Alive

We who are in Christ sojourn on this earth and are subject to many things both in the world and within our own flesh and minds. I offer two analogies that have been helpful to myself during my walk and I hope and pray may be of help to others of my family in Christ. I think in terms of two analogies, neither of which are perfect, but have been of some help to me over the years. 1. A tree 2. The land When God made us Alive 'In Christ' the source of our life changed from the earthly to the heavenly. He essentially and in a very real way severed us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into His Kingdom. We being like a tree have been uprooted and turned upside down with our roots now in the heavens where we draw all of our strength and blessings. However, the branches are still in this earthly realm and subject to much of what this realm exudes. Our branches are always catching flying things that wish to land there and affect our thinking and yank on our flesh. We have this Treasure in earthen vessels. Through His word (scriptures) rhema and our brethren, we learn to shew away those birds. God will touch something in us and we respond with a "yes Lord", thus agreeing with Him and through this ongoing process are 'changed into His likeness'. 2Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled faces, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, just as from the Lord, who is the Spirit. This is all the Lord's doing. It is only because of 'New Life' that we are able to say 'Yes Lord'. The other is the 'Land' and I will attempt to connect this aspect of our ongoing sanctification. When the Israelites were entering the Land as the Lord had ordained and commanded the inhabitants were driven out or not, the Lord was establishing His Kingdom on earth. A place set aside for His purpose and for our learning. I see the Land as a metaphor for our ongoing sanctification. When He touches something in us that is not of Him, and we say 'yes Lord' and thus give our loyalty to Him rather than the flesh and the earth, He reigns there. His Kingdom is in a very real way established in us. Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. It is needful and healthy to remember that it is all His Working in us. Jesus said, "you can do nothing without me". "No thing". Not some things, or things of a category or another! No thing. This is the sense and realization as He works in us; to know deep within our being that we need Him to walk, talk, breathe and think. Thus we grow toward that place where He is Lord. We decrease as He increases. Our roots are 'In Him'.

@Debp there is your answer. Thanks @other one

My point is that you added something not there--overlying your eschatology to that scripture.

Forever does not equal a millennia.

Eggzactly! My Accordance software makes this easy by setting up various interlinears that translate for you.

Nice! Same as phone booths. Economics and damage done made it unsustainable.

There are these scriptures as well as others that are crystal clear. Psalms 95:7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you would hear His voice, John 10:3 “To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. 4 “When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know ahis voice. John 10:16 “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they shall hear My voice; and they shall become one flock with one shepherd.

I suspect it was economics and theft and damage done over time. We don't see many mailboxes on street corners much anymore either.

One good measure of assurance is a changed life. When we are born again, the HOLY SPIRIT begins a work in each of us shining a light on the sin previously lived in. We recognize sin for what it is and turn from it in repentance. This is what repentance is---turning away from. At the same time we learn that Christ is truly Lord and Savior and learn to seek Him for Help each day. He said, "without me, you can do nothing". Confess your inability to Him and seek Him for Grace to Help in time of need.

I agree with this. Our work is most likely to be within Creation in some manner as discussed earlier. Again, much is more guesswork or the wonderful imagination we have. This is where all of the varied constructs come from that try to explain what we don't know--between the lines. I caution...not being so sure of our chosen constructs that we stop listening.

If you read the Worthy statement of faith, you find that we believe the scriptures to be inerrant.

You are a busy person.

Thanks for your response and the scripture references.

I agree with much of this, as I understand some of what scripture teaches. At one time, for years I believed somehow naturally born man would live and continue to reproduce but never die..I reasoned to increasingly fill an empty universe and that we ‘In Christ” with resurrection bodies would have much work to do managing and expressing Christ to them. Our God is a worker and we will be fellow workers with him. Such was my thinking. I have since been unable to reconcile some things in that scenario with some points of scripture. There remain ‘apparent’ contradictions, which are actually IMO likely intended by God. I have said it before and repeat here. I do not believe anyone alive today understand Revelation fully, but the original hearers did..as the Lord provided anointed ones to explain it. I remain unsure but steadfast in the assurance of His Return and the Resurrection and that we will be co-workers for eternity both in heaven and on earth and beyond. Even that simple language cannot be fathomed. “But, as it is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has the mind of man imagined, the things that God has prepared for those who love him.”” (1 Corinthians 2:9 MOUNCE-NT) https://accordance.bible/link/read/MOUNCE-NT#1Cor._2:9

Your second comment is only partially true. The Word of God is Perfect, but our interpretation often is not.

Thanks for the chuckle.

Consider for a moment what Peter’s exhortation here is…that considering His Return we ought to seek godliness and he here uses symbolism much used in scripture and that rather earth will be purged and renovated from the damage of sin. Romans 8:21. There are clear declarations regarding the eternal nature of earth and His People…all through scripture.

I have a couple of thoughts they may be of help to someone. 1. Big picture: the Holy Spirit has two basic function for His People. To convict of sin and to point to Christ. Its helpful to keep this in mind as its a practical and very real way to “test the spirits”. 2. This is more personal and something the Lord used to drive home a principle. When still a young pastor one day I was in prayer and essentially asking the Lord to know His voice so I could be effectual in His service. In that moment, He showed me how it is like when tuning my guitar when two strings sound the same note..they are synced. He did this as an example of how the Spirit of Christ within me is the same as the Holy Spirit or the Lord’s voice so when He speaks they are in sync. There is a sense of harmony in Spirit. This principle was applicable to discerning when something is not of God…but that was another lesson. “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:14 NKJV)

I will give this more consideration at a later time, as I am occupied. Thank you.

Do you see naturally living humans living on earth but never dying?

Yup. And who believes Hamas news?

And what is the ratio of truth to falsity available digitally in the open system.

This is and excellent book and I encourage all christians to read it. https://www.christianbook.com/the-torch-of-the-testimony/john-kennedy/9780940232129/pd/232123?en=google&event=SHOP&kw=ingram-0-20|232123&p=1179710&utm_source=google&p=1229912&dv=c&cb_src=google&cb_typ=shopping&cb_cmp=1082047678&cb_adg=175624485249&cb_kyw=&utm_medium=shopping&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1082047678&gbraid=0AAAAAD_dTHbchnbxyS5Rq6L83zUc7-8Yn&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_8rBBhCFARIsAJrc9yBrekLXoPyc0GJZdnQOpFkn4hSKFryT2JYYXTZ83mLbKzwrRM9ABOMaAgOoEALw_wcB

Were they numbered at 25 ot 70?