Atalyah

I'm one of the few who voted "no" on this poll, but really my answer isn't a "no", more like a "yes, if they continue in unbelief, even rejecting Christ at his second advent". I couldn't say a flat out "yes", because there is more hope for them. The reason why is that I think that when Christ returns, some will see him as the promised Messiah and come to a belief in him. Not that I think there is salvation outside of Christ. So, while a Jew may presently reject Jesus as Messiah, because when he comes on his second advent he will come as a lion (what they expected) and not as a lamb (which they didn't understand at his first advent), they will recognise him. In this sense, the future of the Jew is different than that of the Gentile. So there may be Jews that presently have not accepted Jesus as Saviour, but if Christ returns and they see him as such, then they will not die in their sins.

So, considering Hosea 12:4, do you believe that the "pre-incarnate Yeshua" was an angel?

I hear a lot of people who are for celebrating christmas saying things like "I'm not going to stop celebrating it just cause the dates aren't correct". I don't think anyone who is against celebrating it avoids it simply for that reason. If that was the only thing wrong with it, I'd celebrate it too!

I don't celebrate Christmas because of the pagan associations. I think it's proper to keep ourselves as far away as possible from anything that is associated to idolotry, not to try to use it to suit our purposes. I just don't think God would be pleased to have His and His Son's name associated with practices that are an abomination. Same goes with Easter. Here's an interesting passage... Jer. 10: 3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. 5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. Sounds sort of like a Christmas tree to me All prettied up, bowed down to when presents are put underneath, and made the centerpiece of the living room. Also, Santa Claus was named after "bishop Nicholas"... From what I've heard he was the guy who punched Arius at the council of Nicea. Anyways, I think we ought to remember the life, death, and resurrection of our saviour as a whole, and regularily. No need for a day to be set aside, particularily not a day that started as paganistic, and is now primarily materialistic.

Hosea 12 tells us that it was an angel he wrestled with: 4 "Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;" Consider also 1 Tim. 6:16 - God is invisible God was represented by an angel (as is not uncommon in scripture) Some quick notes on the significance of this event. Jacob wrestling was as night (34:25). This foreshadowed the 'night' of the Jews during the gentile times. But there will come a time when God wil "save him that halteth" l Zeph 3: 19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. 20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD. Micah 4: 6 In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; 7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever another cross ref.... Jer 31:11 10

Since learning a few years ago about all the pagan tradition intertwined into "Christian" holidays, I can no longer celebrate them in good conscience. Sure was interesting to read about though

Is 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. Re 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Foxstar, I don't think the Bible specifically answers your question about the future relationship of husbands and wives in the kingdom (except to say that it won't be similar to how it is now, as per the passage in Matt. 22, already posted). Those glorified will be as the angels, and all as the bride of Christ, not married one to another. In our own minds, with the love we have for our spouses, it's difficult to comprehend not actually being married in the kingdom, and yet be happy. But this is not something to grieve or worry over, as happiness is assured. So, in as much as you can't understand how this happiness will be, simply take comfort in that as much as God is faithful to what He's promised, there is no more pain in the kingdom.

Hi I think Enoch died. "And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." (Genesis 5:21-24) Genesis 5 tells us that the days of Enoch were 365, if he did not die, his days would be indefinate. Romans 5 tells us that all man die. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" So, since the event of the fall in Eden, all are subject to death. The way to the tree of life was guarded, so men did not have access to eternal life. Even Christ was subject to death, being a mortal man, and through his death and resurrection the way to the tree of life was opened. To suggest that a man could enter into eternal life without Christ's sacrifice is to suggest that eternal life was possible without the redeeming sacrifice of Christ. Hebrews 11:5 reads "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." The word "translated" means 'to transport' or carry over. But where was he translated to? Let's take a look at another passage that uses this same terminology... "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:" (Colossians. 1: 12-13) That Enoch was "translated that he should not see death" leaves many to believe that this process was immediate and complete. However, the ref. from Col. 1 helps us to put the expression into perspective. That is, when we are in Christ, though we are still subject to death, though not a death without redemption at the resurrection of Christ. If we are faithful, and "walk with God", this outcome is of such certaintly that those things which are not can be spoken of "as though the were" When we are baptized into Christ, believing the one true gospel of salvation, we are no longer in the family of Adam and Eve and subject to a perishing death. We are translated (carried over) into the family of Christ, now having hope for a place in God's coming Kingdom. Finally, we see that Enoch is included in the list of the faithful which "all died in faith", therefore, according to this passage, he must have died! Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. As to Elijah, again "no man hath ascended up to heaven", that is, not to the dwelling place of God (heavens can refer to the place where the birds fly ) As the above scriptures dealing with enoch have shown, mortal men must die and wait for the resurrection as Christ opened the way to eternal life. (Unless of course we're alive upon his return!) To boot, after Elijah had been taken away by the whirlwind, it would seem he came back because it looks like he wrote a letter to Jehoram, king of Judah. Elisha had taken over the duties of Elijah in the reign of Jehoshaphat. (2 Kings 3:10,11)., Jehoram received a letter from Elijah, the prophet. (2 Chron. 21:1, 9-12). King Jehoram reigned after Jehoshaphat. (2 Chron. 21:1).

Are you really looking to deal with these points for yourself, or are you trying to educate others on why Jews view Christianity as they do, or are you just curious to see what other Christians would have to say about these things? I'm just asking because it's a lot of writing to try to deal with all the issues you've brought up (I've gone through them all myself because I was raised Jewish), and really, although these are questions that need answering, simply going through and answering them point by point wouldn't be an effective way of causing someone to understand that Jesus is the Messiah.

big hugs to you!

Treating your body as if you were pregnant is EXTREMELY good advice. Take your multivitamins, your folic acid, and don't drink or take ANY medications besides what the doctor has said is okay. It can be very surprising what's not okay to take when you're pregnant. One of my biggest surprises was that you can't even take Halls (cold candies) because they have eucalyptus in them. Sure glad I asked the pharmacist! The thing is, when you do get pregnant again (God willing), you won't know exactly when you are until part of the first trimester has passes. And the most crucial developments happen during that time. With my last pregnancy, it took me 2 years to get pregnant, and when I found out I was, I had been taking some migraine medications which could have seriously harmed my child. I spent my entire pregnancy worried that my negligence would cause harm to my unborn child, and many prayers that he would be okay! That said, it's really not uncommon to have a miscarraige on your first pregnancy. It's happen to many people I know, 2 of which are pregnant again at this time. So don't despair It can take time, and doctors usually advise to wait 3 months to let your body rejuvinate itself before trying again, but your chances of getting pregnant again, and going to term, are still very good!

I've done quite a bit of reading on this, and found that Yahweh is a more proper transliteration then Jehovah. (though, I tend to think that no matter how well we try to pronounce the name, Moses probably said it differently!) Supposedly, as the name was considered too sacred to pronouce, the vowel points for adonai (lord) were places above the name to remind people reading to say adonai rather than the name. In time, as people began to pronounce the name, the vowels for adonai were used, and thus "Jehovah" was the result. If I remember correctly as well, yod, the first letter of the divine name, is never pronounced with a 'j' sound. Consider, for example, the name Isaiah, or the word halleluyah. Both of those end with a short form of the divine name "yah". In Hebrew, nor in english, do we end with 'jah", as pronounced in Jehovah. Sure wish I hadn't packed up my book with all sorts of info on this!

So, if a person happens to be Jewish, but doesn't have any contact with their Jewish family to learn about their ancestry, is there any way to find out what tribe they're from?

I've found it helpful, both in studying out a book, and listening to bible studies, to have an outline of the book. Though you can find these already done, it'll be most helpful to you if you create one yourself. Then perhaps compare others and see where and why they might have made different divisions. Also, consider the life of the writer, and the audience to whom he's writing. Set a background of the situation that they were in, and how this epistle was to help in dealing with it. This should be presented as an introduction to your class. Whenever the author quotes another source, look carefully at the surrounding context of the Scripture quoted. The circumstances surrounding those in previous days are often very similar. There is always a reason why he's chosen to quote that scripture, and not another. Seek out the reasons. Study Jude along with 2 Peter. Keep an open ear for "echoes". Similar phrases that are used other places in Scripture. Follow cross references. Sometimes they can be very helpful. God bless you in your studies

And it shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains and exalted above the hills and all nations shall flow into it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he shall teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and rebuke many people, and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they larn war anymore. Oh house of Jacob,come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord. Isaiah 2:2-5

Why do you say that?

Irene, a think a helpful excercise, and perhaps a place to start with this, is to go through the preaching of the apostles in Acts. There you'll find the basic tenants of the gospel, the basis of which our fellowship ought to be based on. Then reject churches which either don't teach, or teach in contradiction to these things. Here's a list of where these speeches can be found in Acts: Peter in Jerusalem - Acts 2:22-42 (Psa. 16:8-11; 110:1-7) Peter in Jerusalem again - Acts 3:12-26 (Gen. 12:1-3; 22:16-18; Deut. 18:15,19) Stephen in Jerusalem - Acts 7:2-56 (Gen. 12:1-3; 13:14-17; Deut. 18:15,19) Philip to the Ethiopian - Acts 8:30-39 (Isa. 53:1-12) Peter to Cornelius - Acts 10:34-48 Paul in Antioch - Acts 13:15-39 (Psa. 2:1-12; Isa. 55:1-13) Paul in Athens - Acts 17:22-31 (Isa. 45:5-25) Paul to Felix - Acts 24:14-21 Paul to Festus and Agrippa - Acts 26:2-27 If you go through these, write out in point form the basics of what they were teaching, and compare them one to another, you'll be able to compile a list, with is paramount to an apostolic statement of faith. Another excercise could be to go through the first episle of John, throughout which he provides us with a number of ways by which we can determine if someone is "of God". Some references for that are: 1Jn 2:5 1Jn 3:9-10; 16-17 1Jn 4:2-3; 6-9 1Jn 4:14,15 1Jn 51-3;10,13,18-20 Hope that helps some.

Glad to hear that was helpful! My congregation produces a bible reading planner with these written in the back. I've considered writing them in a flip book to keep in the bathroom to flip to a new one to memorize each day, (perhaps more fun would be to write them on the mirror with lipstick!) but so far, I've just got a sheet with them on them taped to the inside of my Bible cover Still, that's really helped for me to keep familiar with them, enough that they pop to mind and prick my conscience when I'm not following them! I agree, it would be nice to have all the OT ones written in such a list as well, but (and I know some will disagree with me here), the way I understand it, is that the law of Christ encompasses all of them.

Um... actually in Mark's account of the story, Jesus was referring to the angels in heaven. Need to read your Bible... And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the Scriptures, neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err. (Mark 12:24-27) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Okay, my bad. I didn't read the parallel account. Either way though, I don't think "sons of God" could possibly refer to angels which aren't in heaven. I don't see anywhere in Scripture that uses the term in this manner.

I know this isnt' entirely what you're looking for, (doesn't have all the OT commandments), but it's got a bunch of NT ones... I know a brother who had all of these memorized, and when he had "free mind time" would repeat them to himself!

There were some in Smyrna who were laying false claims to being spiritual Jews. Those who embrace the truth embrace a Jewish hope (Acts 28:20), and are counted as spiritual Israelites (Rom 9:7-8)

Thanks!