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Yes, and I abhor the halloween crap and all that decaying bluster. The Lord Yeshua (Jesus) redeems us from the horrendous claims that death has upon us all. Perhaps if many would put down their media devices and other 'noises' they migh hear the voice of the Lord warning them about the pit they are about to step into. It is not a video game and you do not get a second and third try at life. Once you go down you stay down unless the Lord Jesus plucks you out and saves you. We have all been warned... "Why will you die? I have no pleasure in the death of anyone." Says the Lord High God.

Hi, And there is always the option of silence, just not taking the bait at all.

Yup and Amen. This is a good opportunity to express this; this is why when a member gets a little heavy, its good to gently mention it in public (at times) or in a friendly PM. SOme folks are just used to a different way and aren't fully aware of the TOS and its intent...being for the good of all. So that all who come here can have a good experience.

It's so true! As we go about things on this forum, or any online medium, it can be easy to forget that there's a living/breathing person on the other side. This is someone whom our Lord gave His life for! And regardless of what the person is saying, we don't often know the background of why they are speaking harshly, lashing out or otherwise misbehaving. We all have an enemy (and the flesh), and other human beings are not our enemy - they are just people living in this cesspool of a world we find ourselves temporarily in. "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love; Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." (Eph 4:2 & Col 3:13) 🎵Grace, Grace, God's Grace. Grace that is Greater . . .🎵

This is a verse I always remember when I sometimes run into unkind words on some Christian forums. There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 I think Christians should be kind. There is a lot of pain in the world and maybe someone needs our kindness. We never know what our words might do for someone, both unbelievers and believers.

I totally agree with that. Sometimes people just want to draw you into an argument.

Amen sister. This is a good word.

I learned the following verse (verse 1) as a child in Sunday School. For some reason, it always stuck with me. 1A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. 2The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. Proverbs 15:1-2.

I agree, but it should go beyond words when needed. James 2:16, part of the "faith without works is dead" passage has this to say: "If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?" I went through a period of being destitute, distressed, and on the verge of homelessness and was walking miles to churches with a fairly agonizing back problem. I got a lot of kind words. When I came across a church whose pastor took the time to pray with me and offered me a ride home it meant the world to me. I'm definitely remembering him as long as my earthly memory permits.

Hmmmm? I think it less than praise worthy to overly condemn Rome, for the danger of unneeded offense, as our brother of the Vine expressed. Bible students know the issues. I have noticed that many catholic associations and groups have changed some of where emphasis is placed and that is good. Regarding bible study and focus on Christ. It reminds me of back in the 70’s during the charasmatic days, when I knew many catholics converting…even among monks. There was true fellowship with many folks even with differing doctrines. Such can be the case when the Spirit is doing a work and Christ is front and center. Honestly, I miss the simplicity of the days and a young man who was less educated, but knew the Word and knew his Lord as a calf sprung from the stall. There is a sermon in there. :-)

Its an interesting thing, but although my mom was excomminicated for divorce (dad left when I was 4), she made sure I was involved. First communion, confirmation, catechism, alter boy practice, the confessional, etc. I do not recall any clarity about Christ as Savior and the need. Much attention was given to Mary. I did learn the law and the concept of repentance. Those things were instrumental to who I was becoming and indeed affected my choices and behavior when a boy. The rituals, such as ash wednesday, produced a certain sense of awe and respect. Thus, as has always been the case, those sorts of ‘religious’ things appeal to flesh, but have no eternal value. And yet, My Savior used them in some way.

I am offended every time I hear God's name used as a cuss word. It makes me cringe and I hope and pray I don't ever lose that feeling.

7-15-23 Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Revelation 20: 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. Psalm 128:1

Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 1 John 4:13

I just watched this video and this lady nailed it! You have to read the Bible for yourself! People think they are saved and they are NOT. Don't be fooled by just going to church. Know the truth before it is too late The video may be found by going to youtube and searching for: MUST WATCH! | GOD SAID MANY CHURCH PEOPLE WILL BE IN HELL! | PROPHETIC Admin Memo: Hi @bdavidc Links to YouTube are not allowed in threads. If you have found a video on YouTube that you are encouraging others to watch, simply tell them to search for the video on YouTube and include the title of the video. Michael37

As I drive around, it amazes me the number of symbolic death references we have in our society! Skulls and skull & crossbones appear on vehicles in prominent places and also on clothing, buildings, etc. There's also many drawings of zombies or demons or dragons . . . it's all over the place! Ever notice this? The images of the skulls and skeletons and other references to death can get quite stylized and fancy . . . dare I say almost like idols? And in many cultures around the world, there are various holidays celebrating death, dead loved ones or dead spirits. (Here in the US we have the ever-so-strange Halloween.) It's weird to see all these death and hell references around. People, in the US at least, seem to think it's kinda cool. I guess displaying these images shows that they have no fear and/or trying to convey that, "You'd better not mess with me, because I'm fearless and don't even fear death itself!" (yeah right!) Of course, as Christians we know how sad this is, if this person is brought down to death without receiving the Savior, the One who overcame death. They just don't know what they're doing, and need to be told about the One that loves them and can release them from the power of death! Does this upset anyone else? (and maybe "upset" is too strong a word . . . at the least it's an ongoing curiosity/bothering to me)

This is pretty much my perspective. Satan is bound during the thousand years but is later released. To me the scenario seems like one last chance for people to choose God. They get to see that He's good and just and cultivate a love for God without any outside interference or the spiritual wickedness in high places we've had for almost all of human history. In a way it almost strikes me as a large scale Eden 2.0. Satan only got to tempt Adam and Eve once in Eden, much like how he's out of the picture in the thousand years until the very end. Without Satan around what's left to lead people astray? The flesh. It's easy to understand why people would need help taming that.

This is not done in Eastern Orthodox. So, I assume it is developed in Papal Catholicism. Fasting however before Passover had been observed early on. Some one day, two days etc. from apostolic times. I wonder if this came from the fast of the firstborn? Or that it is this paschal dispute, concerning when to break the fast. The Quartodecimans claimed that their traditions are inherited from the Apostle John and Philip, while western churches claimed that their views of Easter have been inherited from Paul and Peter.[6] Quartodecimanism was mainly popular in Asia Minor, Jerusalem and Syria,[7][8][9] however it was rejected by churches in other regions.[10] Polycarp, like other Asiatics, kept Easter on the fourteenth day of the month of Nisan. According to Eusebius, Polycarp claimed that his practice came from the apostle John.[3][Joh4] John the baptists disciples vs Christs disciples as well? Mt 19:14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. If the above had anything to do with the origins of the lenten fast then, the day of his resurrection would make sense, instead of the 14th, when he was taken from them.

It is true that Revelation has signs and pictures to illustrate events. It is so in the very first verse. But let us examine how they are used. 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: "The Revelation". The Greek word means "The unveiling" or the "Revealing". This will be a literal event (Matt.24:31) "He gave him - his servants". This is John and all other disciples of Jesus - literal people "His servant John" - a real literal person "His angel" - a real literal angel "SIGNIFIED" - here we come to the "sign" - the explanation by ILLUSTRATION What ever the "sign" was, history shows that the fulfillment was literal and real and accurate. Thus, most of Revelation is LITERAL, but it has illustrations. Another example is the city mentioned in Chapter 11. Everything points to it being Jerusalem, but to ILLUSTRATE its condition it is called Sodom and Egypt. Now let us examine the thousand years of Revelation 20. 1. It is "A" thousand years three times 2. It is "THE" thousand years three more times for a total of six mentions in six verses 3. If it was a "sign" (or illustration), what would it illustrate? 4. It is a set time because Satan being let loose marks a serious event 5. It is a set time because it divides those resurrected at Christ's coming and "the rest of the dead" (Rev.20:5, 1st Cor.15:22-28) 6 It is a set time that Jesus must reign on the earth as we know it now 7. It is a set time because it is "the day of the Lord" and a lot happens in this day 8. It has a beginning and an end 9. It has no value if taken allegorically. What would it signify? 10. There is no reason to make it a sign. Consider this. From Adam to Christ, taking genealogies and times and dates from the Old Testament, is 4,000 years. From Christ's first coming to His second is likely to be 2,000 yeas. For God (not us) a day is the same as 1,000 years (2nd Pet.3:8). That is, if God is repeating the restoration of earth in six days, and He returned after 6,000 years, the next 1,000 years would be the Sabbath. But this is exactly what Hebrews 3 and 4 say. In these Chapters God defines the first Sabbath Rests and predicts a future Sabbath Rest. The "Rest" He uses for reference is Israel entering and occupying the Good Land. 1. Israel enter the Good Land around 1,500 BC and Judah is ejected from the Land around 600 BC. Whatever differences expositors have in dates, the fact remains that God did not get a Sabbath because His man - Israel. failed after ca. 900 years. But this not all. 2. The first six days are defined by "the evening and the morning" - 24 hours. But not the first Sabbath. The Holy Spirit purposefully did not define the length of the Sabbath with the same measurement. He used a different one - the length of Adam's life. Adam was made last on the sixth day. His first full day would have been the seventh. the warning to Adam was that "IN that the day he ate of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, he would die. Now if we go to Romans Chapters 5 and 6 (5.12-17, 6:23) we see that the "death" for sin was physical death.* Thus, for Adam to die (a physical death) IN a "day", he would have had to have eaten, and sinned the same day he died. OR ... we have to define the day differently. But 2nd Peter 1:20 does not allow private interpretation of scripture. So we are constrained to define the "day" WITHIN which Adam died, by the days in the Bible. There are 5 different days in the Bible, 1. a period of sunlight, 2. a 24 hour period, 3. an event like "the day of vengeance", 4 1 year for 1 day in prophecy, and 5. a day is a thousand years. Which one fits Adam? ONLY ONE. The "day" IN WHICH Adam died was 1,000 years - seeing as he lived 930 years. Thus, the first Sabbath was defined by Adam's Lifetime - 930 years. The first Sabbath, AND the one of Hebrews 3 and 4 was defined by a thousand years. The first Sabbath, God's Rest in Hebrews 3 and 4, AND the time when Israel will be restored to their Land are ALL 1,000 years! LITERAL 1,000 years! If there is any "sign" to be found in it, I would say it is the 6 X mention of 1,000 years in SIX VERSES.

I can see how most forum discussions give that impression, but there are many serious folks here focused on heavenly things. Its just that the meat of the word does not get the drama.

On certain things we disagree. But here we agree. God was specific in Genesis 1:26-28. "LET him have dominion over te earth, sea and sky and all that is in them". The councils of God are immutable. And if Adam failed God will raise up a Second Adam Who will succeed. Man is made from the earth, nourished by the earth for dominion of the earth. So what is this matter of heaven? Heaven is God's throne. All rule proceeds from heaven. But God does not make central Government. He makes the kings take on a heavenly nature. He infuses his kings with the rules of heaven and they BRING IT TO ITS INTENDED DESTINATION. It is the "Kingdom (out) OF Heaven", not "The Kingdom IN Heaven". Our Lord Jesus shows this so clearly in John Chapter 1. The ladder is set ON EARTH. The angels speak of men with resurrection life (Lk.20:35-36). That they are men is shown in that they FIRST GO UP (from the earth). Real angels would DESCEND. These men become heavenly. They experience the BIRTH THAT IS FROM ABOVE. Their glory is "CELESTIAL". They are partakers of the DIVINE NATURE (2nd Pet.1:4). They are a NEW CREATURE. Old things have passed away. They are no more connected to Adam. Once fully saturated with the things of heaven, they return to Earth. Enoch and the Paul see the Lord returning to earth WITH all His saints (1st Thess.3:13, 4:14, Jude 14). After this, the Overcoming saints will sit on thrones judging and ruling (Rev.20:1-6)

I find Halloween and that death stuff abhorrent. I do think the skulls and stuff that bikers wear is an attempt to look tough. Even military squadrons used the theme as an intimidation tactic. Not my thing.

Interesting! My family used to tour cemeteries in New England, finding patriots of old's resting places and sayings, testimony on their markers also toured around little church cemeteries looking for stones with funny sayings on them. Strange what some stones shared as a lasting epitaph of a real person. I ended up spending some major portion of my earlier career years in the mortuary - cemetery business starting at age 17.

What is evil also presents opportunity- to share of the gospel of Jesus. To be in prayer for very specific individuals and groups. So upset? No, Grateful? Yes. The very symbols and practices one comes across might also scream out; you, you there, you are needed here! Come, please come and give testimony in word and deed of your creator and your source of hope that is certain within you. Being upset might be the beginning of awareness that the Holy Spirit is calling. Some do get called and moved, to places as diverse as Sandy Hook Cn., Benin, Nassau, Papua New Guinea, and even Palos Verdes Ca. There is both evil and opportunity most everywhere. Us just pointing is not a response, not really, to a call from the Holy Spirit. It is merely a beginning observation, least it seems that way to me as I see by comparison people of all ages even geezers go where called to at least be helpful support to Christ's troops on the ground all over this earth. Yes that awareness is also to be seen in the mirror and the call is either responded to or ignored by each of us if and when we are called. Be the warriors God intended us to be is a hard slogan, but wow what fun once grasped onto. To enter the fray of spiritual warring where the victory is not so much in defeat of another person but instead the freeing of them from their plight. Being used of the Holy Spirit wow awesome joy, even when it hurts one's own physical body and it's own "loves".

I feel differently about it based on the imagery/occasion in question. I've always been on the morbid and gloomy side, even as a kid, and spent a lot of time admiring cemeteries and reading the inscriptions. In and of itself death related imagery doesn't really bother me. Remembering that we can and will die and that it's largely out of our own hands can be a good thing and a motivator, both spiritually and from a purely worldly perspective. I'd personally not make much of this in and of itself. Fancy art does not an idol make. What people do with it does. What I think a lot of people do with the death related imagery isn't anything idolatrous, but rather an attempt to look tough or edgy. Pretty much what you said in your post. I share the skepticism that they're not afraid to die, too. It's easy to say that when it's distant from you. But when it's close at hand and you realize what you're about to lose it's going to hit people hard emotionally more often than not. I do see the demon related imagery as a separate matter entirely, along with some of the death related holidays. Some of the Asian holidays surrounding the dead very much fall under the heading of worship of or attempting to communicate with the dead. Obvious bad ideas there.

I would say God gave it to man when He created man and forever, on into the new earth. It is ONE of the purposes of God in Christ.

Okay, thanks. So what I am referring to in this thread is specifically the 1,000 year kingdom reign on earth after His 2nd coming. (and changed the title to reflect that period)

Briefly, your wife is correct. But it is not the whole matter. A Kingdom, by definition, is an area or sphere which is ruled by a king who can make his laws stick. God, being All-mighty, and being the author of the universe, is rightful owner and has the power to make His rules stick. But He put a restriction on Himself. He made the area of the earth dependent on a partner - man. This man has failed in his duties and so while there is no trouble in heaven and the rest of the universe, earth does not have a record of keeping His rules. Added to this, even if the king can make his rules stick, any uprising in thought word and/or deed is a blemish and needs dealing with. In the past, Israel was, for a while, invincible. But they succumbed to Law-breaking and God took away their "sphere" - the Land of Canaan. After Nebuchadnezzar deported Judah, God is called only the "God of heaven", not "The God of Heaven and Earth". It is not that He has lost ownership, but that His partner has failed and God's House was destroyed. At the moment, God is king in the Church. He gave the keys to us. He expects man to govern the Church according to His rules. So John can say in Revelation 1:9 that he is in the Kingdom. God dwells in a Christian and so His Kingdom is "within" us. But God has not instituted His Kingdom on the earth - YET. Jesus, Son of Man, is busy preparing a replacement government. While He does that, the Gentiles rule. When the New Man of Ephesians 2 is ready, God will, through the Man Jesus and His Overcomers, take the earth by force (Dan.2, Rev.19). This is the everlasting Kingdom, the first 1,000 years of which are for subduing enemies, having the Wedding Feast and rewarding or chastising the Church. Christ and His Overcomers will uphold God's will on earth and the Kingdom will be assertive among all men and over the whole earth.

`Throne,` means authority. Thus, the Son will come with the authority His father gave Him previously. `I have set my king on my holy hill of Zion.` (Ps. 2: 6) And that authority is set in the highest realm. `you have come to Mount Zion....to God,....angels....Jesus...` (Heb. 12: 22 - 24) No one on earth gave Jesus His kingship. That is why He said His `kingdom/rule was not of this world.` (John 18: 36) It is the Father who gives Jesus His kingship and we see that throne, (rule) set in heaven prior to the tribulation. `behold, a throne set in heaven, and one sat on the throne...like a jasper and a sardius stone...` (Rev. 4: 2 & 3) The Father set this throne up in the highest. And it is His Son, the conqueror (jasper) and king, (sardius) who it is for. Remember Jesus said to the overcomers - `To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with me on MY THRONE as I also overcame and sat down with my father on His throne.` (Rev. 3: 21) Thus in Matt. 25: 31 we read of the Lord coming with His angels and with the authority (throne) of the Father. It is not from this world. Jesus will set up His earthly rule through Israel and return on high. `The Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. He will subdue the peoples under our feet. He will choose our inheritance for us. The excellence of Jacob whom He loves. God has GONE UP WITH A SHOUT,` The Lord with the sound of the trumpet.....` (Ps. 47: 2 & 5)

It really boils down to the question; Do the Nations who survive the Great Tribulation get a new nature or not? If "Yes", then we must be able to show when they received it and what nature it is. Within this answer you'll have to explain why it suddenly reverses itself for Magog's rebellion. If "No", then the carnal mind is at enmity with God. Romans 7 continues to be valid so that even under threat of death the Nations will be unable to keep any Laws. The rod of iron will have a major effect though. I lived in a Middle Eastern monarchy for six years and the draconian sentences were a great deterrent. You could mostly leave your house and car unlocked and women were safe to be out alone. But this was no guarantee, and every now and again there was a heinous crime committed. Man is hopelessly fallen. Romans 5:12-17 is still valid and Adam's nature will still be passed from man for those not in resurrection. Israel gets three effective helps to keep the Law. 1. It is written inside of them, not on stone tables. 2. The receive a new heart. 3. They receive a new spirit (Jer.31:31-33, Ezek.11:19, 36:26). Those of the Nations don't have this advantage.

It's back and forth with you two. I have only approved these recent posts so you can see what the problem is and appreciate why I am locking this thread.

Actually, comparing how the exact same verb form in 1 verse with how the same exact verb form is translated elsewhere in the Ot is hardly being "out of context". It is seeing how a single word is usually translated elsewhere in the OT. That's how we learn what a word means, by seeing how it is used in ALL the verses where it occurs.

Wow - quite the set of verses . . . thanks for posting! And these mention "hell." Hell is another one of the other "death icons" that is often seen. Again, it seems to be cool to mock any fear of God or His judgments. Oh Lord - open their eyes!

Isaiah 28: 15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: 16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. 17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. 18 And your covenant with death shall be dis-annulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26:27-28

Isaiah 51 7 “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings.

The elders in heaven are the elders OF THE HEAVENLY HOST.... 1Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. AND ANYONE WHO CLAIMS ANYTHING DIFFERENT IS GUESSING AT BEST and CERTAINLY should never use 'the elders' to promote ANY THEORY WHATSOEVER... So there are elders in heaven just like there are 'elders' on earth "And Joseph went up to bury his father: and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt," Genesis 50:7 KJV "Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:" Exodus 3:16 KJV "And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him." Exodus 19:7 KJV "And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the LORD: and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD." Leviticus 4:15 KJV "And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time." Numbers 22:4 KJV "Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die." Deuteronomy 19:12 KJV "And the damsel's father shall say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her;" Deuteronomy 22:16 KJV "Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them." Deuteronomy 31:28 KJV "And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel." Joshua 8:33 KJV "And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob:" Judges 11:5 KJV "Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God." 1 Samuel 15:30 KJV "And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them." 2 Samuel 12:17 KJV "And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house." 2 Samuel 19:11 KJV "Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not." 1 Kings 20:7 KJV "And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them." 1 Kings 21:11 KJV "And he sent Eliakim, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz." 2 Kings 19:2 KJV "But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter." Ezra 5:5 KJV "Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us." Ezra 10:14 KJV "The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, and keep silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground." Lamentations 2:10 KJV "Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas," Matthew 26:3 KJV "And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed." Acts 14:23 KJV "And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them." Acts 15:4 KJV "Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:" Acts 15:22 KJV "And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church." Acts 20:17 KJV "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:" 1 Peter 5:1 KJV "And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold." Revelation 4:4 KJV "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." Revelation 5:5 KJV "And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." Revelation 5:6 KJV "And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth." Revelation 14:3 KJV

Some of the coldest conditions struck over 2 billion years ago, after the rise of atmospheric oxygen. More deep freezes occurred between 750 and 600 million years ago. Although scientists debate exactly how extensive the ice coverage was during these times, the evidence indicates that ice reached sea level in equatorial regions. Im surprised not one person complained of weather change when it got the coldest ever on earth

The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zeph. 3:17 NKJV

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:28

Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Amos 5:14

The actual statistics as to who does or doesn't believe the man Jesus IS the Jewish messiah are available. Certainly a very high percentage of both Jews and church types contribute to the negative numbers. Jews generally DO look forward to the coming of Messiah, but that anticipation is qualified by the Orthodox Rabbinate which in turn defines who might or might not qualify as their candidate for the office. Since they illegally rejected Jesus, who DID qualify according to the LAW OF MOSES they don't have a legal leg to stand on. They reject Jesus anyway since their authority is accepted. (Oddly, Orthodox rabbinate's rejection of Jesus as messiah has been subject to a certain degree of erosion in recent years. Thinking Jews are beginning to realize Orthodox rejection of Jesus has something wrong with it - legally as well as logically.) More than half of denominational churches DO NOT accept the Bible as the Word of God. These are; Episcopal (and the British component called the Anglican church), Lutherans, Presbyterians and Methodists. The Roman Catholic church sits on the fence, as it were, where it's been sitting for two millennia. The United Methodist Church has in recent years adopted a procedure by which member churches can 'disassociate' themselves from the Methodist union. Unfortunately the procedure is long, expensive and rather complex. People who are disappointed with the UMC simply leave it and go elsewhere. As of this writing an archBishop of the Anglican church has stated the Lord's prayer is problematic because it refers to God as 'Father' and ought not be used in its present context. In other words, they are rather confused about the gender of God as stated in Holy Writ. They prefer to yield to politically correct views. We live in confusing times when definitions of familiar words and terms are thrust upon all those who desire above all else to maintain their dedication to Christ. I believe that discipleship REQUIRES study and implementation of Mosaic LAW in the lives of believers. Non-Jews aren't required to abide by certain aspects of the LAW, but are indeed well advised to consider its spiritual and moral aspects as it pertains to their personal journey. The FACT that God's LAW doesn't change and hasn't been abolished should provide solace and a firm foundation upon which to base one's religion. Political correctness is the shifting sand Jesus warned us about. that's me, hollering from the choir loft....

whatever technology the Beast or it's image uses will be harmless until the beast makes it mandatory and demands worship. Since Jesus tells us that no one can snatch us away from the Father once we are his, I don't think we should worry much about it. Once we go totally cashless, just about anything could be the mark.

I thought the same thing around 1969 when credit was only given if one had checking account, cash was out, then came credit cards then every company had it own credit card now auto debit your account, tomorrow digital money.

Well I myself have been thinking that it is forever part of a person with no way of removing it. Thing is, are we looking at some kind of "means of identification" done at our very core? Is it going to be part of our genetic makeup to use a expression? But what is interesting is that the "right hand" in reference to the MOTB may not literally be referring to our right hands, but perhaps our DNA? Has anyone here heard the term "right-handed double helix"?

Um, no. But it is a great agenda! Boy would I love to see a debate between Lord Christopher Monckton, against Owl Gore. Well, microevolution is a 'scientific fact' (sorry, science does not actually deal in facts, but I will roll with it) and is observed at every birth. But there is nothing that would suggest molecules-to-man is observed, such as macroevolution, nor is organic evolution, stellar nor cosmic. What legal rights are the LGBT lacking?

IMO and FWIW: Anything that is in first place in your life, that you allow to direct the course of your life and your thoughts above other things, is the god you are worshiping, the god you are following. What is your life oriented around? That is the god you follow.