Scott Free

To create, say a computer from scratch. You would not just squeeze sand together. You would go through a series of very complex steps. The same with creating a garden planet from only hydrogen as a starting material.

So, a handful of soil to God is exactly like us picking up dirt? Is the phrase "God breathed life into man," a literal, detailed description of what exactly transpired physiologically? Or is it something said simply so we can get our heads around it.

What do you mean by "truth"? The science of today will be as ridiculous tomorrow as Victorian science is to us today. The Bible glosses over the exact mechanics of creation. Much of it is speculation on our part, but the Ideal of God being the source of an orderly universe and Jesus' prophecies and fulfillment stand the test of time.

The Bible is intended to be theological messaging. Using the Bible as a source for empirical scientific research is misappropriating the purpose of God's written Word. It is like using a car to perform surgery because it drove them to the hospital.

In addition, this scripture was written during their captivity in Babylon in 585 B.C., about 46 years before Cyrus issued a proclamation granting their freedom in 539 B.C.. I have not seen any prophecy about 1948 Israel directly, apart from the assumption that they are a state in the end times. "The generation that will not pass away", in Matthew 24:34 could easily be about the audience to which He was addressing. A generation that has been immortalized by the New Testament.

Seems like the only way to really understand prophecy is to have a broad historical overview of the world, both ancient and modern times. Coupled with information that is kept up to date from many different cultures. Otherwise it is hit and miss random speculation that is out of touch with the real world.

"One person values one day over another, another values every day the same. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind." Romans 14:5. Seems like it is a personal preference we are free to explore if it suits us.

The gathering spoken of denotes a pilgrimage more than a resettlement. My point is that (Ezek 36:16-24) does not mention permanent resettlement. Jesus's death punctuated a prominent pilgrimage where all able bodied Jews across the known world where commanded to gather at the Temple for Sukkot, "...when I show Myself holy among you in their sight" Ezek 36:23. The festival foretells the messianic age when all nations offer homage to Jerusalem.

It is a concern that such displays will be seen as a substitute for real transformation of the inner-self. But, if someone is already renewed and simply wishes to display their faith for everyone to see, this hardly falls under the superficiality of legalism.

The Feast of Booths(Tabernacle) was one of the great annual pilgrimages. It was during this time Jesus was tried and executed. For more information see: "Jesus Fulfills the Feast of Booths" and "Sukkot and the Significance of Pilgrimage".

This is not an issue of faith unto salvation. They are people with their own needs and concerns growing up in a different environment than you. It is not good to dismiss the concerns of others with legalism or invalidate their personal experiences.

You are going to make me shed a tear.

It was a gut wrenching event. I can not imagine how Jesus must of felt in the face of such a humiliating rejection. The entire global Jewish community gathered together only to shout Him down flat from the high point of His ministry. God is humble.

Tattoos are acceptable under Christianity. That restriction was under Torah Law. If someone tries to say otherwise, how about the other 612 laws? Are they going to enforce those to? If so, they are no longer being saved by grace. That is a personal preference. Validation of a stranger should have no meaning to your personal business.

These scriptures do not say the Jews gathered to stay and live in Canaan. A great gathering took place in Jesus's time for the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, where the scattered Jews where brought together into the Lands of Israel to rejoice. We remember the event today as Palm Sunday. It is just as likely this is what those particular scriptures where referring to.

It is all subjective. Who can judge the standards of another. We can only speak of what is beholden to our own eyes. Modes of attractiveness always change with the times. To me a modest appearance with the inner-self spangled with jewelry makes my heart joyful to witness them.

I agree, I would be disheartened if my wife marred her beauty.

Because something is appointed or used by God, does not mean that thing is good. Everything has to lead to the accumulated fulfillment of His plan if they want to or not. Judas Iscariot is one example, Rome's persecution is another and the intense perversion and arrogance of the U.S. is as ungodly as you can get.

Random doodling is always a regrettable stain. If it represents an accomplishment or affiliation, that seems more inline with what tattoos were made for.

Yes, Heiser is big on word study resources. Elohim and it's use in the Bible is well known and nothing new. A nation's archetype is not governed by mankind, but are the corporeal presence or bodies of other worldly forces. Nations rise above and are suspended separately over the sea of humanity. Personal transformation is one thing, global cleansing is another.

Seems that the only real cure for antisemitism is a global mass extinction event. The majority of Earth's population will always side with the nations of the elohim over God's inheritance.

Yeah, I think psychiatrist are way too eager to give dangerous mind bending drugs to mild disorders that cause even more symptoms for them to label and treat. If I find something that is not industrial strength to self medicate a mild distress I will go for it.

John 3:16, the most beautiful thought ever written. How could she regret that kind of tattoo? A dim reflection of the real tattoo that adorns her inner self.

Tattoos are an important identity signifier. They are a member of the Jesus Gang? why not, who am I to judge. I would rather speak through demonstration. People who rely too much on words are not threatening, just annoying.

The Bible is not an encyclopedia answer book. Many prophecies are really just the introduction of a theme that must be further explored by real world events as they unfold. look how little the Jews gathered about the role of Jesus Christ from the 300 prophecies concerning Him. "Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture!" I Corinthians 13:9. "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Daniel 12:4