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Michael37

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Everything posted by Michael37

  1. Hebrews 12:1: Hebrews 12:1 mentions a metaphorical cloud of witnesses surrounding us. This as a reference to departed saints who serve as examples to motivate us, and witnesses in our spirit to affirm us in our faith journey. This verse gets misinterpreted to imply constant surveillance or observation by departed saints of earthly events.
  2. Yes, poetic license allows us to use terms metaphorically. In this case Paul is illustrating how it is possible to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ with trite and fanciful principles, programs, and projects of no eternal value, which disposable things will qualify as a loss to those responsible for them, and how things that are worth keeping and things that are theologically solid will endure, being of eternal value. Scope of Metaphor: 1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. The fact that all the physical elements of the world dissolve is not the main scope of the metaphor, but rather that heed should be taken to build with things that endure beyond the temporal realm. 2Pe 3:11-13 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, (12) looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? (13) Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
  3. Someone's mixing contexts. Moses isn't metaphorical in the Tabernacle.
  4. And then there are mushroom clouds . . . , if you get my drift.
  5. I do use the Amplified Bible when necessary. . .
  6. Let's dispense with the tautology and say that OT prophecies foretold the future. The reason they do this is because God calls them to their ministry, and gifts them with their message. 1Pe 1:10-12 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, (11) searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. (12) To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into. 2Pe 1:19-21 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; (20) knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, (21) for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. Admittedly there is a close association and shared usage of the terms prophecy and prediction, both in secular and ecclesiastical narratives, but a more accurate Biblical Theology doesn't confine prophecy to prediction.
  7. Yes, that's obedience to the Holy Spirit. There have been a few times when the Holy Spirit has spoken to me but the noise and business of the day have seemed more important, and then something has happened and I have wished I had paid attention to the Holy Spirit. This has led me to ask the Holy Spirit to speak louder to get my undivided attention if I'm not picking up.
  8. Can you provide facts to substantiate that claim. In all my years, 7 decades, prophecy has not been a synonym for prediction. There has been enough said on Worthy already about that misconception.
  9. Hi @Johnmodra English may not be your first language so you should correct this sub-heading on your YouTube video also as it actually means that No Attention should be paid to the warnings. 3 Biblical Warnings To Heed is what you mean.
  10. A number of times I have been warned by the Holy Spirit of "rough passage" ahead and my first thought has been that I should take a detour and not show up at the time and place proposed, but the Holy Spirit has prompted me to stay the course, so I have done that and Yes, rough passage endured by the grace of God with Psalm 23 in mind.
  11. The answer is here: 1Co 14:1-3 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. (2) For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. (3) But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
  12. In the book of Acts, there are references to living prophets who played significant roles in the early Christian community. Let’s explore a couple of them: Agabus: Agabus appears twice in the book of Acts. In Acts 11:27-28, he prophesied about an upcoming famine, warning the believers in Antioch. By the Spirit’s enabling, Agabus foretold that there would be a great famine throughout the world, which indeed happened during the days of Claudius Caesar. As a result, the Antioch believers sent relief to their brethren in Judea. In Acts 21:10-11, Agabus prophesied about the terrible things that would happen to the apostle Paul if he proceeded to Jerusalem. Despite this warning, Paul remained steadfast in his commitment to the Lord Jesus. Agabus’ appearances highlight how the Holy Spirit reveals the future to prophets and how believers respond to His messages1. Other Prophets: Acts 13:1 mentions prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch. Among them were Barnabas, Simeon (also known as “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), and Manaen (a childhood companion of King Herod Antipas). These prophets played essential roles in the early Christian community, testifying to the work of the Holy Spirit and bearing witness to Christ and God’s salvation through Him2. These references demonstrate the Holy Spirit’s active role in guiding and equipping the early believers through prophets. Their prophecies helped shape the course of events and fostered unity among the followers of Jesus. If you have any more questions or need further information, feel free to ask! 😊[Copilot] In the book of Acts, we encounter Philip, one of the early Christian leaders. Philip had settled in Caesarea for about twenty years, and during this time, he had four daughters. Luke, the author of Acts, describes these young women simply as “four virgin daughters who prophesied” (Acts 21:9). Let’s explore why these details are significant: Prophetic Ministry: The fact that Philip’s daughters were prophetesses highlights the active role of spiritual gifts, including prophecy, within the local church. These women delivered messages inspired by God, even though their prophecies did not become part of the New Testament canon1. Devotion to the Lord: Some scholars suggest that these daughters may have chosen to remain unmarried in order to be fully devoted to the Lord and ministry. The apostle Paul also encouraged singleness for those who could handle it, emphasizing that unmarried individuals could focus more on serving God without the responsibilities of family life (1 Corinthians 7:8, 34)2. Living with Philip: Their single status explains why they were still living with their father, Philip, instead of with their husbands. In those days, it was common for children to continue living with their parents until they married or established their own households1. Luke’s Detailed Reporting: Luke provides detailed accounts of the sea journey to Caesarea, emphasizing the events at the end of the journey. He even includes himself in the narrative by using the pronoun “we,” suggesting that he was one of the passengers1. In summary, Philip’s daughters serve as a reminder of the diverse roles and gifts within the early Christian community. Their prophetic ministry and commitment to the Lord demonstrate the vibrant spiritual life of the early believers. If you have any more questions or need further information, feel free to ask! 😊34 [Copilot]
  13. That's why we surrender our will to God, as our Lord Jesus did in Gethsemane. Php 2:13 CEV God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him.
  14. Your thoughts are an excellent commentary on this verse: Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
  15. Sometimes I listen to OPPs, which is shorthand for Other People's Problems, and often there is a complaint against God included in their commentaries. Even though the Bible does record complaints against God, these typically are resolved, and in the case of Habakkuk, replaced with triumphant praise and strong commendations of God for providing an upward escape from downward experiences.
  16. There is an interesting dynamic in the Book of Acts where Paul receives the prophecy of Agabus as confirmation he is going to Jerusalem, but others hearing it beg him not to go. Some interpretations of this have been weird, casting shade on Paul. Act 20:22-23 And now, behold, I am going bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall happen to me there, (23) except that the Holy Spirit witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. Act 21:10-16 And as we stayed more days, a certain prophet from Judea named Agabus came down. (11) And coming to us, and taking Paul's belt, and binding his hands and feet, he said, The Holy Spirit says these things: So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man whose belt this is, and will deliver him into the hands of the nations. (12) And when we heard these things, both we and those of the place begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. (13) Then Paul answered, What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. (14) And he not being persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. (15) And after those days, making ready, we went up to Jerusalem. (16) Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing Mnason, a certain Cypriot, an old disciple with whom we were to lodge.
  17. A few years ago as part of the journaling I sometimes do, I narrowed some historical and recent causes of trouble down to these three things: 1. Unrealistic expectations. 2. Unreasonable demands. 3. Unbearable burdens. The solutions to these are found in the Bible, particularly in the Psalms, the Beatitudes, and Paul's Epistles. There is a temptation to blame others for causing trouble and sorrow etc., but pondering my past and praying for guidance, I have realised that actually I have caused all three of those things in the list to occur at times. The Lord has called me to minister spiritual life and growth through various means, and for many years I have led and participated in groups and teams to that end, as well as ministering to employees with that in mind, and I now understand how unrealistic some of my expectations have been. So you do a lot of training, study a lot of courses, gain a fair bit of experience, and then make the mistake of thinking that doing the work of ministry should be plain sailing because you have such a passion for it and have an expectation that because the Lord has called you to it everything will go smoothly. When it doesn't the disappointment can stay with you for years, and the memory of difficult demands, and heavy burdens can lead to thoughts of "Where did I go wrong?" I've been greatly encouraged of late in the knowledge that rather than plain sailing and smooth running leading to spiritual growth, it is the disasters, disappointments, and difficulties that do. What's your story?
  18. What would be cause for paranoia is if people were being dissolved in an instant en masse as they walked down the street, or if some sort of gravity disruptor made parts of the earth and objects fly off into space, not just people.
  19. It stops the paranoia when trusted in as a super-prophecy for Christians.
  20. Gen 8:22 While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
  21. Who should prophesy, and who should judge their prophecy, that is the question.
  22. The phrase “cup of salvation” appears in Psalm 116:13 in the Bible. Let’s explore its meaning: In this verse, the psalmist declares, “I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.” The context of this statement is one of gratitude and praise. Here are some key points: Symbolic Reference: The “cup of salvation” is most likely a symbolic reference to the drink offering prescribed in Leviticus 23:13. During the yearly Feast of Firstfruits, the Israelites were instructed to offer a drink offering of about one quart of wine to God. This act expressed their gratitude for His salvation and continued provision in the Promised Land. The liquid offering was poured out on the altar, accompanied by other contributions from the land’s produce. Thanksgiving and Worship: The psalmist lifts up the “cup of salvation” as an act of worship and thanksgiving. It represents God’s good gifts to humans, emphasizing His grace and salvation. Just as the Israelites offered drink offerings, the psalmist acknowledges God’s saving work in their life and vows to keep promises to the Lord in the presence of all His people. Contrast with the “Cup of Wrath”: The concept of the “cup of salvation” contrasts with the “cup of wrath.” The latter represents God’s judgment of sin and His wrath reserved for the wicked. Jesus Christ, in His suffering and death on the cross, bore the weight of this cup of wrath (Matthew 26:39; Luke 22:42). The psalmist’s cup of salvation stands in opposition to this, signifying God’s mercy and deliverance. In summary, the “cup of salvation” symbolizes gratitude, worship, and acknowledgment of God’s saving grace. It reminds us of His abundant blessings and the contrast between His salvation and judgment. [Copilot Search]
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