Dad Ernie

Greetings David from New Bern, You have summed up pretty well what I believe. My only comments are: Regarding the perception of the Apostles - at that time, they were still expecting Jesus to "take over" and begin His reign. They still believed that national Israel was "God's chosen people" and that Jesus would be reigning in the Herodian Temple. They were undoubtedly astonished at Jesus saying that of the temple, no stone will be left unturned. How could this be of such a glorious temple of God? Well, if you read Daniel 9, we see a prophecy of the destruction of the temple and until the CONSUMMATION, it will remain unbuilt. That is NO MORE TEMPLE EVER. Later in the Epistles we find out that "You are the TEMPLE of the Holy Ghost which is in you." You would do well to study the words "heiron" and "naos", both enterpreted "temple", however, the "naos" is the Holy of Holies, the Holy place and the altar before the "naos". Please check this out, it will enlighten you. Second, we see the mention of the 144,000 in Rev 7. So consider also the word "all" as in "all Israel" in Romans 11:26. The word "all" is not the all you think it is. It is from the Greek: 3956 pas {pas} including all the forms of declension; TDNT - 5:886,795; adj AV - all 748, all things 170, every 117, all men 41, whosoever 31, everyone 28, whole 12, all manner of 11, every man 11, no + 3756 9, every thing 7, any 7, whatsoever 6, whosoever + 3739 + 302 3, always + 1223 3, daily + 2250 2, any thing 2, no + 3361 2, not tr 7, misc 26; 1243 1) individually 1a) each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything 2) collectively 2a) some of all types ++++ ... "the whole world has gone after him" Did all the world go after Christ? "then went all Judea, and were baptized of him in Jordan." Was all Judea, or all Jerusalem, baptized in Jordan? "Ye are of God, little children", and the whole world lieth in the wicked one". Does the whole world there mean everybody? The words "world" and "all" are used in some seven or eight senses in Scripture, and it is very rarely the "all" means all persons, taken individually. The words are generally used to signify that Christ has redeemed some of all sorts -- some Jews, some Gentiles, some rich, some poor, and has not restricted His redemption to either Jew or Gentile ... C.H. Spurgeon from a sermon on Particular Redemption The 144,000 can truly be said to be the "all Israel", as noted in Spurgeon's explanation above. Lastly, do not forget, that the Apostles at that time could not understand the concept that the Kingdom of God was being removed from National Israel and given to a "peoples" that would produce fruit, namely the Kingdom of God went to the gentiles. So in Rev 7, do not omit the multitudes beyond number of "gentiles" that are included WITH the 144,000. For further info consider Eph. 1-3. Blessings, Dad Ernie

1 Cor 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 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. 1 Thess 4:14-17 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. THE RESURRECTION: Rev 11:11-112 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Please note that we shall "reign on THIS EARTH for 1,000 years WITH CHRIST". At the end of the 1,000 years, the New Jerusalem shall come down from heaven and the old creation will be rolled up like a garment and done away with. Blessings, Dad Ernie

I think this might be slightly overstated: Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." John 1:43 NASB Clearly not a reference to Israel, but to an actual tree under which Nathaniel was sitting. Same with John 1:50 The context has to be the determining factor. It is simply not demanded here, but makes better sense as a sign of anticipation Greetings EricH, Some time back, probably before your time, we had a member on this forum who was very knowledgeable about the Jewish perspective of the scriptures. He has sadly since passed on, and we who knew (of) him and his posts miss him very much. But here is the gist of what He said about Nathaniel: In Jewish customs, it was common for Pharisees and religious men and leaders to sit under the "fig tree" and study and contemplate the scriptures. Thus the "fig Tree" came to represent Israel as they believe that Israel is the vineyard of God. So when Jesus said about Nathaniel, "in him there is no guile", Jesus made reference to "all Israel", again having an oblique reference to the "fig tree". Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings KatyAnn, Matth 24:30-31 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Then you must also believe that the resurrection/rapture occurred in that generation??? Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings David from New Bern, If you examine the text of Mt. 24 with all references to the Fig Tree in the Gospels, you will see that they reference Israel. You will find a parable about the Master visiting the Fig Trees which hadn't produced any fruit and that He was going to chop it down, but a plea was made to let the husbandman work on the trees for 3 years and then for the master to come again and if it did not produce any fruit, then He should chop it down. We also find a verse about the Kingdom taken from Israel and given to a "peoples" that WOULD PRODUCE FRUIT. In Mt. 24 Jesus then explains that when the Fig Tree begins to put forth leaves, that is "Israel has sprung up as a nation again". Notice that though Israel has been regathered, they have PRODUCED NO FRUIT. Also, Jesus speaks of that generation (the last generation of the Fig Tree) would not pass away until all those things in Mt. 24 would be completed. 40 years is what many took this to mean, but King David mentioned 70 years as the life span of man. So 1948 plus 70 years before that generation would PASS AWAY would be my best guess as to the outside date. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Man I hate this pre-trib rapture drivel. A "secret" rapture that takes place BEFORE the dead in Christ rise, and leaving behind multitudes beyond number to "fill up" their trials because Christ's blood was insufficient. Dad Ernie

Now that is a keeper for us statistically minded souls. Thank you and God Bless, Dad Ernie

Greetings Seraphim Bride, Consider: 1 Cor 15:47-53 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 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. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. We know that Jesus walked on water. He suddenly appeared and disappeared from a locale. He is eternally alive. He walked right up into the clouds and disappeared. These are some of the characteristics of the "glorified body". So no, we will not come "full circle". With Adam it was a physical existence, unglorified. Our new bodies will be in temples created by God that will glow with His Glory. Hope that helps. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings St. Worm, Well, regardless of whether Eric rejects "original sin" because it originated in the RCC or not, I side with him, so you can contend with two of us. I do not bow down and kiss the ring of the Pope, and if you don't understand this, then you know nothing about the Catholic Church or the reformation. It is clear that by their fruit you shall know them, and the fruit of the RCC is corrupt, rotten, and full of false doctrine intended to deceive the elect. I hope you investigate your religion a little further. Blessings, Dad Ernie P.S. Sorry if I have offended, you got my hackles raised if you contend with Eric or anyone over RCC doctrine.

Greetings Vitality, There is a sense of the "last days" or "end days" beginning from the time of Christ to the end, which has already been noted, but there is also a sense of the "last days" which refers to the "consummation" of the AGE: 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. James 5:3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. 2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, Two other terms which may be examined regarding the last days are "consummation" and "restoration": Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Matthew 17:11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? We also know that in the (last) "last days" is just before the Lord returns: Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Matthew 24:21-22 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. We see reference to the "great tribulation" in another place: Revelation 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. Revelation 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Those days are intended to "try (test) the Christian's faith", that is, to remove the dross of one's faith, because faith is more precious than silver or gold and shall be purged of everything that would hinder it. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Eric, Think about: Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 4268 prognosis {prog'-no-sis} from 4267; TDNT - 1:715,119; n f AV - foreknowledge 2; 2 1) foreknowledge 2) forethought, pre-arrangement If God DID NOT KNOW EVERYTHING, I don't think I could trust Him for: Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Blessings, Dad Ernie

I went back and reread what you said, and I have to apologize that you -may- have inadvertently given me the wrong impression. Notice in the first two sentences. The first sentence uses the term "created" and in the second you used the word "born". So if this was just a mistake in your part, then I will concede that you have remained consistent. Philippians 2:7 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. 2758 kenoo {ken-o'-o} from 2756; TDNT - 3:661,426; v AV - make void 2, make of none effect 1, make of no reputation 1, be in vain 1; 5 1) to empty, make empty 1a) of Christ, he laid aside equality with or the form of God 2) to make void 2a) deprive of force, render vain, useless, of no effect 3) to make void 3b) cause a thing to be seen to be empty, hollow, false Now here is the word for "vanity" as given in Romans 8:20 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 Do not worry, I have not forgetten: Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Let me reinterpret part of this last verse: For what the COMMANDMENT could not do, IN THAT IT WAS WEAK THROUGH THE FLESH... Don't you believe that this was also the case with Adam? Yet Jesus makes this statement: John 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. Why couldn't Adam say that? Particularly if he were made "perfect", like you seem to think. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Apo, You still have not answered the question: Was Christ made in the image of Adam pre or post fall? Is it not said that He was created a little lower than the angels? What does that mean to you? Under one topic you said that Adam was created "perfect", in this topic you say that he was not. Which is it? Somewhere you got to get your ducks in a row. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings JckDuboise, We can ask no more than to have the heart toward Christ that you do. But I caution you to be careful about defending the oppressed. They may seem oppressed to us, but God may be dealing with them. Most often I have found that you need to get to the bottom of the barrel before you begin looking up. Only go where the Spirit directs. There are "street people" who will stand by the side of the road with a sign pleading for money. I have heard several stories now where they often make more money than a working person. It gives a bad rep to those who are truly needy. So don't go by "feelings", but by the Word of God as the Spirit directs. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Tah, There is no need to say that you are less than who you are in Christ. You have a "new heart" and it is bent on service to the Lord, even with all your frailties. Our minds get caught up in the world for one reason or another and it takes a prodding of the Holy Spirit to draw us back to Him. We repent, and we renew our vow to follow the Lord with all our strength, with all our mind and all our soul. But inward, we tend to look forward to the next fall and hope it never happens because we want to be pleasing to God. That is our desire. Before we came to Christ, we didn't care what God thought, but now we do. I take refuge in this verse: 1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. The day of our "perfection" has not yet arrived, and we look with hope toward that glorious day. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Thank you Matthitjah, No matter how I explained myself, both Tess and Apo leave portions of what I said out of their quotes. I told them once that God had an eternal plan, even for Adam, and thus Christ was necessary. They equate being created "fraile" with God creating sin, which He most certainly did not. I have shown the Greek for "vanity" and for "creature", yet they would rather not examine Romans 8:20 in light of the fact that ALL of creation was subjected to a "frail" condition, lower than the angels and having no inherent life in themselves to sustain them. I do not understand how they arrived at their paradigm, other than taking a concensus of prior expositors and establishing their beliefs. I see the Book of Life as written from the very foundation of the earth and all the names that were to be in it, were already there. I believe Adam's name is there and we shall see him when we get to glory. Christ is the ONLY way to salvation, and as you have pointed out, the Tree of Life, is a type, forshadowing the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessings & again thanks for the help. Dad Ernie

Greetings Tah, Just one more verse you may consider: Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. My "testimony" is of Jesus Christ, what is yours? Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings rfw, I'm not sure what you are "torn" about, but I agree with you, sort of, about Israel and the Church. Consider Romans 9-11 and Ephesians 1-3. This is all about how both gentile and Jew will become one in Christ, and indeed these two are the "witnesses" in the last days. Since Moses and Elijah "appeared in glory", I think their majestic appearance, if I might use that term, somehow reveals WHO they are. I believe that when we get our glorified bodies we too will recognize those whom we meet, from Adam to John, the Revelator and many more. We shall know Him, even as He now knows us. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings David, I'll let you decide from the following scriptures: James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings, Some important verses to remember regarding prophecy: Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. Amos 3:8 The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy? Matthew 24:25 Behold, I have told you before. John 14:29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings, Felix gave a good answer, so I'll just add my 2c. Back in '75, because of a particular event in my life, which I won't talk about, I went to God and wailed and wailed because Satan pounded me with self condemnation. After about a week, of pounding on the doors of heaven, God spoke to me so clearly, I thought I was hearing Him with my physical ears, but it was my "spiritual ears" to which He spoke. He said: "My grace is sufficient for thee." I go: "What? What do You mean? Certainly that can't apply to my situation." Well, I was not real familiar with the scriptures at the time, but I found it in reference to Paul's thorn, so I researched everything I could find on that verse. (2 Cor 12:9) None of the expositors I read agreed to what was Paul's thorn specifically. Some say his eyes were bad, (see what big letters I write), some say he was a stutterer (I am poor of speech), and on and on it went. Then again, I felt, more than I heard the idea that "sometimes what is not said in the scriptures, speak more than what is said." Then I understood. We are given grace in our infirmities. We fail so often, does that mean we are not saved? Of course not, God's "grace" is sufficient to carry us through our infirmities and difficulties we face with the Flesh, Satan and this World. We have an intercessor that is ever praying for us before the Father AND HE WILL NEVER LET US GO. If I didn't have that trust, (a covenant between me and the Savior (His favor, not mine), I would have died under condemnation long ago. So, no matter what the situation, go to God, confess your sins, and He is faithful to forgive you your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. You are bought with the precious price of the blood of the Lamb of God. He didn't pay that price to see any one of His little ones lost. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings, If the marriage is supposed to be like Christ and the church: (Eph 5) Then, even as Christ would not "divorce" the church, so should not the man divorce his wife. The wife OTOH, (the bride) often terribly fails and seeks a divorce. This should not be, but it is a fact of life, so consider: 1 Cor 7:27-28 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you. God knows the hearts and at the time of judgment shall make everyting plain. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Dad Ernie, as you probably know, there is a difference between reincarnation and resurrection. The one has to do with Hindu philosophy (kharma) that good is rewarded with a better position in your "next life". The other has to do with being raised by the power of God through the will of God to fulfill the purpose of God, which is spoken of in 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4. We who are in Christ will be raised with a new body for a new, uncorrupted life. Greetings rfw, Consider: Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So is Moses waiting to be "resurrected" to return and to die again? I think not. Also you may want to consider: 1 Cor 15:35-57. No one, that is no one (Enoch or Elijah included) are in heaven or the spiritual realm, or with God "in the flesh". You may also want to consider: Luke 9:30-31 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings David, Consider: Matthew 21:12-13 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. Do you think that Jesus was mad at what was happening with the temple? Anger is good if you use it to bring about the glory of God. It will cause you to take steps to alleviate that anger. The problem we have is that we as humans tend to attempt to satisfy the flesh. The flesh can never be satisfied. If we direct our steps according to the Word by the direction of the Holy Spirit, something constructive will come out of it. Hope that helps. Blessings, Dad Ernie

Greetings Matthitjah, Isn't this verse interesting, especially the part I highlighted: 1 Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Without a doubt the angels were created first before Adam. Their knowledge is so vast, yet they cannot see the end, as can God. So God created man - lower than the angels. Without their power, without their knowledge, without ever seeing death as man was soon to experience. I am sure those angels looked upon Adam and asked in their hearts(?) "What is God going to do with such a frail, puny creature?" Then to top it off, as to prove a point, Adam sinned and separated man from God. He was not created to sin, but without the power within himself to sustain himself, he was doomed from the start - for the creature was created in vanity - IN HOPE by God Himself. Glory is given to God when man finally realizes he is but a passing wind, here today and gone tomorrow. He is as nothing before God and even the angels - yet as we are told, we shall judge even the angels. From a humanist viewpoint, I can imagine why Satan hates mankind. When we go before a judge on this earth, we hope to be tried by a jury of our "peers". Yet we are so much lower than the angels and we shall judge them. Can you just imagine Satan's fury over this. It is no wonder He uses every trick in the book to destroy our relationship with Christ. But Christ came to destroy that hold that Satan had "under the law". Our faith in Christ is what sustains us and gives us the strength to resist all the wiles of the enemy. Isn't God just great? Blessings, Dad Ernie