool hath said in his heart,...." This is to be understood not of a single individual person, as Nabal, which is the word here used; nor of some Gentile king, as Sennacherib, or Rabshakeh his general, as Theodoret; nor of Nebuchadnezzar, nor of Titus, as some Jewish writers {y} interpret it, making one to be here intended, and the other in the fifty third psalm: the same with this; but of a body, a set of men, who justly bear this character; and design not such who are idiots, persons void of common sense and understanding; but such who are fools in their morals, without understanding in spiritual things; wicked profligate wretches, apostates from God, alienated from the life of God; and whose hearts are full of blindness and ignorance, and whose conversations are vile and impure, and they being enemies of righteousness, though full of all wicked subtlety and mischief: these say in their hearts, which are desperately wicked, and out of which evil thoughts proceed, pregnant with atheism and impiety; these endeavor to work themselves into such a belief, and inwardly to conclude, at least to wish, "[there is] no God;" Though they do not express it with their mouths, yet they would fain persuade their hearts to deny the being of God; that so having no superior to whom they are accountable, they may go on in sin with impunity.

Howdy Marilyn, always nice to chit-chat. It is one of my favorite biblical topics to discuss as a pretribulation believer. At my age, chances are I will taste the sting of physical death, but I genuinely believe the Rapture is very close. The following is from memory, which could be flawed: In the twinkling of an eye, we will all be changed (our glorified bodies). I do not recall the Bible saying we will immediately rise to meet the Lord in the clouds. I take it we will ascend in like manner as Jesus did, the apostles watching His ascension. I picture it as slowly going up. Could we have a little time on Earth before our ascension? I checked a lot of commentaries on the following, and all were primarily silent, so it is another mystery. Matthew 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53. And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. It is speculation and not biblical, but I suspect we might be called up by name. Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. We might even be blessed with some anticipation of what will occur. There will be a shout and trumpet blast before our glorification. That will take moments, and to whom is the shout and trumpet directed? It appears to me we will hear it immediately before our blessed hope. Possibly those left behind will hear thunder as another biblical example. Many scholars and theologians I study surmise that 10% of the global population leaves the planet at the harpazo. I have no idea how they derived that figure. With the disappearance of millions of people (if that estimate is close to accurate), tens of millions more will be screaming for answers about where their friends and loved ones went. I can only think of a couple of plausible explanations. Communications are down because of an EMP attack (becoming likely by the day now) or severe CME or solar flare wipes out electronics. Thus far, I am leaning toward “beam me up Scotty.” I suspect a great deception is coming.

As Deborah mentioned, the book might possibly be in "public domain" now....therefore free to use. P.S. Next time allow more time for your assignment.

Your argument is flawed, @Bro.Tan. The numbers we use are Hindu-Arabic in origin, credited to two Middle-Eastern mathematicians. They were pagans. The alphabet we are using on this forum has it's origins with the Phoenicians. They were Philistines and pagans. The New Testament was written in Koine Greek, a language of pagans. When will you stop engaging in pagan customs, my friend? Seeing as how the Lord taught us to examine ourselves first, see to your own conduct before teaching others to do as you say, not as you do.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Psalm 37:23

For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Exodus 20:11

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Genesis 1:31

Haggai 2:12 "If a man carries consecrated meat in the fold of his garment, and it touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any other food, does that item become holy?’” “No,” replied the priests." That one simple verse gives a rather powerful lesson -an insight- about many of the things we face today and how to handle them and what we should be looking for in regard to them, and I'm not talking n the sense of food but of all we deal with in life.

We all do that -react in the moment. However I've found if I don't have an outlet, these reactions happen more often. I'm far more likely to react in the moment. A lot of the men in the Facebook group I'm in prefer MMA or other forms of martial arts, because not only does it give them a release but it teaches discipline, and it's discipline that helps us keep that cool in the moment and react in an appropriate manner.

So when is the resurrection of the dead, and the living in Christ being caught up to the Lord? 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 16 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: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Notice we see #1 the Lord himself decending, #2 the trump of the archangel is sounded, #3 “the dead rise first”and #4 the living are caught up to meet the Lord. So when do the dead in Christ rise first? The answer is below… John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. So it is clear, the dead are raised on “the last day”. Notice the judgment is also on the last day as well…. John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. The Judgment of saints is shown on the last day…. Revelation 20:4 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Confirmed here…. Daniel 7:21-22 21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.” When do saints posses the kingdoms of this world? Revelation 11:15 15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Daniel was told when he shall stand in the lot of his inheritance, and that was not until “the end.” Daniel 12:13 13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days. Notice in the above, (Daniel 7:22) Christ first comes and the judgment is given to the saints on the last day. So when does Christ come? Son of Gods coming last day…. Luke 17:26-31 26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Notice above it was “the day” Noah entered they were destroyed, and “the same day” Lot left Sodom they were destroyed. At the last day, at the Last Trump…. 1Corinthians 15:51-52 “Behold I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at “the last trump:” for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead in Christ shall be raised incorruptable, and we shall be changed” Notice at “the last trump”the dead are raised, and so what happens at the last trump… Revelation 10:7 7 But in the days of the voice of “the seventh angel,” when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be “finished,” as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. Revelation 11:12 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. Revelation 11:15 15 And “the seventh angel sounded;” and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Also notice the elect are still on earth during the great tribulation and wrath of God. Matthew 24:22 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Revelation 7:14 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 16:15 15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. All the scriptures agree there is no resurrection of the dead or the living in Christ until “the last day,”and at “the last trump.” Now some will try to use Matthew 24:40-41 And Luke 17:34-37 as pre-trib rapture proof, but again Jesus says it has to do with His coming, when the Son is revealed. And both of those prophecies speak of the destruction of the ungodly on that same day, as it was in Noah’s day and in Lots day, just as we saw above in Luke 17:26-31. It says the same in Matthew 24:38 that “the day” Noah entered the ark the flood came and took them all away. Now in Luke17:36 Jesus said one shall be taken, and the other left. In the next verse Jesus is asked where? Jesus replies “Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.” To prove this has to do with Christs second coming we go to Matthew 24:27-28 “ For as the lightning comes out of th east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.” So what is Jesus speaking of here about a carcase and eagles being gathered together? Jesus is speaking of the supper of the great God mentioned in Revelation 19:17 And if you look at the context of Revelation chapter 19:11-21 it is about the second coming of Christ with all his saints, the marriage supper of the Lamb, the slaughter of the beasts army and the kings of the earth, and their flesh being fed to the fowls. And also the judgment of the beast and false prophet, which happens on “the last day.” Revelation 19:11-2111 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. 17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” So all the scriptures agree, all these things happen on “the last day.” Notice what Paul says below… Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” This also proves there is no secret pre-trib rapture because at “the last day” God is going to gather together “all the host”of heaven along with “all”the dead and living saints on earth at this single end time event. Peace

An over joyful African Jackal at SavAFox rescue center.

I believe as the bible says we will be raised at the "last trump" or just before it. The last trump doesn't happen until, well, the end of that chain of events. Trumpets are not silent, so how anyone gets anything secret from this I don't quite gather. It corresponds to when our Lord comes in the heavens which won't be much of a secret either I don't believe we will see the wrath of God which to me means we will be protected for the wrath intended for those who rebelled and didn't follow God.. Some believe this to be a snatching away before major events transpire because they see it as the only solution to safety, but I believe we can be protected while here if we are still here. Neither does this idea negate that some may be martyred. There is a purpose for God allowing this to happen for a time to some of His own. I mean, He sent His own Son to die, so it only stands to reason, we are followers of His and may experience His suffering in that capacity. Not really any different than what happens even now in various places on earth. Martyrdom of believers is not the wrath of God.

Only among those following these preachers. Fact. Jesus is coming again. Fact. No one knows when. Fact. Those on line preachers are 100% wrong, because no one knows when. Fact. We are to live expecting Jesus's return.

Hi @Holytrinity Good to know and remember always that the Lord Jesus has the victory: 1 Corinthians 15.57-58: "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

Of course you know one purpose of our Chistian journey is to build character and how is that going to happen if we don't have battles? Everyone has an inroad where God allows Satan to buffet us. Sounds like you just shared yours. I think an upside is to see this as an opportunity rather than a problem.

What I find most concerning is that if we don't acknowledge the enemy how can we fight him, or be representatives to a lost world? Yes yes yes, I'm all for being objective and looking at EVERYTHING, yet some people will use this as an excuse to deny our present spiritual reality. To exclude any other possibilites other than "it's a medical thing". To be perfectly objective I don't think we can rule out either one or it could be both. @kwikphilly was into that world apparently and has experienced some of it. @other one has also had encounters. I have done extensive study and have experienced some of this both in the natural world and in the spiritual world. They most assuredly ARE real and the BIBLE fully supports them as existing. JESUS cast them out and appointed others to do the same. I believe it does the poster a disservice to imply he has only a medical problem when he has seen some of the common things associated with these things. In order to deny demons one must cut out half of their bible, even if they themselves never experienced it personally. You have never seen Jesus face to face either yet you believe in Him. What I think we need are more aware Christians who are prepared spiritually to confront these things. We fight a spiritual battle folks and that involves demons and fallen angels. The aggressors are not often overt, but any Christian worth their salt knows they are there and knows the Lord has authority over all of them, which indireclty gives US authority if we tread properly and understand where we stand. To live in denial of the evil spiritual world and the occult is to loose the battle from the get go. The DEVIL walks about as a lion seeking who he can devour, and he just loves doubting skeptical Christians.

I am praying for you and will continue to do so-I completely understand what you are talking about so don't get discouraged or think thst everyone " doesn't get it"- okay? @other one gets it too- not everyone has witness,seen,heard or experienced and some even deny what they do not know exists.... never mind thst,you know exactly what you are dealing with and recognizing is half the battle- the rest of the battle isn't even yours- Jesus is Victorious! He Conquered over 2000 yrs ago on Calvary- it is Finished!In HIM we are Victorious I'm thrilled you have been Born Again- you've explained several times,I'm listening.... I do not doubt what you've seen or what you are dealing with just try to understand that even Born Again Christians may or may not recognize what is unseen..... dive deep into the Word of God and enter into God's Rest-Growing Closer & Closer to our Heavenly Father in Christ Jesus You will learn to Trust God for Provision as you learn to hear His Still Small Voice for Guidance and Direction- your Relationship with HIM is top priority.The spirit of fear is a liar,your " benefits" are a resource - God is the SOURCE! As you grow & mature,being a New Creature in Christ Jesus you will " decrease" as He " Increases "- that is a Renewing of the mind where you no longer think with a carnal mind but with the Heart & Mind of Christ A Life More Abundant awaits you once you " let go" and let God- children of God Most High have no need to panhandle or depend on resources for survival- He Will Show you a better way,give you opportunities to work and make a good living ... (Duet 8:18),no begging,borrowing or stealing..... Read His Word and seek HIM with all your heart,mind & soul.... I assure you,your life will change "RESIST the devil & he will flee" - we see from Jesus in tye wilderness that he does flee( for a time).... oh he will be back,but with no consequence when you are prepared,protected,awawake and armed! With love in Christ,Kwik

You said: "I think I've defeated the demons" Just remember what Jesus said; " For apart from Me you can do nothing" But, "In Christ you can do all things" To be in Christ, you must be born again, of the spirit of God. This is God's way. The devil is a deceiver, the father of lies. To be born again you must declare Jesus is your Lord.

Blessings @Holytrinity You're always going to get naysayers- unbelievers are going to speak of mans" facts",scientific ' evidence " and the things you see,hear and all the ways of the worldly carnal minded - forgive the ignorance because they are under strong delusion and walk by FAITH Friend,not by sight....God's Truth is all that matters,not mans " facts" This is not to say " stop your medications" - your body has been introduced to medications have a physical effects( as well as emotional/mental) and should be weaned off properly when the time comes,following instruction from your prescribing physician. God Certainly Can & Does Use Physicians and medications to Heal and Help the sick......Standing Firmly Established in God's Word and through your Relationship with God in Christ Jesus youre Primary Care doctor is the Great Physician .... Demonic possession,oppression,bondage aka spiritual warfare is very real and the root cause of malady.... Medications will help address some symptoms but they cannot deliver from shackles and chains - only Jesus Will set you FREE! Be Blessed,keep your eyes on Jesus and do not be distracted by the wind,the waves and storms that come and go With love in Christ,Kwik

In some cases addressing demonic activity is justified, but certainly extremes and unscriptural practices are to be avoided. Those who have been delivered from demonic control appreciate genuine Spirit-led ministry and reject counterfeits.

There are some very angry, aggressive, and devious people at large. I am convinced that God doesn't want His People to be dominated, intimidated, manipulated, or seduced, so when threatened by antagonists I tell them I want to speak to them about the Lord Jesus Christ and proceed to tell them that Christ died for them to take away their sin. A number of times whilst carrying out my groundkeeping duties when no other staff are present at the government installation I am contracted to, I have been approached in an antisocial and menacing way by transients on site without authorisation. More than once I have been charged at and threatened with violence by an agitated individual who has parked up and left a mess, and been asked to clean it up and stop trespassing. My challenge for him to stop in the name of Jesus Christ has been effective, and my references to his sin being paid for by Jesus Christ on the cross reduced his aggression to belligerently bringing his face to within centremetres of mine, at which time I told him Jesus loved him and I wanted to be his friend. Some interesting dialogue has taken place, with colourful language used to question what I knew about his sin, my answer being again that I knew Christ had died to take away his sin and set him free from it. With the help of the Holy Spirit these confrontations were de-escalated with plenty of verbal assaults but no actual physical contact, and more signs have been placed to warn such persons to stay off the premises, from which plants, landscape features, and vehicles have been stolen.

@NConly Good to quote, maybe easy to quote but it can also take a lifetime to perfect, as we seek increasingly to be led by the grace of God and concentrate on Gospel priorities.

1 Chronicles 2:55 And the families of the scribes who dwelt at Jabez were the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and the Suchathites. These were the Kenites who came from Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab. There are many who dismiss the opening chapters of Chronicles as "just a bunch of genealogies, but there is a wealth of information found there, even with this one verse. The Kenites are one of three tribes whose territory was promised to Abram, but were no longer in possession by the time of the Exodus. Genesis 15: 18 On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates— 19 the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. Compared to this verse in Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy 7:1 When the Lord your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you. The Kadmonites are never again mentioned in the standard scriptures, if anyone is a student of other sources, perhaps they will have some information to share. The Kenites are the family of the father-in-law of Moses, and his relationship to Moses plays a big role in the wilderness. Judges 1:16 Now the children of the Kenite, Moses’ father-in-law, went up from the City of Palms with the children of Judah into the Wilderness of Judah, which lies in the South near Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people. They are found living among the Amalekites, and were likely carried away there, for the Amalekites were marauders. They were liberated by Saul before destroying their main city. 1 Samuel 15:6 Then Saul said to the Kenites, Go, depart, get down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. The Kennezzites are the third tribe mentioned, and they played a major role in the early history of post-exodus Israel. They are the tribe of Caleb and Othiel, sons of Jephunneh, who settled among the tribe of Judah in the region of Hebron. This is where the genealogy becomes instructive, and very interesting. 1 Chronicles 2:42-54 lists Caleb's genealogy among Judah. He did not receive by inheritance, but by promise. The Rabbinic commentary refers to the inclusion of Caleb's genealogy with Judah as "grafting in"! This is something that Paul was well aware of, as he informs us as Gentiles that we have been grafted into Israel, and specifically through the house of David, whose lineage is also through Caleb, although he is considered a part of Judah by proximity in Hebron, who first supported David as king, and where he abode in the first seven years of his reign. The House of Rechab is another very interesting part of the narrative, and I will introduce them in a second post from Jeremiah 35 and the word of the Lord.