Michael (limmuwd)

6 minutes ago, Omegaman 3.0 said:

Rapture

The event we call the rapture, is from 1st Thessalonians, chapter 4, quoted from the New International Version of the Bible below:

15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

The words “caught up”  there, is the Greek word  harpagesometha, in that exact form, it occurs only in this one verse, and it means “to be caught away”. Now, the NIV translators say “will be caught up”. They are getting the direction (up) from the fact that the living Christians will be caught away to be with the Lord in the clouds in the air. So how does this become the English word “Rapture”?  

The word “rapture” comes to us from Latin. In the Latin Vulgate version of the Bible:

Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be taken up together with them in the clouds to meet Christ, into the air: and so shall we be always with the Lord.

“shall be taken up”, is the word rapiemur

The word has the connotation of being snatched away forcefully, we get out English word “rape” from this, now this snatching away is a good thing though, not a violent, unwanted act.

So now you know why we have the word rapture, to describe the event, even though it is no in our English Bibles. By the way, even though this word is only used once, the event itself is described and alluded to, in many places in the Bible, some of which we will see later.

Just a copy paste from something I was writing earlier today, for what it is worth.

Thanks. I am very familiar with where the word 'rapture' comes from. Rather it's the usage of the word that is greatly misunderstood today.

As I stated earlier... from my time in the written Word and seeking the Living Word, I am absolutely convinced that 1Thess 4 and the other 'rapture' verses are speaking of the First Resurrection of the overcoming Elect of God, which as Jesus clearly stated, takes place AFTER the Great Distress or Tribulation. The bodies of these alone (at this time) will rise from the graves and be clothed with their "tent', their spiritual, incorruptible, immortal body that they have been forming in heaven by their obedience to Christ here on earth; and they will rise - not to heaven as is commonly believed - but into the air to meet the Lord. Why the air? Because that is when the spiritual enemies of the Lord now reside. Those "principalities & rulers of darkness in the heavenlies" led by the "prince of the power of the air."  Here the now glorified, immortal Elect will dethrone those usurpers and take their place of rulership. Evil will be driven from the earth. Antichrist, and the false prophet are thrown into the Lake of Fire, and the devil into the pit for a time. Now Messiah (Head & Body) will rule from Jerusalem over the nations of the earth for a season. "And then the end shall some." 

This is an extremely brief and summarized version of what will take place. But the bottom line is... The First Resurrection saints must be proven through the sufferings, temptations and tribulations of this life. For God to secretly send Jesus to come 'steal away' church-goers so satan can't harm them is not only completely unscriptural, but would defeat the very plan and purpose of God. 

I find myself saying this more & more these days... We are truly in great need of a Back-to-the-Bible Revival in our churches. 

Peace to you brother!

Amen. Indeed we are in a race. 

"Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne." - Heb 12:1-2

May we not get distracted, caught off guard, or weighed down with the cares of the life and, as sadly many of those saved for Egypt, fail to obtain the prize given to those who are diligent and obedient and compete by the rules. 

"Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. 25 Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown that will fade away, but we a crown that will never fade away. 26 Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. 27 Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified." - 1Cor 9:24-27

Peace & Blessings to all as you "fight the good fight of faith." May we each "finish our race well." 

Personally, the word "rapture" is greatly misunderstood today, and a great many myths, fables and wishful thinking is conjured up when the word is mentioned. 

But from my time in the written Word and seeking the Living Word, I am absolutely convinced that 1Thess 4 and the other 'rapture' verses are speaking of the First Resurrection of the overcoming Elect of God, which as Jesus clearly stated, takes place AFTER the Great Distress or Tribulation. The bodies of these alone (at this time) will rise from the graves and be clothed with their "tent', their spiritual, incorruptible, immortal body that they have been forming in heaven by their obedience to Christ here on earth; and they will rise - not to heaven as is commonly believed - but into the air to meet the Lord. Why the air? Because that is when the spiritual enemies of the Lord now reside. Those "principalities & rulers of darkness in the heavenlies" led by the "prince of the power of the air."  Here the now glorified, immortal Elect will dethrone those usurpers and take their place of rulership. Evil will be driven from the earth. Antichrist, and the false prophet are thrown into the Lake of Fire, and the devil into the pit for a time. Now Messiah (Head & Body) will rule from Jerusalem over the nations of the earth for a season. "And then the end shall some." 

This is an extremely brief and summarized version of what will take place. But the bottom line is... The First Resurrection saints must be proven through the sufferings, temptations and tribulations of this life. For God to secretly send Jesus to come 'steal away' church-goers so satan can't harm them is not only completely unscriptural, but would defeat the very plan and purpose of God. 

I find myself saying this more & more these days... We are truly in great need of a Back-to-the-Bible Revival in our churches. 

Peace & Blessings to all who walk with Jesus,
Michael 

On 5/7/2019 at 5:05 PM, Leyla said:

Hello, what would it take for you to leave your religion? What kind of evidence or other things do you need for that?

The man-made "Christian" religion I can take or leave. But my faith in God and in Messiah Jesus is unshakable. 

I've lived long enough and experienced too much to even question of lose my faith & hope in God. 

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
- James 1:3-4

Remember the faith of our father Abraham; may his patience be an encouragement to us all - 

"For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise." 
- Heb 6:13-15

10 minutes ago, ayin jade said:

No one of any of us is worthy.

 

Chapter & Verse? 

If you're talking about "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?”, then none but Jesus. But if we talk of inheriting the promises of God, then only those who indeed prove themselves worthy will "walk with Him in white" and become the dwelling place of God. For the "righteous deeds" of these are what clothe them in "fine linen, clean and bright" (Rev 19:8). Note, this is not "salvation" the Scripture speaks of here, but of those who will obtain the promises of Revelation 2 & 3. 

God's wisdom & understanding to us all. 

Very good question! 

Let me share a couple thoughts, as I've done a bit of study and writing on this...

Dominion over God’s creation, rulership of the earth was given to man way back in Genesis Chapter 1:28. As we shall discover, God created the physical realm to even have dominion over the spiritual as well.

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
4 What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
5 For You have made him a little lower than God,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet."
- Psalm 8:3-6 NKJV Heb

The first Adam fell, and forfeited this inheritance, yet the promise of God remained: to grant man rulership over creation. Through Abraham, Israel, man continued to fall short and prove unworthy. 

Enter the Man Jesus - 

He had to be like us, born of a woman, a flesh and blood man, to be eligible to be our Redeemer, our King. He had to become flesh in order to conquer the spiritual enemies of God and His creation. Jesus greatly emphasized His humanity in His teaching, always referring to Himself as the “Son of Man.” Jesus rose and emerged from the grave as a physical Man (Luke 24:36-43). He ascended as a physical Man (Acts 1:4-11). And He is coming again to set up the Kingdom of God on the earth as a physical Man (Matt 24:29-31).

“Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, He also Himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death He might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.”
– Heb 2:14 WEB

“He was manifested physically and proved righteous spiritually.”
- 1Tim 3:16 CJB

This is an excerpt from an essay I did a couple years ago on The Greatest Gift (Man's Inheritance of Creation) Below is a pdf of the article if any are interested. 

Truly God's great plan & purpose are incredible. And because of Jesus, the Man who now sits at the right hand of the Father in Heaven, God's desire to have man inherit and rule over creation is going to happen. Oh Glory! I look forward to that Day!

9 hours ago, Debp said:

Naomi, there is nothing wrong with pressing on to knowing Christ more (sanctification/walking with Christ).   However, there are some here that are teaching that works alongside of Christ save, and that one can lose salvation when one sins..    That teaching is what Sonshine was warning you about.

 

Works do NOT save. Other than Repentance & Baptism as Jesus taught, there is nothing more we can do to be saved. Yet this 'being saved" is not the end, but the beginning of our journey toward the promises of God, an inheritance. And as Paul taught clearly in 1Cor 10, God must prove us along the Way if we are to enter into His rest. 

Much in the modern Christian religion seems to teach that "being saved" means that's it, you've now an assurance of going to Heaven when you die. Yet this is not a Bible doctrine. The entirety of the New Testament epistles are clear warnings to saved people to not fall short of God's promises, as did the bulk of God's chosen & saved people in the wilderness. 

"Being saved" is an opportunity, not the end. Understanding that simple Truth makes Paul's declaration completely understandable. Obviously "saved", having repented & been baptized, Paul know that he still had a long way to go of he was to obtain the promises of God. 

"I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you."
- Phil 3:8-14

Amen. May we follow Paul as he followed Christ, and press in diligently that we do not miss out on the promises of God to the overcomer, to "he that endures til the end." 

30 minutes ago, R. Hartono said:

If that bread is the bread of Life which means our faith in Christ then Jesus didnt have to ask "give us this day our daily bread", would God need to give you faith every other day ?

 

Yes, we must walk daily by faith. I believe all here could testify of times they needed more faith to endure the trials and testing of this life. Faith is not a one time event. Even the Apostles who walked with Jesus daily, with Him visibly by their side, said to Him - "increase our faith." (Luke 17:5). And another fellow once told Jesus, "I believe, Lord, now help my unbelief." 

Oh yes, I fully believe Messiah Jesus was speaking of our spiritual Bread, which we need daily. 

"Sufficient for the day is the troubles thereof." 

Truthfully, our Lord is speaking not of physical food, but of spiritual sustenance.

"I Am the bread of Life... 50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” - John 6:48,50-51

He is to be our daily Bread, our portion. 

5 hours ago, diane32 said:

Abraham showed God that He believed Him by His actions as well

Amen!

"Faith without works is dead." Our behavior, what we do, is the only evidence that we actually do believe. 

A good verse here to remember... The promise of God was only passed on to his son, God says, "because Abraham listened to My voice and kept My mandate, My commands, My statutes, and My instructions.” (Gen 26:5)

If Abraham had only "believed" and not obeyed the charge of God, God would have looked for another through whom to bless the nations and establish the lineage of the Messiah. 

"Give us this day our daily Bread."

May our main concern be... have we partaken of the Bread of Life today? Is He our daily portion and sustenance?

"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him." - John 6:56

4 hours ago, Pekoudah said:

We know that God is merciful. He will pardon a murderer. But if that person calculates that since God is willing to forgive 70 times 7 then one can potentially kill another 489 people without danger of  retribution or punishment. This is how we tend to "legalize" mercy or forgiveness. Of course there are they that believe that God's mercy is unlimited...as in...I can kill all the people in the world...and yet God will forgive me for it.

So we can become legalistic in our understanding of mercy and grace. We can turn God into an object that serves us...and more so than even as we do to fellow mortals. We often think nothing of treating God far worse than we would a friend. Do we slap a Christian friend to watch him turn the other cheek? Can we use God as a dumping ground for our sins? To do this is to take on something evil...an unworthy attitude. Before we were forgiven by God we were all sinners....but to take on this new hypocrisy and iniquity of an easy attitude towards sin in the face of God's goodness by calculating JUST HOW forgiven we really are...makes us unworthy of His forgiveness. Redemption puts us in a new position...but not the position that many think. We are meant to change our attitude...not exploit God's willingness to forgive further sins. Grace makes us MORE responsible for sin not less. To whom much is given, more is required.

 

Amen. Well said. So many fail to realize that God's love is absolutely conditional once we begin our journey, our discipleship with Jesus. We cannot take His mercy & grace for granted.

I was recently attracted to this website "Worthy Christians" in the first place, because that concept is so misunderstood in the majority of today's teachings, and especially the songs on "Christian" radio. I've written often on the need for followers of Jesus to be proven worthy if they are to inherit the promises of God. A great many of folks were "saved" from bondage in Egypt; they were baptized, partook of Christ and followed the Spirit (as Paul explains clearly in 1Cor 10), yet only TWO men were found worthy enough to enter the Promised Land. Did God fail to keep His promise? No, the bulk of those in the wilderness took His promise for granted, and refused to do things His way. Their disobedience separated them from God. His love and mercy did not override their disobedience, and they proved themselves unworthy. 

I've done a bit of sharing on this. Tried to post a video on the site, but at nearly an hour, I guess it was too long for this site. Entitled "WORTHY" I look into the many Bible passages and the teaching's of Jesus & the Apostles on the necessity of the saints overcoming and being proven worthy if they are to inherit the promises of God and enter into His rest. I have the video "WORTHY" on my website - To Him Who Overcomes/Videos and on Youtube as well - Kingdom of God video teachings, for any who might be interested. 

Personally, I cannot settle for a lesser Gospel than what the NT declares. God's plan & purpose is infinitely more than the bulk of the Christian religion has known. But Praise God, He is unveiling that plan in the present hour! May we be among those with "ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches." 

Amen.  

20 minutes ago, Debp said:

Jim Carrey did a painting portraying a baby being aborted....he put the face of Alabama's governor on it and made a snide remark.   However, it has backfired on him as his painting shows the horrible way of abortion.  

Just another sad individual who sold his soul for temporal "fame & fortune."

A Proverb comes to mind - 

“The Lord hates six things;
in fact, seven are detestable to Him:
¹⁷ arrogant eyes, a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
¹⁸ a heart that plots wicked schemes,
feet eager to run to evil,
¹⁹ a lying witness who gives false testimony,
and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.”
- Prov 6:16-19

Sounds a lot like the spirits that drive Hollywood. 

God's Judgment is coming to this nation (& the world) for the shed blood of the innocents. 

Love this song! Got a few of Don's albums. Always a pleasure to listen to.

On 2/8/2019 at 1:39 AM, ladypeartree said:

Just been reading about a man in India ( well off as both parents are lawyers ) who is trying to sue his parents for not asking his permission to " create " him before he was born ..maybe he should move to America and ask if he could have been aborted at birth !!!!!!   Soooo much insanity in this world   

 

Mumbai business executive Raphael Samuel argues that creating people without their consent is wrong.

Wow! 

"Stay away from a foolish man;
you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

8 The sensible man’s wisdom is to consider his way,
but the stupidity of fools deceives them."
- Prov 14 7-8

 

“let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil 1:27)

One of the things that grieves my heart, and I believe the heart of our Lord Jesus too, is that seldom from the pulpits do we hear the “whole counsel of God” anymore. Man made traditions have replaced the call and charge of God to the saints.

I’ve too often heard that ‘we are worthy because He is worthy.’ That may sound good and pleasing to the ear and our carnal nature… but what does the Scripture say?
In fact, what did Jesus say?

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.³⁸ And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. ³⁹ He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.”
- Matt 10:37-39

Must we be proven “worthy” of Jesus by what we do? Must we actually “deny ourselves, pick up our cross daily and follow Him” as He said?
Concerning the Kingdom age, Jesus speaks of “those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead.” (Luke 20:35) Do we really need to be found “worthy” to be raised to the “better resurrection”? Yes.

The Apostle Paul prayed for the saints “that our God will consider you worthy of His calling.” (2Thess 1:11). He exhorted the church “to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Eph 4:1), and “charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, ¹² that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own Kingdom and glory.” (1Thess 2:11-12). This does not come by an ‘association with Christ’, but by what we actually do; our behavior, our choices, our deeds.

Again, Paul prayed, exhorting those called by God, “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col 1:10)

The Lord Jesus, Himself, warns the churches (which includes us) in the Revelation -
“Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. ⁴ You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. ⁵ He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”
- Rev 3:3-5

Notice who are the ones who “walk with Him in white”: those who had overcome and been found worthy, because they had not defiled their garments. In Truth these were faithful to Him, and proved themselves by their righteous deeds. Oh, I know I’m stepping on some theological toes here… Actually the Angel of God does -

“Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and His Bride has made herself ready;
⁸ it was granted her to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure”—
for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.”
- Rev 19:7-8

As throughout the Bible, there is a Kingdom principle of sowing & reaping, even more so with those in the church. What we do determines our destiny. Those who sow to the flesh, even though they were saved and possibly even chosen, will not be among those who “appear with Him” when He returns. Again, as the Word declares, when the Lamb, the Lord of lords and King of kings overcomes the beast, “those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (Rev 17:14)

Amen.

Friends, fellow disciples, I do not share this to frighten you, or to belittle your beliefs; but to bring to light what the Word actually says. I’ve read through this thread and seen very little references to Scripture. I know there is a lot of Christianese sayings out there, and I’ve heard plenty over the years, but scarce few are in the Bible. We need to know what God has said. For there is only One Truth, and His Name is Jesus. If we are to believe on Him, we must believe everything He taught as well; otherwise we do not really believe.

God’s wisdom and understanding to us all.

May we be counted among those who are walking worthy today.
Peace & Blessings,
Michael

There are so many distractions today, and increasing as the Day draws nigh. I believe this is why the writer of Hebrews warns the saints - 

"let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." - Heb 10:24-25

And again...

"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end." - Heb 3:12-14

May you find good fellowship with those like-minded and be blessed.

22 minutes ago, Pekoudah said:

Amen brother. Not too many realize this. We are to strive for a better resurrection...which is the first one.  The resurrection of the saints. Holiness is required...those who have their works unto teleos...perfection.

 

In Mat 25 (sheep goats GWT) the people will be judged on how they treated the saints...on 2 levels. The world will be judged for how they treated the saints AND the church goers who were not holy. If believers acted against the saints they will go into outer darkness (shame).

If they were not believers but despised the brethren of the Lord...they are cast into the lake of fire. That is why it says the ambiguous.. "to everlasting punishment"...and not either the lake of fire or outer darkness.

So then the righteous of the saved nations are all together since God does not judge us by our beliefs but by our works.

Those who fear His name and do what is right are accepted of Him...in all nations.

Acts 10:35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Not that they walked in a manner so as to please God...that takes faith! The faith OF Christ that leads to a walk in teleos....the perfection of Christ which is by grace through faith. The gift of His perfect walk by the Spirit.
 

 

Man, I love the confirmation I receive on things I believe that so many others do not see. You are correct. The parable of the Sheep & Goats, as well as the Ten Virgins and many other of Jesus' parables just don't fit our modern doctrines today. Then again, Jesus did say that most wouldn't understand, but the meaning would be given to those who truly followed Him. I've heard to said that Jesus taught in parable stories so people would remember them. But what did Jesus actually say - 

"To you (His closest disciples) it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, 12 so that
‘Seeing they may see and not perceive,
And hearing they may hear and not understand;
Lest they should turn,
And their sins be forgiven them.’ ”
- Mark 4:11-12

Now THAT just does not fit into our current evangelical churches AT ALL! Yet it is what the Lord said more than once. 

I have done several video teachings on Jesus' Parables, and I pray that I have the "mind of Christ" as I share. Wish I could share them on this site but they like to keep video's short, and I usually average 40 minutes or so. But I've posted them on my website, and on Youtube as well, (Kingdom of God videos) for any who might be interested. 

Continued Blessings, Wisdom and Understanding to you, brother, and all who partake of Christ daily. 

6 hours ago, Betha said:

It would seem to me that the 'high calling' which demands a sacrificed life is to those whom GOD predestinates, elects and calls.....not to just anyone YET. Did not Yashua say HE chose the Disciples, they did not choose Him ? Why is that ? Because HE is looking for a certain trait/quality in a person who has stamina and also an obedient humble heart that will without argument ACCEPT HIS instructions.

I'm only guessing here, but maybe God is at first only dealing with such as will be in the 1st Resurrection and are having the hardest time in overcoming while satan and his demons are still very active in this world. 

 

AMEN! Very well put. You are exactly right. Most of what has been taking place in the earth for the past 200 years, is for the perfecting of the Elect of God, those He "predestined to be conformed into the image of His Son", the "brothers of Christ." This is NOT all church-goers but a remnant that Christ CHOSE. Yes, He called many, but CHOSE only a few then, just as He is doing today. Then those who were called and chosen must remain "faithful" if they are to "walk with Him in white" for these are "worthy." 

"He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
- Rev 17:"14

"They shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy."
- Rev 3:4

These are the "saviors" of Obadiah 1:21, the "sons of God" whom creation has been groaning for (Rom 8:19), those who will inherit the nations and minister healing and Life to them in Eternity when New Jerusalem is established on the earth. (Luke 19:17, Rom 8:16-17, Rev 22:2)
THESE are the First Resurrection saints, who 'overcame" and will "inherit all things." THIS is what 1Thess 4 is speaking of: a coming of the saints to receive their bodies, dethrone the principalities and rulers of darkness "in the air" and as Christ's "suitable helper" establish His rule upon the earth. And the rest of mankind, including the bulk of church-goers, will be raised at the Second Resurrection and be judged by Christ & His Elect (The Sheep & Goats parable Truth)

Oh, I get excited when I find others who have even similar understanding about things Eternal! 

Blessings to you as you walk with Jesus,
Michael

6 hours ago, SkyWriting said:

This explains why God's law in writing, is obsolete.

Hebrews 8:13 
In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

2 Corinthians 5:17   
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Amen. The ordinances and regulations are indeed obsolete. But His Eternal Moral Law is just that: Eternal. And truly if we are IN Christ, then we ARE the New Covenant, in which God's Eternal Law is written. The Elect of God will BE His Law to the saved nations of the earth. 

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them."
- Jer 31:33, Heb 8:10, Heb 10:16

On 4/22/2019 at 11:28 AM, douge said:

God will shorten the tribulation for the elect's sake, Israel. The body of Christ is also called the elect but could not be in view in Mark 13:20 because it had not yet been revealed to Paul.

　

We must be very careful not to place Paul at a higher place than Jesus, or even the rest of the Apostles.

From the bulk of Scripture, we see that the Elect are those whom God has called and predestined from the foundation of the world to be "conformed into the image of His Son, the Firstborn of many brothers." In Isaiah 42:1, the word Elect in the Hebrew is plural. This includes Jew & Gentile alike whom God foreknew. This is the One Church. Yet even in this election, we must prove worthy if we are to attain to that which "Christ Jesus has laid hold of" us. 

An abhorrent, despised and rejected Truth in the churches today is that there are ranks in God's Kingdom. All are not given an equal amount of "talents" by which God will judge them. Some are called to teach, others to preach, still others to the apostleship.We cannot compare ourselves to another, or shun the gifts of those we do not understand. If each of us are faithful in the calling and gifting entrusted to us, and bear Eternal fruit in them, God will be pleased. 

On 2/6/2019 at 7:40 PM, frienduff thaylorde said:

God judges those outside the church .  BUT WE JUDGE those inside .    SO LET ALL WHO NAME THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST depart from supporting murder .

Or be prepared to feel the rod of correction .    Wouldn't we rather just have joy of the LORD .   but if correction is necessary ,  ITS NECESSARY .

We running out of time folks ,  we better build one another up In TRUTH or be prepared to be totally deceived . 

Amen. So few understand "judging" properly. I wonder how many know the that the saints who overcome will judge not only men, but angels as well, in that Day. The Church (the Elect) are called to judge, beginning with their own lives.  I began a blog on this a few years ago... Judge with Righteous Judgment, it's getting time to revive it. For God's judgment is truly coming soon because of the shed blood of the innocents. 

"The Gospel of John" is one of mine & my wife's favorites! It made more real who Jesus was addressing as He spoke. 

"Do You Believe" and "War Room" are  two other powerful recent films.

Been reading through "Life in the Wilderness" by Charles A. Haun.

and also...

"The Pattern Son" by Bill Britton

Both excellent reads from men who knew God.