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When a church is run as an organizational system, it can demonstrate mechanical qualities that tend to quash the relationships we need to grow in Christ. When denominational distinctives dominate, the carnality Paul wrote the Corinthians about surfaces. Sometimes churches can be hindrances. It can be useful to cultivate Christian relationships outside of church as well. A common story used by pastors to illustrate the importance of church is cited about a pastor who visited a man who had been absent from church for a while. The two were sitting in front of a fire and the pastor used a iron to pull an ember out and the ember started to die out. The man told the pastor he got the point. I told the pastor who shared it with me, what happens when you are the ember and the fire is out.

I would suggest that God is less variable than we are. Our emotional reactions can vary considerably and may not have any bearing on God's closeness or distance. For those who make determinations that God controls every aspect of their life, there can be periods that seem void of direct interventions. This may not be God's absences, but an indication they we were mistaken about his previous direct control. We know from the bible that God desires all to come to a knowledge of the truth. However, seeing every aspect of our life directed by God may not be following truth and might even cause us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought. One might think he honors God by attributing every pleasant thing that happens to him. However, this is similar to how pagans viewed their gods. If one looks at the life of Paul, one can see some direct intervention. However,this was for God's purposes. It did not stop Paul from being beaten and almost killed. God may not have any interest in what shoes we buy, what school we go to, what job we have, or who we marry. Life will be easy or hard based on choices we make and random forces. What God is hoping for is that those who trusted in Jesus will use their free will to mature into the image of Christ. Micromanaging us tends to defeat the purpose of free will.

We live in strange times. Up until 100 years ago people throughout the world lived in large extended families. Children would grow up with intimate knowledge of those whom they would marry, work, and live with. Today people are driven to bars to try to meet someone. The alternative is to find a church that actually teaches the bible, get involved in activities like Sunday School, and see if you can meet and get to know those who might have a reciprocal view of you. You may wish to focus on your own spiritual growth so that you can be the sort of person that would be attractive to the sort of person you would like to meet.

I suggest that it is the ‘spirit’ of factions or division. I would say less a "spirit" and more the lack of "the Spirit" 1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 1Co 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? The failure of churches to teach their members how to be like Christ is perhaps the single greatest failure Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Pastoring (shepherding) is supposed to be accomplished through teaching (pastors who are teachers (Wuest)). Sadly, seminaries usually instruct young men that their jobs will be to (a) present a particular doctrinal brand as true. (b) that the Christian life is complete as long as the brand is kept intact (c) the Christian life consists of acknowledging the brand. One might think from reading the bible that a pastor's job would entail teaching each church member how to stop walking in the flesh and to start walking by the Spirit.

Without good instruction as to how to mature in faith to Christ-likeness, we are vulnerable to false teaching. Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

If one sees in history the attempt by Satan to make his move to try to run the world, one would see these incremental steps in that context. We are told that he sets to course of the world (for now and insofar as he is allowed by God). Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Here is an interesting free pdf booklet title "The Satanic History of the World" https://christianpioneer.com/videos/ebooks/Satanic_history_of_the_world_v1.pdf It should be here as viewable web pages for a cell phone https://christianpioneer.com/cphone ebooks/shotw/shotw main.htm No one likes a noose tightening around the neck. However, I see it as a sign that the Lord will be returning soon.

It took me a minute to figure out that NDE was "Near Death Experience" as NDA is non-disclosure agreement. Auditory hallucinations are usually symptomatic of mental illness while visual hallucinations are usually symptomatic of some blood toxicity or chemical reaction that can be seen with drugs, tumors, cancers, fevers, or even stress. One would expect many near death might have unusual chemical activity going on. In addition to biology, one has to also consider that people can imagine things as if they were real. For example, the phenomena of recalled memories that was big in the 1990s was found to have been recreations fabricated out of details that one had read in books long forgotten. Since so much in this field may be false even if sounding good, I would be cautious before investing too much credibility. Missmuffet had a good point about the bible. We know the bible is true and as even our own impressions can deceive us and much more the impressions of others, it might be wise to forgo investing too much in these reports.

I used to work for a company that had several locations. As I was leaving one location two guys were talking by the door about a guy at another location who was a sort of a "strutting Christian". One said, "Hey, you're a Christian, what's the story with this guy". The shortest answer I could come up with is that some Christians compare themselves to others (raising my hand against the door showing an increasing level). Sadly we are supposed to compare ourselves to Christ (lowering my hand against the door). If we walk in truth our view of God increases and our view of ourselves decreases. One might say that truth is the key to humility. Truth, accept no substitute

Most of the influence of "dark forces" I see are carried in the social momentum I see for self indulgence of all sorts. Satan has set the course of this world such that the family has been minimized, culture hijacked, and a substitute culture introduced that carries with it social inertia that is difficult to escape. Once I felt led to hand out tracts at a big occult event that had come to our town. I very much felt the oppressive presence of some sort of entities. However, I can testify that raising the shield of faith works exactly as it says in Ephesians.

Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Satan keeps those who do not believe blinded to truth (2Cor 4:4). Being a believer allows access to truth. With the compulsive drive to sin made "dead", we still have the option to continue in the flesh. Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. The Christian has some choices to make and skills to develop in order to diminish the sin in his life. This is the journey from living for self to living for others. Often this journey begins when one becomes a parent. Although seldom reached, the end is Christ-likeness. 2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

If there was a single item that connected God to the nation of Israel, it was the temple. It was supposed to be a picture of things in heaven, it was supposed to be the means to fulfill the law God had given the nation. In a way, the cleaning of the temple was a revolutionary call. If people had joined with Jesus in repudiating their practices, there might have been hope that they could have received their earthly kingdom. The priesthood had become a organizational system with monumental generational inertia. To be able to break free and return to what God had instructed them would have required them to value God more than men. Mat_15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. We can see the sadness Jesus had for those who were so integrated into the routine of their daily lives that there was no room for thoughts of God. Mat_23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! I would urge caution in the temptation to look down on Israel considering the deafness of Israel to the words and actions of Jesus. The takeaway here is to evaluate ourselves to gauge the degree to which our own habits have grown to divert us from the life Jesus would have us live.

As a voter offered the possibility to vote for someone bad, the lesser of two evils, or someone who might do some good. I will only vote if there is someone who I think might do more good than bad. A little over 30 years ago I was involved in politics in my state. I started thinking it was a civic responsibility, while unpleasant (like sewer work), still necessary. In two years I concluded it was an irredeemably corruptive process. I suspect that we are told to pray for those n authority rather than seek to be in authority is that there is an intrinsic and basic incompatibility between Christ and the world. Joh_15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

If you were a slave in ancient Rome sent to transport something by the steward of the house of your master and a Roman soldier wanted to accuse you or assign to do something, you might say, Claudius is my master, you will have to talk to him. This might be an example of calling on a name. It invokes both relationship and need. God offers all a relationship with him through Jesus. By calling on that name, we accept this relationship.

If one sees the rapture as the removal of Christians before the tribulation it can make sense logically. 1. The age a grace will end when Jesus Christ pours out wrath on the earth as he opens the scroll that might be seen as the title deed of earth (Rev 4-5). The "body" of Christ will not be on earth (1Thess 5:9) 2. For Israel to fulfill its original purpose (to be a nation of priests through whom the world will know about God), A faithful remnant will be preserved by God through the tribulation to populate this nation that will finally receive the new covenant. It can be confusing to read about the return of Jesus to rule the kingdom in Israel and his return for the Christians. It can be helpful to consider what was written for Israel to be distinct from what Paul write to Christians.

Consider how Jesus dealt with deception. Luk 4:3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. Luk 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Being immersed in the bible (which is truth) is a key step. Exercising discernment (recognizing truth) is another step. Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Having wisdom is essential; Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Being mature gives protection; Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: The key to maturity is completing the transition from walking in the flesh to walking by the Spirit; Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. The key to walking by the Spirit is selflessness; 2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

do these verses describe what is termed "once saved, always saved?" Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Some take these verses to imply individual election by God which would also indicate "once saved always saved". I see it at God predetermining a category to which all are invited (called). I also agree with "once saved always saved, but see other verses as being stronger support. Eph_1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Eph_4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

It was prophesied that he would die. However, it was a mystery that this would pay for the sins of the world and be the mechanism by by which people could be reconciled to God. 1Co_2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1Jn_2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

The bible says that we should not think more highly of ourselves than we ought. I cannot see myself as so important that God has to schedule my birth and death.

Joh 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. We live at a time when most people prefer feeling good over truth. Perhaps what was observable in the spread of the early church was the obvious changes in someone's life when they became a Christian. Today we do not know others well enough to observe any changes and so this sort of "testimony" is generally not available To see if someone may be open to considering Christianity, it is perhaps best to see how they value truth.

We know who runs the world (for now and insofar as he is allowed by God) Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: It is a little fuzzier as to exactly what he is doing, but we can see some of it; 2Co_2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. One might observe the transition of the world to collectivism and see in it the hand of Satan. Here is an interesting booklet considering the hand of Satan throughout history. The Satanic History of the World - Free pdf https://christianpioneer.com/videos/ebooks/Satanic_history_of_the_world_v1.pdf The Satanic History of the World - Viewable as web pages https://christianpioneer.com/cphone ebooks/shotw/shotw main.htm To understand the world, one almost is required to consider how and why Satan is directing things. It certainly seems to portend end times right around the corner. However, we might also be destroyed in a nuclear holocaust and a thousand years from now a rebuilt world enter the tribulation. My own gut feeling is that it will be soon.

Eze 36:18 Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols wherewith they had polluted it:

If the death and resurrection of Jesus was for all sin and it is received by faith, what would the basis be for reconciling those who rejected Jesus.

I see the flood as less similar to us having faith than it was God selecting the last faithful man and his family to start over. One might imagine that the environmental difficulties God instituted with the curse were insufficient to prevent humans from having every imagination of the thoughts of their hearts being evil continually. The climatic changes from the flood creating an even more hostile environment may have been sufficient to limit our indulgences. However, since the Industrial revolution, we may have been now able to indulge ourselves to the degree they did before the flood. One interesting question is the 120 years God spoke of, was it the time until the flood, or the limit that would now be placed on how long a man could live?

Joh_10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.