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Steve, 3 decades ago I went through something very similar with my wife of the time. She too left without warning and moved in with another man the night she left me. Then for months after she would every now and thing bring up the idea of trying to get back together, then she would change her mind again. She kept putting the divorce on hold with her lawyer. It was not a fun time to live through. I was young and it was causing me all sorts of issues, even affecting my health. My solution at the time was to join the Marine Corps, leave for bootcamp and ask to be stationed in Japan upon finishing my MOS school. It was the best decision of my life outside of accepting Jesus. You have honored your vows to both the Lord and your wife. I echo what the others have told you, walk away and do not look back.

My advice ,don,t get back with her as it most likely will cause misery , it,s good to forgive but getting back together ? I wouldn,t do it,past behavior is future behavior..:( God Bless Steve!

Come now, the Apostles themselves were messianic Jews. All that means is that they believe that Jesus is the Messiah and their nationality is Jewish. I could be called a Messianic Frenchman/Englishman/ Native American. It means the same thing to me as being a Christian. I believe Jesus is my savior. Just because ones nationality is assigned to their theology does not mean they are not His. One good person to ask is George, the owner, as he is a Messianic Jew himself. What do you think a Messianic Jew believes?

Just having turned 40 years old a couple of months ago feels like a huge burden on my shoulders that keep getting bigger and bigger. I feel like the whole world is out to get me. I've been married for the 2nd time for 1 year (my first husband passed away unexpectedly 5 years ago). I feel like I have the weight of the entire world on me; from helping my mom who doesn't drive or speak English, to secretly dealing with my step-daughter who is acting up and getting in trouble with the law, to trying to keep my husband in line and away from his crazy, dangerous past, to dealing with chronic illness and continuous pain; to dealing with not been able to have kids; to all kinds of financial problems. And those are just the things that are going on right now, there are plenty more things I've had to endure in my entire life. All those pains, all those troubles make me feel like I am always chasing an ounce of happiness that will never be attained. I look up to God and I ask, why so much, why all the time and all I hear is silence. Whether He forgot about me or He's giving me the silent treatment, I don't understand. Giving up is all I can think about, but even in giving up I'm letting Him down and doing what He doesn't want me to do, I guess. But what other way out is there from all this pain, all this suffering, all this craziness? If we are all going to die at the end, why try to avoid the inevitable. How can I learn to live without caring? Without giving a second thought to my mother's situation, to the relationship with my brother, to the relapses my husband continues to have over and over. When there are no shattered dreams only because there's no strength to even dream, how can you find the strength to go on. I guess all I can ask, is how do I end the suffering when He shines his face away from me all the time.

Thanks Gator. I filed for divorce 2 weeks after she left.

If you are sincere, than acceptance of Christ as your Savior is sufficient. Then the Holy Spirit will work in your life to end your "obsessions."

I agree Angels. Thanks GBU2

People who die not saved do not enter the kingdom of heaven, ever. In line with all Scripture - see (read for yourself, seeking Jesus) in the New Testament all that is written to those seeking YHWH'S KINGDOM. Few people ever find out.

I would also answer that he has as much power as we allow him. When Jesus was tempted by satan in the wilderness, the enemy twisted and misused the Scriptures. Jesus answered correctly with scriptures. So it really helps to learn God's Word. satan's power is much limited since Jesus defeated him through his resurrection. Jesus conquered death so believers don't need to fear death, which was satan's biggest power. His devices are to lie, accuse, deceive. But Jesus sent to us His Holy Spirit our advocate, our lawyer, defending us. As said, resist him and he will flee from you. Also, God inhabits the praises of His people. So when I am attacked I praise and worship God, thanking Him for all He has done for me and exalting His name. No more enemy. Remember that while he was an archangel, he is a created being like people and animals. He is not a god. But his desire is to be worshipped as a god. So the less attention we pay to him the better. He wants us to fear and obey him so he craves our attention. We are to love and fear only our Creator, the Godhead. We don't have to listen to him. Jesus said "get behind me, satan! when Peter tried to dissuade Him from going to the cross. We can say, May the Lord rebuke you!. I usually say I don't have to listen to your lies! and go on with whatever I was doing. The sooner we get our thoughts back on Jesus and God's love for us, the better. Someone said "If satan brings up your past (which God has forgiven and forgotten), you bring up his future! (hell is reserved for the devil and his angels). I like that. Remember that satan is a defeated foe. He received his death blow at the cross. It was prophesied in Genesis that satan would bruise the heel of Jesus, but that Jesus would bruise his head. To me that means a bruise on the brain, a deadly concussion. Heb 2:14 ESV Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, Heb 2:15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1Pe 1:4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 1Pe 1:5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1Pe 1:6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 1Pe 1:7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1Pe 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 1Pe 1:9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Well...make sure your doing God's work in everything you do....got a hobby? Something you enjoy doing? Anyway you can use that hobby to glorify Gods kingdom and spread His message?

Yes, everywhere on earth, evil loves evil, and seeks evil.... and seeks/gets approval from evil...

If Christians are hardwired to sin, God is a failure! Regeneration, conversion, and being Born-Again are a farce. All commands in Scripture that tell us not to sin, are never met with an expectation of failure. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy... Jude v.24

We all were born with fallen natures...with a propensity to sin and selfishness, thus why we must be born again. No-one born of man is exempt. Jesus, although born with the nature of fallen man, (God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh Rom 8:3) overcame sin by His intimate unfailing connection to His Father. His humanity only veiled His divine nature by which He was inseparably linked with the invisible God, which was more than able to resist temptation, and the weaknesses of heredity. There was in His whole life a struggle, and the spiritual battle He fought on our behalf was as real as ours,but far more intense for the enemy of righteousness moved upon His natural human nature with all His cunning and power, but to no avail. It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take upon Himself man's unfallen nature, like that of Adam in his innocence in Eden, but Jesus came into the human race after 4000 years of sin and rebellion. Gal. 4:4,5. 2 Cor. 5:21. Hebrews 5:1-9 Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.....showing us the way and leaving us an example that we also, by partaking of the divine nature can overcome. 2 Peter 1:4 We are all born with sinful fallen natures, but that does not mean we are 'hardwired' to sin. What it does mean is that we have a propensity, an inclination toward sin, and our fleshly carnal natures are so weak, that on our own, we more often than not, give in and sin. However, God has made it possible that through His only begotten Son, and by our connection to Him through the new birth, we have available to us through faith divine power by which we can overcome sin in the flesh, just as Jesus did, "that the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh,but after the Spirit". (Rom. 8:4) Mark 4:29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. Christ is waiting in longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ is reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own. Phil. 1:9 ¶ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Hey Steve, I am sure that today is going to bring back both good and sad memories. I will be praying that you come up with a decision that you in your heart feel is right. Through both good and bad times, it is easier to handle the situation when we have a peace. Blessings

Once someone accepts Jesus and turns their life over to God, they become a danger to the enemy. Jesus makes it very clear that in this battle, there are no fence sitters. We are either for Christ or against Christ. We read this is both Matthew 12:30 and Luke 11:23. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. We also find in Ephesians 6:10-18 more about this battle that has been going on forever. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints We should strive to always be aware of the spirit world as it tries to influence us to not obey God, to turn away from the truth, so put on they armor daily. Study scripture to strengthen you armor and grow in Christ to become a mature warrior. We are not perfect, but we can try our best to always be on guard, not only for ourselves, but for others as well.

Tonight, throughout Israel, on the 17th of Tammuz, Jewish people from around the world will fast and begin a three week period of mourning leading into Tish B'Av (9th of Av). On this day, according to Jewish tradition, Moses shattered the Ten Commandments after he returned from Mount Sinai to witness the children of Israel worshiping a golden calf. The post Mourning will be turned to joy! appeared first on Worthy Christian Devotional - Daily Devotional. Read the entire devotional.

He has mental illness, by his own admission many years ago. Severe depression. Perhaps bipolar. It may affect his viewpoint. But then he is also in a highly liberal area. So his view is not surprising.

I would be cautious in believing the above...sounds suspiciously like pantheism. As to the phrase, "death without God is separation from God" seems to me a contradiction. If one is separated from God...separated from the only source of life, death can be the only result. That is true death. Not eternal life at another address. And yes, that death lasts forever...it is the wages of sin...it is an eternal punishment.

Hi wingnut, Somehow missed your posts, sorry. Now remember Jesus said He was `the way the truth and the life.` Also in John He says - `For as the Father has life in Himself so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.` (John 5: 26) The `Tree of Life,` is a symbolic picture of the Lord giving of His life to others. Marilyn.

Praise the Lord, it is good to give praise and thanks to the most high God. No worries brother and keep reading. Psalm 119 King James Version (KJV) 15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. 16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Onelight hit the nail on the head. Also; James 4:7, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Praise Jesus for how many years you had Jacie.

Roots~! I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove godlessness from Jacob. And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.” Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs. For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. Romans 11:26 (Berean Study Bible) ~ Enemies Of Israel Enemies Of God But this will be the nature of the plague with which the Lord will strike all the nations that have fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will decay while they stand on their feet, their eyes will rot away in their sockets, and their tongues will dissolve in their mouths. On that day there will be great confusion from the Lord among them; they will seize each other and attack one another violently. Moreover, Judah will fight at Jerusalem, and the wealth of all the surrounding nations will be gathered up – gold, silver, and clothing in great abundance. This is the kind of plague that will devastate horses, mules, camels, donkeys, and all the other animals in those camps. Then all who survive from all the nations that came to attack Jerusalem will go up annually to worship the King, the Lord who rules over all, and to observe the Feast of Tabernacles. But if any of the nations anywhere on earth refuse to go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord who rules over all, they will get no rain. If the Egyptians will not do so, they will get no rain – instead there will be the kind of plague which the Lord inflicts on any nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. This will be the punishment of Egypt and of all nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. Zechariah 14:12-19 (NET Bible) ~ Yeap~! Very Presumptuous~! Yahweh will roar from Zion, and thunder from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth will shake; but Yahweh will be a refuge to his people, and a stronghold to the children of Israel. Joel 3:16 (World English Bible) ~ The Truth For thus said the LORD of hosts; After the glory has he sent me to the nations which spoiled you: for he that touches you touches the apple of his eye. Zechariah 2:8 (American King James Version) ~ Amen~! The Starve-A-Jew Movement Is Unwise "When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all his angels are with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. The people of every nation will be gathered in front of him. He will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right but the goats on his left. "Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, my Father has blessed you! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me into your home. I needed clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' "Then the people who have God's approval will reply to him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and take you into our homes or see you in need of clothes and give you something to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' "The king will answer them, 'I can guarantee this truth: Whatever you did for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did for me.' "Then the king will say to those on his left, 'Get away from me! God has cursed you! Go into everlasting fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels! I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger, and you didn't take me into your homes. I needed clothes, and you didn't give me anything to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn't take care of me.' "They, too, will ask, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or as a stranger or in need of clothes or sick or in prison and didn't help you?' "He will answer them, 'I can guarantee this truth: Whatever you failed to do for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter how unimportant [they seemed], you failed to do for me.' "These people will go away into eternal punishment, but those with God's approval will go into eternal life." Matthew 25:31-46 (GOD'S WORD® Translation) And As For Those Killers Of Jesus After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Matthew 27:35-37 (New Living Translation) Why, It's You And Me But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5: 8 ( New American Standard Bible) Brother I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. And the hired hand flees because he is a hired hand and the sheep means nothing to him. I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me; even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father." Romans 10:11-18 New Heart English 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

The Bible over rules both the Catholic Catechism and the Anglican Book of Common Prayer as the topic is about the C of E.

The gideons regularly go into jails and hold bible studies and hand out Bibles. As far as bars....I think wisdom is important, it may not be a good idea for a pastor or a elder to hang out in a bar witnessing unless it was a well advertised ministry, just to avoid rumors. I spend a decent amount of time in bars myself, when im on the road, because i often stay in small towns and theyre often the best-and sometimes, the only places to eat, especially later at night when I pull on, and some of the best biblical discussions ive had with complete strangers, have been in bars.

Satan doesn't have power over you, yet he will lie to you, try to discourage you, and do his best to cause you to turn from God. That is why we read in Ephesians 6:10-20 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Added a Passage (George) Luk 10:19 Behold, I give to you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the authority of the enemy. And nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luk 10:20 Yet do not rejoice in this, that the evil spirits are subject to you, rather rejoice because your names are written in Heaven.

You seem to have quite the interest in demonic influences and spiritual warfare. May I ask why that is? Is there something deeper going on you would like to discuss?

Great quote.

Thank you for your reply back hmbld The passage I have quoted that you wrote, puzzles me, because When I was young, I used to trust to easily . I had to learn through the school of hard knocks, that we must be discerning in this world. A wise man who now has passed told me in 2005, to trust no one but God. His name was Eddy and he came from a Jewish background but came to believe in Christ Jesus. I believe God placed us together in friendship for a time, and it was done for His glory, because I got to remind him back of his faith and through that he helped me straighten mine.Eddie passed away in 2010 at the age of 73 yrs Also the bible does tell us that in: Psalm 118:8 7The LORD is for me among those who help me; Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me. 8It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man. 9It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in princes.… 1 John 4 4 My dear brothers, do not trust every spirit. But test the spirits to see if they belong to God. There are many prophets who are not true who have gone out into the world. 2 Here is how you can know the Spirit of God. Every spirit that believes that Jesus Christ has come in the body of a man is from God. 3 And every spirit that does not say this about Jesus, does not belong to God. That is the spirit of the one who is against Christ. You have heard that he is coming. And now he is already in the world. 4 My children, you belong to God. You have won the victory over those prophets who are not true. You have won because the Spirit that is in you is stronger than the spirit that is in the world. 5 Those prophets belong to the world. That is why they teach about things in the world. And that is why the people of the world listen to them. 6 But we belong to God. Anyone who knows God listens to us. Anyone who does not belong to God does not listen to us. This is how we know if a spirit is true or not true. 7 My dear brothers, we must love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves others is God's child and he knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love others does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love for us. He sent his only Son into the world to give us life. 10 This is love! We did not love God, but he loved us. And he sent his Son to be the sacrifice to pay for the wrong things we have done. 11 My dear brothers, if God loved us so much, we must love one another also. 12 No man has ever seen God. But God lives in us if we love one another. And in loving one another, his love is made perfect. 13 He has given us of his own Spirit. That is how we know that we are in him and he is in us. 14 And we have seen and we are telling you that the Father sent his Son to save the people in the world. 15 If anyone says, `Jesus is the Son of God,' God is in him and he is in God. 16 We know and we believe that God loves us. God is love. And anyone who loves others is in God and God is in him. 17 That is why we love each other very much. Then we will not be afraid on the day when people are judged. We are like Christ in this world. 18 Where God's love is, there is no fear. God's perfect love takes away fear. It is punishment that makes a person fear. Anyone who has fear does not have perfect love. 19 We love others because God first loved us. 20 If anyone says, `I love God', and he hates his brother, he is telling a lie. If he does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 God gave us this law. The person who loves God must love his brother also. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Because of many diverse things happening at once within our frame of being when engaging with someone i.e. -our culture, out past upbringing, our past social history,our basic personality,our past trauma/sin, our faith or lack of it- I don't think we can control when we feel offended because part of it is a reaction but I do think we can learn NEW ways to diffuse whatever is going on that offends us when we feel offended. And that is part of healing the broken soul/spirit. We need God and His Holy Spirit working in us to help us to diffuse and learn to diffuse our offenses or what we perceive as offensives in a Godly manner "Our battles are fought on our knees." Charles Stanley

I believe that as a Christian we are set free to set the captives free, no matter where they are as we're all saved by grace and not by anything we could add to our Salvation. Mark 2:17 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. John 4:27 27 Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” Luke 19:10 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, Luke 4:18 We were all sinners and Jesus took us all out of the miry clay, so who are we thinking we're too much of a Christian to reach the lost no matter where they are? He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2

Interesting. When I was young, the Baptist preacher one day talked about how a Christian has to care about the image he projects, and brought up how a son's character reflects his Father's name. Made sense to me. Went on to state that if a preacher walked into a bar, even if it was only to help someone to drunk to get home, it would reflect on how unsaved would see God. That one should never be seen entering a bar for any reason. I was young, and thought this was wise. Today, I completely reject this man made philosophy. There should be no place a Christian is afraid to enter, as if God is for us, who can be against us? The interesting thing is at the time we were meeting for church by renting the local roller rink on Sunday! Seems too many of us still judge the outside of the cup.

In order to sustain the concept of eternal torment, all must also prove the concept that sinners live forever, completely denying Romans 6:23 which clearly declares that the wages of sin is death. Yet proponents for the eternal torment idea then resort to variations of the following..."ye shall not surely die"...now where have I heard that before? The scriptures however teach... a. That only God is immortal....1 Timothy 6:15,16 b. That immortality is a gift only for the redeemed....Timothy 1:9,10 But so many don't believe the above, but claim immortality for everyone, even sinners? In doing this they even deny the very purpose of God when guarding the way to the tree of life in Genesis 3: 22 ¶ And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. I am not sure which came first. The belief in the natural immortality of the soul, or eternal torment, because they both must be sustained in order to accept either. Yet neither are Biblical!! How do you explain this?

Willa wrote very well indeed. And a scripture to sum it up - `For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.` (Rev. 19: 10) Prophecy is God speaking through one of Christ`s ministry gifts, (Eph. 4: 11) His prophets of the Body of Christ or those who just have the gift of prophecy. The ministry of Christ in the prophet, brings forth deep understanding of Christ, His character and His purposes. Believers who have the gift of prophecy bring forth encouragement, edifying & exhortation messages that build up the Body of Christ. Prophecies of future events are written in God`s word. Marilyn.

Apok, There was no Holy Spirit dwelling in them in the OT because of sin. At the time Adam and Eve sinned, they became spirtually dead. God said "My spirit will not continue forever with man" The law was to point out sin, because without a conscience you wouldn't know sin. So it was a list of do's and don'ts to keep people in line. The punishment for disobeying the law was death. If the Old Covenant were perfect, there would be no need for a new one, right? Man could not keep the law, so they gave blood sacrifices for their sins, problem is, that didn't work either because they were doing it out of obligation, not love. So, God sent the perfect sacrifice-Jesus to cover the sins of man and make them able to enter into that relationship with God that was intended from the beginning. Sin is still there, but Jesus' blood covers it for the believer so that God sees us as the righteousness of God, through the blood sacrifice that paid for our sin. The Holy Spirit is now here on earth in the true believers restraining much of the evil in people. If He were not, the world would be continually evil and sinful like it was in the OT. Hope that makes sense. :thumb: Keep studying and learning, it's a wonderfully exciting process. Galatians may help you understand this some better. Blessings!

Good One! Apok, The GOOD NEWS is that we are no longer under the law of condemnation and death. Some may disagree with me, but in the days of Noah giants roamed the earth, these were fallen angels that were mixed with humans and God destroyed them and ultimately (though not at the time of the flood) prevented them from doing this any longer. With Sodom and Gomorrah, men were continually evil and sinning, God gave the chance for them to repent by sending them warning, they didn't so He wiped them out. Our world is much bigger now, I don't know if there is any place on earth were there are no saved people, I hope not anyways, God wouldn't destroy the saved with the lost. Hey, in numbers a man was stoned to death for picking up fire wood on the Sabbath. God has NEVER changed, He is and was and will be good, and love and fair. The Old Covenant was punishable by death because there was no Holy Spirit dwelling in men then and now we have the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us and we have a conscience. Grace HAS to be extended to all because it is God's perfect gift to save mankind. Those that don't accept it will face judgement and death, it WILL come. You have a very valid question and I hope I helped answer it some, though it is much more extensive than just this.