2404

I also believe it to be a wonderful story of God's grace to us and true the religious order of the day failed in their calling but Paul warns us not to get lifted up as he says in Rom.11:23 "God is able to graff them in again." As we see the signs of the times it 'seems' the close of the days of the Gentiles can't be too far away. Thank you and God bless

In Jesus Christ's day the majority of the people who called themselves God's people put Him on the cross. Mt.13:46 "Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." And again: Mt. 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Therefore it would seem that a christian would have little desire to wrap themselves up in the political activities of this world.

Hello JTC, I'm with you on that one. I guess I'm not so much asking a question but musing and hoping to connect. Perhaps what Paul says in Ph. 2:12 applies here, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

A birth is a mess no matter where it takes place. The Holy Spirit is not governed or influenced by church tradition, cultural norms, fashion or personal lifestyle preferences. If our lives are not a reflection of the Word then we are worshiping a God of our own imagination. In our 'christian' zeal are we only trying to win someone to our own way of thinking? Is our witness in power with signs following or in word only? Are we focusing too much on making Christianity marketable? These are good questions for me too. God bless

You are right of course and I still would rather think about this than politics. How about Abraham being the spiritual church and Lot the nominal.

As we know the spiritual, being first is a greater reality than the natural. As I understand it the natural types the spiritual. An example would be in our marriage union with a groom and his bride being a type of Christ and His bride. Another type that comes to mind is that of Noah and his family going through the tribulation but Enoch being translated, a type for our end time. If you care to add a scriptural type that you find striking, it would be good.

Thank you Bary Indeed I respect and appreciate the work of the scholars. As implied 'where would we be without it'? I did spend four years in the Baptist college/seminary ‘years ago’ so I can somewhat relate to the disciplines involved. In part what I am saying is that I don’t think there is the edification in scholasticism alone.

Hello 2404 what do you mean by critique; do you mean speaking negatively ? I think examining the Scriptures is a good thing after all how can we know what they mean otherwise. I too believe that the bible is our spiritual food and it needs to lead us. We need to conform to it instead of using it to support our positions. I believe the reasons there are so many factions in Christianity is because there are so many opinions. God will do a legitimate work among us and we will pick it up and put our stamp on it and then decide who is in or out. The Word of the Lord comes to the prophets. In this our day God has done a work where the dead have been raised the blind have received their sight the lame made whole and the thoughts and intents of the heart were revealed. God does not do those things to show that He can but as when he walked the earth He does it for a purpose, a message will follow. By critique I mean allowing our own understanding to have pre-eminence. Thank you and God bless. Ed

I have often wonder the same thing myself. The Bible was made to correct us, II Timothy 3:16. But we hear and see so many modern scholars wanting to correct God's Word it saddens me greatly. Yes, but at the same time has not a lot of good been done (Lk. 9:50) and we know that life is not in the letter but in the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:5,6). All is well 2 Tim. 1:12

I appreciate what you're saying. But don't you agree that with God being infinite He has everything under control. I like the story of the Shunammite woman when she came to Elisha her son having died and her response 'all is well'. 2 Kg 4:26

I have also heard that when reality strikes there is no place for material ambitions, family and friends take priority. I understand that when Friedrich Nietzsche was breathing his last his eyes came open and in seeing where he was destined he went mad. In contrast F. F. Bosworth had over an hour of greeting saints that had gone on before, after which he laid himself down and past over.

How is it possible for us to have rapturing faith if we still feel it necessary to critique God's Word? Peter walked on water but when he started to consider he began to sink.

The foolish virgin is a virgin to Christ and will recieve salvation but through judgement. They stood for Jesus so he will stand for them. When the bride leaves the foolish virgin will realize her state and because she is a virgin she will keep her stand even onto death.

After the rapture it is 'let him that is holy be holy still and him that is filthy be filthy still' Those that have the Token will caught away and the left behind are destined for judgement, including the foolish virgins, which are true virgins to Christ but with out the oil. At the time of the rapture the Spirit goes up with His own. From my phone.

Why would you say that discussion is meaningless if there is no personal growth? Really not sure what your point is...Hi by the way Thankyou and God bless My purpose was to try and lend support to the post in response to OneLights' critique. We discuss to meet an objective. If that personal objective is not met than 'our' efforts were in vain.

Discussion is meaningless if there is no personal growth. Spiritual growth requires scriptural instruction and rebuke. From my phone...

Is there a discussion somewhere in this that I fail to see? This is a discussion forum, not a platform to teach.

If you have an hour and a box of tissue you may enjoy this story.

Mat. 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Enter a great religious system/person that has the solution to end the socio religious woes and has a means to resolve the global economic crisis. Surely this is the answer in a desperate situation and the idea of potentially having peace and harmony finally presiding on earth, it must be a God sent. The technology is in place to have this globally administered so what else could we ask for? To pledge the allegiance as required and consent to the governance of those who will rule over us and thereby minister to our spiritual and natural needs we by default take on the mark of the beast. Doesn’t it sound reasonable?

God is life, perfect. Life and death (corruption) cannot dwell together, just as light and darkness can not coexist. We get sick and die because we are in a fallen condition, corruptible flesh. In the case where things happen such as leprosy God just has to withdraw his hand slightly, leprosy is from an evil spirit.

They rely on themselves and eachother for progress so they are in charge of development. Christians are developed by God so our part is self refection and since we haven't arrived yet there is always room for improvement.

Does Paul sum it up when he says 'death where is your sting'?

As I understand it. God being omniscient and omnipotent nothing is out of God's control, including Satan's behavior. Satan prowls within his guidelines but once the judgement takes place and the verdict is delivered then his destiny will be fulfilled as described in scripture. I had written a few lines, a little conjecture on Satan's fall that might stir the imagination. Imagine Lucifer before his fall, a mighty being full of wisdom and beauty. As his mind probes the vastness of God’s creation he comes upon an awe striking phenomena, an inspiring avenue in the folds of creation. He discovers that there are laws of cause and effect and coupled close to that is the illuminant of reasoning, begging for exploitation. The realization that this avenue could be endless and that in it he could exercise his full potential he decides that this is just what a person of his stature ought to have. Transgression is not the objective ‘but look what he could become’. Opening the door just slightly to take a peek he sees that indeed he must have this. As he is drawn in, the realization strikes that in this position he must now lay hold of power for this is a one way track with no way back. As the implications and consequences of his actions become manifest so his countenance falls and the resulting demonic demeanour rises in its stead. In this irreconcilable doomed condition he hates the omniscient, omnipotent power that he stands against and in his unquenchable fury he is determined to destroy as much as he is able for he knows that his days are numbered. God bless I like the thought 'the eye has not see nor the mind conceived what God has laid up for them that love Him' The thought of unfolding glories that eternity can not exhaust - too much for me... :-)

These are some headlines from Worthy Features. Sudan uses Shari'a against its own Christians 'Burma Troops Kill, Rape Christian Civilians; Churches Burned' Pakistan Muslims Torch 100 Christian Homes; Dozens Injured Christian Persecution Rising in China How are these people identified as christians? Good Point LK.21:12 “But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.” Nowhere in the commission does it stress the need for an ID tag. St.John.10:3-5 “To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” This lack of allegiance is enough for a mark, or vice versa.

Could it be the flip side? Because by default we are all lost. Taking on the mark (be it with or without a physical manifestation) would seal the person off from receiving Christ's atonement. When the Pharisees and Sadducee observed Jesus Christ doing works they called it of the devil. Jesus said he could forgive them for that but when the Holy Ghost came and did the same things and they called that the works of the devil they would be permanently sealed off - 'blasphemy of the Holy Ghost' - the unforgivable sin.