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  1. THE WORLD COUNCIL OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS. To bring together all the various religions of the world there needs to be a coordinated Leadership. Thus there has been established the `World Council of Religious Leaders,` in cooperation with the United Nations, to head up the Religions of the World. This World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders works in an advisory capacity with the United Nations and also with other international organisations and have put together a Charter that signifies their commitment to the common goals and shared values of peace, development, human rights and tolerance. Radiating from this top Leadership Council position there are regional Leaders and then National Leaders, till finally every church is included. Policies are written with the United Nation`s moral values, and then implemented on the local level. The Charter of the World Council of Religious Leaders states – `We believe we have the will and courage to lead our followers to accept differences, to maintain self-respect, and to live in harmony with diverse communities in the world and with humankind in general.`
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  2. lms (laugh myself silly) WCRSL ( World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders) World Cohesion Ride Starts Loading we will be told what to think and how to behave i guess i hate these policy right on speech nonsense. political correctness. i mean, "maintain self respect" i wonder what that means to them if it aint biblical based
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  3. After being changed in the twinkling of an eye, we meet the Lord in the air. Where do we go from there? All the Rapturist claim we are going to heaven. Thing is, i cant find where that is actually written. Can anyone point out the scripture that makes that claim
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  4. GLOBAL CHARTER The United Nations – Moral Values. To achieve these Sustainable Development Goals the United Nations has issued a Global Charter of common values. It is called the `Earth Charter.` The document makes a declaration for a just, sustainable, peaceful global society and its mission is to promote – `a global society founded on a shared ethical framework.` Here is a cause to unite all political and religious leaders. Here are common values that people of every religion will give their allegiance to. Note the infrastructure of church organisations throughout every society is ideal for spreading its message. The Earth Charter`s message of `changed minds & hearts,` has a `form of godliness` but denies the power of Jesus and His sacrifice for us. Today, thousands of organisations throughout the world are adopting and implementing the Earth Charter. `...a common destiny beckons us to seek a new beginning.... this requires a change of mind and heart...` Global Moral Values & their meaning. These are – respect, responsibility, justice, trustworthiness, civic virtue & citizenship, etc. We would agree with these moral values as we know from God`s word, but that is not what is meant. Here are a few examples – RESPECT – like tolerance & inclusive – means appreciation for people & lifestyles (pagan & promiscuous, different sexual preferences……) RESPONSIBILITY – refers to the `common good` of the community, where individuals must yield to the collective interests. (Socialism) CIVIC VIRTUE & CITIZENSHIP – are also open ended. Compliant citizens must be ready to conform to changing rules & evolving duties.
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  5. good question, I would have to say he does it the same way he saves some one in a Christian environment-- "faith comes by Hearing the word of God"- outside of scripture truth no one is saved- they are not saved by formula or practice, they are saved by faith
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  6. Treaties that are ratified by the Senate become law, but like all laws passed by the senate, they do not take precedence over the constitution. Agreements are between the Administration and the other party and we are not as a nation bound by them. When a new president comes along that can be swept away with the stroke of a pen. But the sitting president that made the agreement has to abide with the constitution and laws concerning the agreement. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Considering that with the Antichrist, if you consider he is the beast out of the bottomless pit (abyss) he is not human and possess knowledge from the angel realm and his army may not be what we think of as an army in this world. If he can call fire down out of the heavens, he's likely got things we don't know about. Just something to ponder.
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  7. You put that so beautifully Abby. Praise His glorious Name forever and ever!
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  8. ah things to make you go hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmn! the thought police spring to mind
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  9. Totally agree. I know the depth of man wickedness. satan can only work with what we give him to work with. and Christians also work with him. for lack of dying to self and laying down there own life
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  10. If I believed that the Bible is true history, then I would believe that a deity was actually involved in those historical events, in the same way that I believe George Washington was involved in the American Revolution. But I still would not believe in separation, or that “God” is anything other than you, me and everything else, because all distinctions are only artificial overlays on reality.
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  11. i dont know if this helps but its kind of like this i think...lets say the usa was only 2 states...Maryland and Georgia...let say Maryland had 9 million people and stood for 9 electoral votes and lets say Georgia had 8 million people and stood for 8 electorial vote... ok lets say 5 million voted for trump in maryland and 4 million for hillary.....and in Georgia 7 million voted for hillary and 1 million for trump...trump would win because he won more votes in maryland and got the 9 electoral votes to her 8 by winning georgia...but she would win popular vote because the TOTAL vote count would be 11million for hillary and only 6 million for trump...
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  12. this is a fallacy of many who do not hold to OSAS--- if a person is truly saved the Holy Spirit takes up residency in them, and he will lead them away from sin-- the desire for habitual sin is greatly diminished if not entirely quenched---- Because all sin is forgiven when you are saved technically you could do anything you want but in practice that will not happen- Gods grace keeps you from it. Being eternally saved brings you in to close fellowship with God , and Gods word the Bible-- a true Berean student of the Bible will learn of the dangers of sin and lead a life that is progressively sanctified away from the habitual practice of sin
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  14. Abby-joy, I was very surprise to read the above statement, as I read it , I see my self just about in the same line of thinking, I keep saying to my self that we are saved from the world below, and we are his own now and will be with him forever, and that's the good and most important news of the Gospel. . It was the time that when I visited different churches, people would asked me, are you saved? And I would reply, you watch me sing songs of praise to Jesus , and what do you say, can you not tell if I am saved or not. . Why would I sing to him, songs of praise if I do not believe in him, Jesus is telling us that many in the ministry will be tempted to do works of iniquity, I am not sure what he exactly means, and if the ministers had knowledge of that , because they seemed surprised. Never the less, Jesus is telling them that he is not identifying with their iniquity, and when he tried to correct them they did not listen to him, they love him, but they also loved their iniquity more, just as it happen in some of the churches in the book of revelation . Jesus is not telling them that he sends them to Hell, but that they are living not in his will, that they claim to be in his light, but that the light they have is actually darkness compare to what he has for them. Jesus is telling us to be careful and be motivated by love, and watch our doings not to lead us in works of iniquities, those people are saved, they believe in him, they call him Lord, only they had follow their own will, that lead them to do works of iniquities at the same time, as they contacted their ministries . we need also to be careful not to let those people take us under their wings, of protection and their blessings . thus they make us their sheep and take us away from the Holy Spirit, becoming the holy spirit to us. Many times I keep wandering why Jesus gave this answer to them, I think that Jesus gave them more than one answer than they asked for, he told them that God wanted them to believe in him, and when they believe in him then they will do the works of God, and we see that later on that the disciples who believe in him did the works of God, (one of them was healing the sick ), those people were inquiring as to how Jesus is doing the works of God, and wanted to know how God gave him that power, what is his secret, perhaps they wanted to know Jesus secret, and if they do what he did they can also do the works of God, and heal the sick , and these people also had wittness his disciples doing the works of God, healing the sick, and wanted to know how about them , why not them doing the works of God, Jesus told them the truth, that at that time they had to believe in him, knowing later on after the Cross , when the same people believe in him, then in his name they will do the works of God and heal the sick. I am thinking just about the same lines, if Jesus ask me, why I should I let you in the Heavens, I will say all the glory belongs to you, thank you for the cross , I have nothing else to offer. And if he test me and tell me, how about if I sent you away to the world bellow because of this and that, then if I am allow to look him stray in his eyes, I will say to him without any fear or hesitation, and in full confidence that you can not do that, you do not have the authority to do that, you can not denied yourself , you can not undo your death on the cross, that's one of the two things you can not do, the other is you can not take someone to heaven no matter how good that person is, if that person has refuse to believe in you and is found with the denial in you at the time of his last breath. How bewtifull are the feet of those who bring good news. And thanks for loving Jesus for his work on the Cross. This love not one can take it from you, not even those who want to include their good works together with their faith in him. Very please to read your post God bless
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  15. Hi mabel, Yes the global sustainable goals sound all `new & shiny` & who wouldn`t want to end poverty, live together in harmony, have peace & safety, etc etc but as you rightly perceive there is a `catch.` read the small print `made by man.` Mmmmmm anything made by man in those areas (relationships) is not going to work. Only the Lord can solve these difficulties - - national conflicts, - racial conflicts, - religious differences, - class inequalities, - gender problems. Marilyn.
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  16. I am more inclined to thank God He is changing me. I ask for His heart as I am incapable of loving my city as commanded. So I have to seek the Fathers heart to achive that. And He is faithfull.
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  17. That's Hoddie (bricklayer) not "Hoodie". And that's also fantasy promoted by Hoddie. Ask John Wycliffe.
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  18. Ask and you shall receive I guess covers that. I think when we pray we begin to see things differently and relate to life and others on a deeper level. Prayer over time I believe becomes centered on simply being with the Lord, asking is no longer the center reason for prayer. Bad things happen to everyone, no matter one faith or lack of it. Though intervention could come more often that we realized, it is simply a part of the thread of our lives. I never heard it put that way either, so it is food for thought. Peace mark
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  19. Speaking of disparaging remarks.. ...group of reprobates... ... anarchists, socialists, communists, marxists, fascists, anti-Semites, racists... ... They are simply pawns of the Devil ... I frequent multiple boards and I see the right giving every bit as good as the left in the area of threats and disparaging remarks. Almost all of the Liberals I know are so because they believe the government can address problems better than individuals. I wholeheartedly disagree with them, but them having that view does not make the of the devil. This thread is on an open part of the forum that anyone can read, if a liberal that was seeking Jesus choose to read this thread, do you suppose it would be a good witness to the love of Jesus?
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  20. Since the New Jerusalem is a cubic city with the dimensions of a continent (1,500 square miles), it cannot possibly be IN THE MIDST of the old Jerusalem. That would be absurd. The Bible makes it very clear that the New Jerusalem is presently in Heaven, and will descend from Heaven and HOVER over the earth, not settle on the earth. The earth will be peopled by nations which are saved, and which will walk in the light coming from the New Jerusalem.
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  21. Where did you come up with this nonsense?
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  22. And, "We are not allowed to go to heaven?" Wha...???! Interesting perspective. Wow. I guess the Holy Spirit has misled the majority of Bible scholars and church leaders for the last two thousandish years, and I can just throw away the last 20+ years I've invested in studying the Bible. Also, could I get your perspective on where you believe Enoch and Elijah are currently residing, as I had posed in my former post? I think you forgot to address that. Additionally, if Elijah and Moses were present with Jesus during the transfiguration, and then disappeared while Jesus remained, where did they go? Are they allowed to go to heaven, but nobody else?
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  23. When Jesus is every where at the same time one is very close to mysticism
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  24. So where does this leave John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many mansions...I go to prepare a place for you." I mean, why bother building mansions if you are going to His holy mountain? (i.e., 1 Thess 4:15-18, Isaiah 26:19-21, Zeph 2:3, Psalm 27:5, Psalm 50:5) Also, based on this path of reasoning, where are Elijah and Enoch currently residing? They were "raptured/caught away to be with the Lord before death" were they not? And is Jesus residing at the right hand of the Father (who art in heaven), or not? [Hebrews 10:12]?
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  25. That is why I said I have pondered this for years because I cannot say for any certainty. What I spend more time on is “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” You see, nobody knows what it will be like, period.
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  26. Welcome~! Love Your User Name Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. Psalms 122:6 (New International Version) And Yes, I Too Wail For The Coming Salvation Of All Israel O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord. Give the Lord no rest until he completes his work, until he makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth. Isaiah 62:6-7 (New Living Translation) As We Await The Resurrection Of The Just For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? Romans 11:15 (English Standard Version) As Jesus Descends Back Enoch, the seventh from Adam, also prophesied about them: “Behold, the Lord is coming with myriads of His holy ones to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of every ungodly act of wickedness and every harsh word spoken against Him by ungodly sinners.” Jude 1:14-15 (Berean Study Bible) Down To I will go away and return to My place Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me. Hosea 5:15 (New American Standard Bible) Zion The LORD will roar from Zion and raise His voice from Jerusalem; heaven and earth will shake. But the LORD will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the Israelites. Joel 3:16 (Holman Christian Standard Bible) ~ Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. Numbers 6:24-27 (King James Bible) Love, Your Brother Joe ~ Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. Psalms 119:160 (King James Bible) The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword and the Christian’s charter. Here too, Heaven is opened and the gates of Hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents. From The Inside Of My Gideon New Testament
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  27. Hi WailingWall, And to whom is God speaking to? When you read the newspaper, do you read it as though it is all about you? Hope that helps you to think a bit more clearly, bro. Marilyn.
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  28. Hi OneLight, Interesting thought to think upon. Here are some of my thoughts - The Holy Spirit is able to be everywhere, where as the Lord Jesus Christ in His glorified body can only be in one place at a time. To be `with the Lord` doesn`t mean to follow Him all over the universe etc like a gigantic tail of millions of people, but we are with Him in spirit, one in mind & purpose. You & your wife are `one,` where ever you are, even when not physically together. Remember that Jesus said He & the Father were one, while on earth. So it does not mean in one place, but of one heart, mind & will. Christ is supreme overall, & He has different groups to rule in different realms. The difficulty comes when we don`t follow through with whom God is speaking to in His word & what He has promised them. regards, Marilyn.
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  29. The Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount are about spiritual matters, not material poverty and Christians tending to the poor. Christians should tend to the poor for many reasons, but not as Pope Francis has said - that taking care of the poor brings an understanding of the gospel. The Beatitudes show a step-by-step and increasing faith that all Christians should undergo. I noticed a progression of the spiritual walk there. Some might call it a circular progression as we find ourselves backing up as much as moving forward. Blessed are the poor in spirit (Someone who understands that they are a sinner) Blessed are they who mourn (Someone who is grieved that they are a sinner) Blessed are the meek (Someone who understands what has to be done about it - to become like Jesus) Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness. (Someone who goes beyond understanding into a burden to change and who changes.) Blessed are the merciful. (Someone who has a heart for others to change.) Blessed are the pure of heart. (Someone who now walks the walk.) Blessed are the peacemakers (Someone who is bent on others walking the walk and does so in imitation of Christ.) Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice sake. (Someone who is willing to lay down all that he or she has for the sake of Christ.)
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  30. JEREMIAH 3 [11] And the LORD said unto me, THE BACKSLIDING ISRAEL hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.[12] Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.[13] Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.[14] TURN, O BACKSLIDING CHILDREN, SAITH THE LORD; FOR I AM MARRIED UNTO YOU: AND I WILL TAKE YOU ONE OF A CITY, AND TWO OF A FAMILY, AND I WILL BRING YOU TO ZION: I am married to you {the bride of Christ}. Goin to Jerusalem, Zion, His Holy Mountain (in the twinkling of an eye} ZECHARIAH 8 [1] Again the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, [2] Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. [3] Thus saith the LORD; I AM RETURNED UNTO ZION, AND WILL DWELL IN THE MIDST OF JERUSALEM: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts THE HOLY MOUNTAIN. And Jesus Himself will be there with us
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  31. I have pondered this for many years. If Jesus is everywhere, will we also be everywhere? When He is on the earth, we will be there with Him. If in His Fathers Kingdom, we will be there also. MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR: AND SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD
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  32. WW, The problem is that you are simply taking verses out of context and using them to promote some strange ideas. I don't believe we can even begin to address you misunderstandings. And chances are there would be no progress.
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  33. Retrobyter has been banned from the topic and will be issued a warning point for the above statement.
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  34. Hi WailingWall, Good to see the scripture written out. So, yes we see that the Lord is sitting in judgment upon the nations. So we need to see when does He receive that authority to judge? and of course, where did He receive that authority? regards, Marilyn.
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  36. This is the problem with a lot of Christians. They believe the Bible is a textbook on systematic theology, and that there is no room for using one's intellect and drawing conclusions. Well since the Lord descends from Heaven, where else would He go except back to Heaven with all the saints? Also, using a mishmash of Scriptures to understand the truth is not how it works. Context does mean something.
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  37. I have posted all that I know. Go to Scripture and get your answers in the Holy Bible.
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  38. All of the born again believers will be taken to heaven in the rapture of the Church. This is a different event than the second coming at the end of the seven year tribulation. Then there will be the seven year tribulation. The unbelievers will be on earth for the seven year tribulation. Many of those unbelievers will come to Christ and become believers because the Holy Spirit will still be on this earth. Those who become Christians during the seven year tribulation will become martyrs. They will die under the Antichrist because Christians will be forbidden at this time. At the end of the seven year tribulation Christ will come back to earth and Satan will be bound and then Christ will set up the 1000 year millennium on earth. There will be a very small remnant of believers left to go into the 1000 year millennium. All of those who took the Mark of the Beast from the Antichrist will go to hell. Then will not go into the 1000 year millennium.
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  39. Hi WailingWall, A very, very good & important question, & one that needs to be answered scripturally. `To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with me on my throne, as I overcame & sat down with my Father on His throne.` (3: 21) So we see that the Body of Christ, the overcomers will be with Christ on His throne - ie with His authority. Next question is obviously - `Where is Christ`s throne?` regards, Marilyn.
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  40. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. We shall be with the Lord. Where do you think the Lord is if not in heaven?
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  41. To heaven Question: "What is the rapture of the church?" Answer: The word rapture does not occur in the Bible. The term comes from a Latin word meaning “a carrying off, a transport, or a snatching away.” The concept of the “carrying off” or the rapture of the church is clearly taught in Scripture. The rapture of the church is the event in which God “snatches away” all believers from the earth in order to make way for His righteous judgment to be poured out on the earth during the tribulation period. The rapture is described primarily in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50–54. God will resurrect all believers who have died, give them glorified bodies, and take them from the earth, along with all living believers, who will also be given glorified bodies at that time. “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). The rapture will involve an instantaneous transformation of our bodies to fit us for eternity. “We know that when he [Christ] appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). The rapture is to be distinguished from the second coming. At the rapture, the Lord comes “in the clouds” to meet us “in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). At the second coming, the Lord descends all the way to the earth to stand on the Mount of Olives, resulting in a great earthquake followed by a defeat of God’s enemies (Zechariah 14:3–4). The doctrine of the rapture was not taught in the Old Testament, which is why Paul calls it a “mystery” now revealed: “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51–52). The rapture of the church is a glorious event we should all be longing for. We will finally be free from sin. We will be in God’s presence forever. There is far too much debate over the meaning and scope of the rapture. This is not God’s intent. Rather, the rapture should be a comforting doctrine full of hope; God wants us to “encourage each other with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). https://gotquestions.org/rapture-of-the-church.html
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  42. The electoral college reflects the popular vote of each individual state not the overall population.
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  43. Hi coheir, So glad you are up with what is happening too. Blessings, Marilyn.
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  45. Hi coheir & Dennis, I can finally post here now. Thank you both for for your good comments. As to Christians in the US (or Australia or UK etc) not participating in a one world government / religion, it is already here. The Christian organisations are being deceived into signing various so-called policies to protect children, (Safe Churches) & to stand against slavery, (Global Freedom Network). When you actually read the documents carefully you realise that it is all smoke & mirrors to - - Safe Churches - giving the UN`s moral laws for children, precedent over the family. - Global Freedom Network - opening the gates for all sexual agendas in the name of `freedom for all.` There are more policies in the UN`s pipe line. Have you heard of these policies that Churches are signing? BTW these policies are all legally binding & require ongoing `indoctrination` classes for those enforcing them!!!!! Marilyn.
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  46. Say Hey! Yep, he who has eyes to see and ears to hear... all this is rapidly coming to pass, it's so apparent what is happening it's scary. Also take note of what is transpiring here in America relating to the one world religion. Without going into great detail, Christians and the church are becoming marginalized. When Christians stand up and quote scripture, it called "hate speech" and we already have hate crime laws on the books. Christians are being labeled, to name just a couple, xenophobic and intolerant. Christians can no longer object or reject any services to immoral groups of people. While Christians are still on earth in particular, and a deep sense of American national patriotism still by many Americans... I can't see America participating in a one world government / religion until those things be taken out of the way. Just my thoughts.
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  47. I believe they are able to pull the wool over many western religions eyes. In the end every one will have to accept the Muslim religion. the UN is not going to force muslims to give up their goal of world domination so they we coerce they others.
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  48. Ok, having eternal salvation does not mean sin is ok, in fact it means we are dead to sin. I can only speak to my own situation but when I was saved a change occurred inside me. I am no longer the evil,selfish person I once was. I no longer want to hurt others or be disobedient to God. If someone says they are saved but is still the same as before then they should probably pray and ask God why this is. I am saying and in fact Jesus also says we are no longer our old sinful selves. Our real,true identity is now who we are in Christ. Will the flesh still mess up sometimes? Of course it will but since that is not who we really are any more it can not affect our salvation. Trust God instead of your feelings when He says you are righteous and redeemed. Trust in the work Jesus finished at the cross.
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  49. Greetings, brothers and sisters in Christ. I have been blessed to be asked to deliver a sermon to the congregation of Faith Bible Church (of which I am a member) on June 22. This is the first draft of that sermon. I would appreciate advice, comment, guidance, direction. Thank you. Worry Sermon One day Bob was scanning the Help Wanted ads and came across one that said, “Wanted: Professional Worry Wart. Good pay. Benefits. Call Moe at 555-1234.” So, Bob calls and talks to Moe. Moe tells him he should come to Moe’s Bar on Third Street right away for an interview. When Bob gets there, Moe tells him, “As you can see, I own this bar. I got six employees, and none of ‘em get along with each other. I got a 19 year-old daughter living with her boyfriend and neither of ‘em has a job. They’re always calling me for money. My 15 year-old son is always in trouble with the law, I’m pretty sure my wife’s cheating on me, and I got some serious health problems. And, as if that’s not enough, sales at the bar are starting to fall off. I’m always worrying about this stuff, and I’m sick of it. I want to hire someone to do my worrying for me.” “Wow,” says Bob. That a lot of worrying to do. How much does this job pay?” “A hundred grand a year, plus bennies,” says Moe. “A hundred grand a year? How can you afford that kind of pay after everything you’ve told me?” ‘That’s your worry,” says Moe. Worry afflicts many Christians. It’s so easy to worry. I have met people who worried that they would have nothing to worry about, and others who were absolutely convinced that if they did not worry, the things they worried about would actually happen to them. The Bible has many verses telling us not to worry. There’s Matthew 6:31-"So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' And Matthew 6:34--"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. And Luke 12:25-26--25"And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span? 26"If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? The Bible tells us hundreds of times not to be afraid and not to worry. But for some people, they just can’t seem to help it. In some cases, it seems people worry because if they don’t, it seems like they don’t care. For others, it’s like an addiction. But worry is undoubtedly bad for us. Numerous studies have shown worry is bad for the body. One such study in Australia found that people who worry excessively about their health make up somewhere between four and seven percent of those who need surgery and those people have health care costs ten to 13 times higher than people who don’t worry so much! Did you know studies have been done to determine how much of what we worry about actually happens? The best information I can find indicates that about 92% of the time, what we worry about never happens. So, 92% of the time, worry is a lie and a waste of time. And the other 8% of the time does worrying about it actually change the outcome? Our word, “worry” comes from a word that describes how a wolf clamps his jaws on the windpipe of his prey and kills it. It means, “to strangle.” Worrying undoubtedly steals the joy we have in the Lord, and worrying certainly steals praise and glory from God. Worry is the opposite of faith. It strangles us and it does not come from God. But, we’ve always been told that, while we should not worry, it’s understandable and okay to be legitimately concerned. Your teenage daughter said she’d be home at 10:00 p.m. and it’s now 11:00. You’re driving your car and the oil light comes on and you hear a knocking noise from under the hood. Those are legitimate causes of concern and we should do something in cases like that. Now, before we go on, I need to be clear that I am not talking about people with anxiety attacks or depression or other conditions. These and a host of others are the result of a medical condition and are the reason God gave us doctors and trained professionals who can and do help. I’ve already brought up some of the more familiar verses about worry, but let’s take a look at Mark 4:35-40 where Jesus had just finished preaching to the crowd on the shore of the Sea of Galilee: 35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. Okay, let’s hold the boat here for a minute. Whose boat was this that Jesus was getting into? The verse does not specifically say who owned the boat, but four of the 12 disciples were professional commercial fisherman. I can’t prove this, but it wouldn’t be unreasonable to suspect that this boat was owned by either Peter, James, Andrew, or John. They were very, very familiar with boats and were also familiar with the Sea of Galilee. These were not a bunch of tourists out on a three–hour pleasure cruise. Moving on: 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. Let’s put this into perspective. The Sea of Galilee is eight miles wide, 13 miles long, and 150 feet deep. This is no little farm pond. If the Sea of Galilee were located in Minnesota, it would be our fifth largest lake, right between Lake Winnibigoshish and Lake Vermillion. In 1986 during a low water period, some fishermen and amateur archeologists discovered a typical fishing boat from Jesus’ time sunken in the Sea of Galilee. While there is nothing linking this particular boat to Jesus or his disciples, it is typical of what would have been in use in the first century. It was 27 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and 4.5 feet deep. It had a flat bottom and was made mostly of cedar planks held together by wooden pegs and nails. They found ten different types of wood used on the boat, showing that it had been patched numerous times. Experts determined that the boat had probably been used for decades, perhaps as much as a century, before it was abandoned. Although that is a larger boat than most of the fishermen in this room are accustomed to, this is not some riveted or welded deep-vee aluminum hull. It had a flat bottom, so big waves would tend to slam it up and down. In addition, there were no bilge pumps, no life boats, no radio to call for help and not even any life jackets. Okay, for you fisherman in the congregation who have been on Winnie or lakes like it, what would it be like being out there at night in that boat on the Sea of Galilee? Yes, it would have been so scary every fiber of our beings would have wanted to get off that lake. NOW! The story goes on: 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Jesus is in the back of the boat sleeping. Sleeping! The boat is “already filling.” In a vessel 4.5 feet deep, that means the water is NOT ankle deep. It means it’s probably at least hip-deep-- maybe more. These are professional fisherman. One of them probably owns the boat they are in. And they don’t wake Jesus up and say, “Umm, Rabbi, we may have a little problem here.”—I love the way some people read Bible verses. “Yea, verily, teacher, we are nigh unto perishing.” I’m pretty sure the correct way to read that verse is: “AAAAAA!! WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE! AAAAAA!!” (That’s the part of the sermon I put in there for people who fall asleep in church.) Okay, so in the middle of this story, my question to you is: Legitimate concern, or worry-wart worry? Exactly. They had every reason to be worried. I would have been scared silly. This has “Legitimate Concern” written all over it in bold face, italic, underline type. 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. I love that verse. “Peace, be still.” The Greek word in the Bible where “peace” is used translates ‘Silence.” Silence. Be still. Be still and know that He is God. And the wind stops and the sea goes flat. And in that moment of silence and great calm, Jesus turns to his disciples and says, 40b “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” He chews them out! Here they were, almost certainly about to die, and He says, “What were you worried about? How is that you have no faith? “ What do you say to the God of the universe when He says that to you? Well, the Bible tells us how the disciples reacted: 41: The disciples were absolutely terrified. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "Even the wind and waves obey him!" Absolutely terrified. In the presence of the God of the universe. In whom and through whom and by whom all things were created. In that moment, the disciples had an inkling of whose presence they were in. The One who has all things under His control, the Mighty, Everlasting, Omniscient, Omnipotent GOD! The GOD of eternity! So, dear brothers and sisters, when the car makes a knocking noise and your daughter is late, who is in control? Who holds everything in His hand? Is this not the God who said he came to give you life and give it the full? Didn’t He say his burden is light and His yoke is easy and we would find rest for our souls if we would just take up His cross and learn from Him? Isn’t this the God who loved you enough to take on flesh for you and die on a cross for you and pay off all the sins of the world past, present, and future? Is anything impossible for Him? Oh, my friends I will admit this is hard for me. Especially when I’m late and things go wrong. Especially when yet another thing comes up and I don’t know where the money is going to come from to pay for it. Ask my wife. I am not any better than any of you. But, here’s the deal: The enemy of our soul knows what buttons to push. He’s not omniscient, but he’s watched us and others like us for thousands of years. And he whispers those lies in our ears that tell us the waves are going to break the boat in half and we are going to drown in all the crashing waves of our troubles. And , he knows if he can load us up with the lies of our own special worry, we will be ineffective as witnesses. He doesn’t care about us. Does a city on a hill or a light on a stand shine forth worry? Does a Christian overcome with worry and doubt make others want to seek out Jesus and find the peace that passes all understanding? No, worry is a lie. And we know where lies come from. But the truth is this: And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. Romans 8:38 So, the challenge for us all is to remember is that the next time that little voice in our head tells us how awful something is to remember that Jesus is right there with us, and if we call on Him, He can speak those words over any storm that may come along: Peace! Be still--and know that He is God.
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