Dad Ernie

Greetings Ovedya, You err because Adam was specifically told to NOT eat the the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, whereas, he was encouraged to eat of the Tree of Life. It was Eve that was tempted by the serpant. She had probably gone to get some fruit from the Tree of Life when the Serpant caught her attention and enticed her. It just takes common sense to understand this, why such resistance? Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Matthitjah, You and I are born into a world of sin (evil). From birth, all that is alien to God, we are subjected to. Not so with Adam and Eve, they were born into a world of ONLY good. There was no contrasting "evil". In the situation of the Garden, what was "evil"? It was knowing what to do and either not doing it or doing something just the opposite. Eat - Do Not Eat! God has given us commandments telling us what is good and what is evil. We are to choose the Good. Both involve Knowledge, true, but God does not forbid us to have the "good" knowledge. You are old enough to know that when you are told NOT to do something, all your life, you want to find out WHY you can't do it, until such time you find out and you get your fingers burnt. So to obey the Good is to bless you, keep you safe, and keep you right with God and Man. But to do evil, that is not to obey the Good, you will always suffer the consequences: Numbers 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Blindseeker, What brought about the ultimate death of Adam and Eve? It was not having access to the Tree of Life. His disobedience and sin facilitated his death. This is clearly revealed in Gen 3:22. Would you answer the question - Would Adam and Eve go perhaps 70 years, or at least many years without eating of the Tree of Life? Especially since God made an issue of it. What would you do in Adam's situation? Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Ovedya, I have heard this response before - typical OSAS. No offense, but you probably do not believe that a person could have their name blotted out of the Lamb's Book of Life as well. Yet elsewhere I have shown several verses which indicate that God does do that. It is not reasonable to assume that Adam and Eve DID NOT eat of the Tree of Life during their many years in the Garden. But that is what you are doing. There is nothing said, even in the curse that would indicate they NEVER ate of that tree. OSAS basically says that once you confess Christ as Lord and Savior, you will ALWAYS be saved. I have known many though, that contradict this. One very close, my sister, gave all indications at first that she had been saved. But I am reminded of: Matthew 13:20-22 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. I continue to pray for her, but in retrospect, at no time did she show the love and devotion to Christ on a daily basis that would indicate a true conversion. You see, I know that my heart has been changed. I love the Lord with all my heart mind body and spirit. I truly believe that my name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life and I do not believe that Christ will EVER let me go. I am His and He is mine. Praise God! But you know what? If I go for a day or a week or a month without that steady inflow of the bread of life - the Tree of Life, I begin to lose touch with my moorings. I KNOW that Adam and Eve maintained their life while in the Garden by daily eating of the Tree of Life. Perhaps on the day of their deception, they were distracted from eating of it by the serpant and of course - fell away and fell into sin. Do you honestly believe that Adam and Eve could go all those years in the Garden without eating of the Tree of Life? Please answer this and tell me whether you think that would be reasonable and why. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Lusankya and Herod, Subj: I AM A FOOL Psalms 14:1 <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. Psalms 53:1 <To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David.> The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. In 1975 I met a young Christian man whom I tried to convert to a cult. In six months I persued him but he never once argued with me or condemned me, but each time he would give me a scripture and I would run to the Bible to refute him. One day, he gave me a verse which convinced me beyond doubt that Christ is the way, the truth and the life. I was so convicted of my sins and doubts that I spent the next few hours weeping and repenting before the Lord. I had finally met him! At that time, He cleansed me and washed me in His blood. I got up knowing that I had been born again into a new life. I can never doubt Him again. I have seen many miracles and I grow closer to Him each day. I have learned the "joy of the Lord", and I know that in the both of you there is an emptiness and a joylessness in your lives that can only be filled by Jesus. I have become a "fool for Christ", and am not ashamed of His wonderful Name. There WILL be a day you shall stand before Him. I hope you bow to Him long before that though, because if not, you know where you will be going. God Bless, Dad Ernie

Greetings Nebula, 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 1 Timothy 2:13-14 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. IMHO I believe her sin began as the idea developed in her mind. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Nebula, Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. In the "center" of the Garden were two trees. For perhaps 70 years, you are free to eat from all but one tree. Hmmmm I wonder if there is something special about that Tree of Life? Suppose? Did God say that they could only eat of it once? Of course not. Looking at a reverse of the "types and shadow" imagery, I have pointed out that we MUST eat daily of the Christ - our "Tree of Life". God created the Tree of Life so that Adam and Eve could "live forever in the Garden", as long as they continued to eat of it. Why assume that they never ate of it? There is nothing, even in the curse that would indicate they NEVER ate of it. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Yesult, Why do you keep saying that Adam and Eve were Perfect? Only one has been declared "perfect" and that was Satan. I have read every page of this topic. Have you? Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Yesult, Have you read all that I have posted? What do you think Adam and Eve ate all the years that they were in the Garden? Do you think they would follow God's suggestion? Especially about the one of eating of the Tree of Life? Would you, if God suggested to you that it was something special? Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Lusankya, Consider: Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. If you can't choose, I don't know how you get up every day. You have before you life and death - CHOOSE LIFE! Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Lusankya, Consider: Matthew 12:38-40 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. also: Luke 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection have already occurred and attested to by thousands living at that time, and billions, perhaps trillions since that time as He has worked in their lives to change them and to give them life. Consider this also: Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Even a mustard seed of faith will put you on the road to salvation through Christ, but you will have to come to a time in your life where you absolutely reject Him and of course reap the rewards, or accept Him as Lord and Savior and reap eternal life. There is a saying: There are no aetheists in foxholes. You WILL come to that point one day and then you will either rejoice or you will have the deepest regret of your life. I hope it is the prior. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings BlindSeeker Good to see you again. In one of my biblical books, perhaps my Bible encyclopedia, I run across the idea that in Hebrew literature, the word "forever" or "for ever" is frequently synonomous with 1,000 years. For confirming this, you would probably have to find a Jewish scholar. Anyway, Adam had to have been in the Garden for some time. He had to name ALL the animals and he had to learn all about farming and agriculture. I'm sure he didn't do just that, but even these two tasks would take a very long time. All the time he remained in the Garden, he didn't grow old. So basically he started growing old once he was kicked out of the Garden. He lived to be 930 years old - providing you started counting after the garden. This is an example of what I was saying: Psalms 90:4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. 08141 shaneh (in pl. only), {shaw-neh'} or (fem.) shana from 08138; TWOT - 2419a; n f AV - year 797, not translated 55, yearly 3, yearly + 08141 2, year + 01121 1, live + 02416 1, old + 02416 + 03117 1, misc 4; 875 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Look into the Hebrew numbering system - particularly for the # 1,000 and see if there is a direct reference to "forever or always". Just my own thoughts - something to consider. God Bless, Dad Ernie

This sounds sort of sarcastic, which is really unfortunate. So I thought I would try to give you some scriptural answers to your questions, even though you didn't address me: 1. 2. Isaiah 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. Isaiah 42:6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; Isaiah 49:6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. Isaiah 49:22 Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. Isaiah 60:3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. et al. 3. Creation - basically Genesis, but many references throughout the Bible. End Times - throughout the Bible are references applying to the end times. 4. 2 Tim 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 5. Well here is one reference that might help you: Job 36:13 But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them. Job 36:14 They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean. 6. Ecclesiastes 7:15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness. and in response to: Well, Saint, you are better than I. 2 Tim 2:14-16 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings OneLight Perhaps I wasn't clear - You don't have to KEEP EATING of the Tree of Knowledge to retain knowledge forever. Have you forgotten your name yet? What about a book you have recently read? Did you forget it so soon? I think not. Somewhere tucked in the cells of your brain is all the knowledge from your birth till now. However, "life" is different: Mat 6:27 And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life? Your days are numbered, not by you, but by God. You cannot add even one hour to your life. So what does eating from the Tree of Life mean? Jesus is the bread and in Him is LIFE. Do you think you can only eat of Him ONCE and then you are forever saved? I really think not and this has nothing to do with OSAS. Either you pick up your cross and follow Him on a daily basis, eat of Him every day, OR you are none of His. DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT? God Bless, Dad Ernie

Greetings OneLight, They would "live forever" ONLY if they remained in the Garden of Eden and continued to eat of the Tree of Life. I think I know what you are saying, in that once you eat from the Tree of Knowledge, the knowledge you receive remains with you forever. Is that right? So why doesn't the life you get from the Tree of Life remain with you forever? Have you ever tried to GET RID OF KNOWLEDGE? Have you ever tried to ADD ONE MORE DAY TO YOUR LIFE? Do you see the dillimma? Did I answer your question? God Bless, Dad Ernie

Greetings Massorite, Have you considered: Romans 8:20-22 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. I have raised this issue before, somewhere, and I was INFORMED that these verses applied to AFTER the FALL. In my research of this I have not found any of our great expositors that agree with me, but I have found no satisfactory reason to believe otherwise. I disagree for many reasons. I believe they apply to the very beginning of creation and to ALL of God's creatures including man. First, many purport that Adam and Eve were created "perfect", which is an outright lie. Only one of God's creatures were created "perfect" and that was Satan. Surprised? Jesus WAS NOT CREATED! Okay, I think you know what I mean. Let me give you some thoughts: For the first five days of creation, God declared that what He created was "Good". On the sixth day, God declared that " Gen 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good." Let me put that in MY words: "every thing he had made (for HIS PURPOSES)". YES, YES, I KNOW - DO NOT ADD OR TAKE AWAY.... But would you say that interpretation sounds better than declaring that Adam and Eve were created "perfect"? What I am saying here is that WE are made of the same stuff that Adam and Eve were. The difference is that they were not born into a world of sin, but WE ARE. Every baby has waiting for him/her that day they will sin (offend God) - JUST LIKE ADAM AND EVE! There is more here that I could add, but this may already be too long for many. Next - Consider: Psalms 8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Hebrews 2:7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Matthew 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: In light of this last verse - who is going to say that Adam and Eve were PERFECT? One more verse: Phil 2:6-8 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. So in order of "perfection" we find that at one time (ministry of Jesus) this was the order of "perfection" (if I can keep from being blasphemos) (there may be a better word): GOD SATAN AND THE ANGELS JESUS MAN (INCLUDING ADAM & EVE) To conclude: Romans 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 3153 mataiotes {mat-ah-yot'-ace} from 3152; TDNT - 4:523,571; n f AV - vanity 3; 3 1) what is devoid of truth and appropriateness 2) perverseness, depravity 3) frailty, want of vigour Seeing this definition, and considering that Adam and Eve were unable to resist the wiles of the serpant, I would have to say that this definition most definately applied to them, as well as it does to us. Sorry for the length, but I could have said more. God Bless, Dad Ernie

Thanks Nebula. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings, I have heard some of this stuff from the "Word of Faith" movement. It's a bunch of HOKUM! Consider the differences between these two ideas: Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Acts 16:16-18 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. In the first, Peter was given "special knowledge" from God through the Holy Spirit. In the second, the damsel was given "special knowledge" by an ungodly spirit. Adam and Eve were as human as we are. Their only special gift different from ours was that they spoke and heard in the language of God and Angels. Which is actually saying a lot, but don't be fooled, Satan can show himself to be an Angel of Light. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings All, So why is it that everyone assumes that Adam and Eve DID NOT eat of the fruit of the Tree of Life? How long do you suppose that they were in the Garden - I have my reasons, but I strongly suspect about 70 years. Okay, I believe in the types and shadows of the OT as may be revealed in the NT. Do you realize in the NT, we have a "Tree of Life"? Now tell me, do you eat of that tree once then forget it forever? Of course not. I find myself eating from that tree every day of my life - because it gives life to my spirit. Now don't you suppose that for every day Adam and Eve were in the Garden they ate from the Tree of Life? Of course, they probably had other fruit and vegetables to eat, but I would bet that "Tree of Life" fruit was absolutely scrumptious and nourishing for the body, perhaps as well as the spirit. It may not have been quite as "pretty" as the fruit from the other tree, but let me give you this to consider: Ezekiel 28:13-15 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. 14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. NOW YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HELP ME OUT HERE, CAUSE I CAN'T REMEMBER A VERSE: In the OT, a verse describes the appearance of our Lord as being uncomely, nothing to look upon, or to take notice of. Consider those two verses. We see Satan as beautiful and gorgeous and even in the NT it is said he can appear as an "angel of light". Whereas Jesus in contrast, was not distinguished in appearance. I bring these verses up because the "Tree of Life" probably was not as beautiful as the "Tree of Knowledge". In any case, I believe Adam and Eve ate from that Tree of Life as long as they were in the Garden. Once they were removed from the tree of life - this is what is said: 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: So if Adam and Eve were allowed to stay in the Garden and EAT DAILY of the Tree of Life, they would live forever in a state of SIN. God Bless, Dad Ernie P.S. BTW, I do believe we shall see them in Heaven, as God made propitiation for them with a covering - UNTIL the time of Christ, when their sins were paid for, as were all the OT saints.

Greetings, A lot of good answers interspersed with some questionable ones. I am reminded of: Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; X7 and Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Now consider Pentecost. It is my personal opinion that those disciples speaking in "other languages", really were only speaking in ONE language. It was the people that "heard" (by the Spirit of God) what the disciples were actually saying. So what language did Adam, Eve and God speak in the Garden of Eden? Can I offer one? How about "God Speak"! Okay, this was spoken till the Tower of Babel: Genesis 11:1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. Do you realize that Adam and Eve probably knew Noah, and Most certainly his father Lamech. But that doesn't have anything to do with this topic. So from the Garden to the Tower of Babel, only "God Speak" was spoken. Something that I have learned in my 33 years of being a Christian is that when you ACTUALLY hear God, and I mean not just that subtle voice of the Holy Spirit, but actually, physically (seemingly) HEAR HIM WHEN HE SPEAKS, His words to me have always been few, but profoundly informative. It was like in my "hearing" all the meaning came with HIS WORDS! I believe that when Adam was booted out of the Garden, before he left, God imparted to him, all the knowledge that he would ever need about life, farming, worship, etc. etc. So this was the language that was used until the Tower of Babel. When people spoke to each other, the real, entire meaning was imparted to the hearer. Now one more verse: 1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. OOPS, I didn't have to invent a word "God Speak", because there is already given in the scriptures a name for the first language spoken by God and man - "tongues of angels". After the dispersal at Babel, THEN came "tongues of men", and you know what? I believe that those at Pentecost, speaking another language" were speaking with the "Tongues of Angels". And I believe that a person can also have this same gift. I have heard story upon story of a person speaking and the "hearer" hearing that person in their own language. AMAZING! Am I still on track? Well, I believe this verse: Matthew 10:26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. Because God is in the business of keeping His children informed, but only to those who "diligently seek Him". God Bless, Dad Ernie

Greetings, Please read and STUDY 1 Cor 15:15-34. This is critical in the understanding of the Luke passage. Elijah and Moses was SHOWN IN THEIR GLORY. So what can we make of that? The main thing is that God is OUTSIDE of Time, He is not confined by it. Some believe that even before Jesus was born, He appeared to some in the OT. How can that be? Because God sees the beginning from the end and not confined by any part of it. He can operate in the past OR the future. Time (our time) has been manipulated by God on at least two obvious occasions. Once during a battle and another as a sign as the sun moved backwards. It is my personal opinion that when we die we step right into eternity and judgment, which by "our" time takes place at the "end of time", but in God's time, if you can call it that, everything is already a done deal. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Dan, I love you brother, as you have confessed before men the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are great to fess-up to your trials. We can be assured that God's hand is in all of this. Be at peace brother, even when your body is tortured by this disease. As has been said, there is nothing we can do to attain to salvation. If Christ doesn't do it, it won't get done. Have you considered that "God inhabits the praises of His people?" Kinda hard to do right now, but remember what Christ went through. He cried out to God: "Take this cup from me" and on the cross He said, "What has thou forsaken me". I don't think it is "fear" you are experiencing, but a trepidation of not knowing clearly what is to come. But be assured my brother that what is to come is far greater and more wonderful than man can speak with words. You are safe in His hands. Don't believe Satan's lies when he tries to tell you differently. The Lord said to me once "I shall never leave you nor forsake you." I believe that and I accept it - come what may. We all suffer from the frailties of this body, sin, sickness, doubts, fears, worries, but just search the scriptures for those verses which the Holy Spirit shall reveal to you to grab hold on and not release. I have had God "speak" to me, almost verbally on a few occasions. Sometimes, His answer has come after many days, and at other times, they came almost immediately. Hold on to what you have. Consider your infirmities a blessing that draws you closer to God. That is the ONLY real thing worthy of all our efforts. My prayers and blessings are with you brother, Dad Ernie My prayer: Father, I do not know what Dan is going through, and I hope I never have to suffer as he is suffering. But this I do know that you are right there with him through all these difficulties. I pray God that you give him comfort in his heart, soul and mind and remind him that this is only temporary and you have a much better plan in store for him. Bless him this day Oh God! I ask these things in Jesus' precious name. Amen.

Greetings, I try to avoid taking just one scripture and making a doctrine of it. What is unforgivable? Well, of course, we are all familiar with the "blaspheme of the Holy Spirit", but what about Annanias and Sapphira in Acts 5? What about those who "take the mark of the Beast" in Revelation? God makes it clear that they who add to or take away from the Word of God shall have their name removed from the Lamb's Book of Life. What do we do with that? What do we think of those who are NOT SEALED with the seal of the Holy Spirit? You see, the question is not always an easy one. Blessings, Dad Ernie

I agree with Trinity on this one - man will be shown to be without excuse. Greetings David From New Bern, Dan 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. Rev 7:2-4 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 1 Cor 15:52-53 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Rev 18:9-11 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. 11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: Matthew 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. Now if you don't already know all these verses I referenced, then I suggest the first thing you do is READ YOUR BIBLE. Because otherwise you do not have a basis from which to ask or respond to Biblical questions, especially concerning its mysteries. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Elkie, Marnie gave a pretty good outline as has been said. This statement you make leads me to believe you are a pacifist, totally against war. A current situation involves Islam and the Palestinians who have sworn to destroy Israel. Iran recently made this same pledge - another Islamic country. In the Islamic traditions, agreements will be made with absolutely no intention of keeping them. They lull their adversary into a state of relaxation and infiltration by Islam will occur until they win their war - against Israel and against Christians. Now what would you have done about the 6 million Jews that were killed by Germany? It took a long time before the west took up their arms and defeated Hitler. Do you accept that? Would you defend the defenseless? Would you protect your child or other loved one if some real baddies planned hideous things for them? We live in a broken world that won't be restored until Christ's reign on this earth. At one time Jesus even told his disciples to take a sword with them on their ministry. Now why would Jesus do that? Because all along their journey their were thieves and rabble raisers. How is it that God would allow Elisha to send a bear to attack a bunch of young kids who called him baldy? If you think differently, then you had better reconsider whether you know Christ or not. Blessings, Dad Ernie