wingnut-

Ecclesiastes 7:7 Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

I mean in regards to the anti-christ sitting in the temple of God? If there is no physical temple, what do you believe this represents?

What's your take on II Thessalonians then? II Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

There is a toys r us about a mile from my house, so I drive by it often. In November and December, the lot is packed with cars, the rest of the year, maybe one or two vehicles, which are mostly likely the employee's vehicles. Ultimately what made them go out of business is their size and seasonal limitations. Every time minimum wage increases, it puts a huge strain on businesses like toys r us.

Ecclesiastes 7:5 It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.

Yes, they made a lot of huge mistakes. One thing I can tell you from working there, the vast majority of customers were senior citizens, many of which do not even own a computer or have any desire to. They also have no desire to put their credit card info on one. This is also why wall street took a disliking to them, directly stating that the drop in stock value was related to a complete lack of investment in the stores themselves.

I agree, that is what is really happening here. Stores like wal-mart for example. You can get a canned good at wal-mart for 59 cents, whereas your local grocery chain sells it for $2.99. Once wal-mart puts all of the competition out of business, they will charge you $5 for that same can. We have already seen this play out with the wave of Lowe's and Home Depot that wiped out all of the mom and pops hardware stores.

Actually it's a historical view, mingled with experience in the industry. It has not quite been a year since I parted ways with Sears, but long before I saw the trend forming. When the internet became a hit, it was clear they began designing their goals around an online market. The workforce was reduced to a paltry number, so that those customers who came into the store could not find anyone to help them. It's sad when someone has to spend more time searching for an employee than the item they came to buy. Then slowly, over time, we stopped carrying items we had always carried. Our instructions were to take the customer to the computer and do an online order. Now, which do you think is safer, using a public computer to put your credit card info on, or your home computer? If one cannot get what they need from a store, why would you go there? This is all designed to feed the greed at the top, by allowing them to eliminate employees. The fact is, people are being forced to shop online to a large degree, when stores no longer stock the items. The younger generation is fine with buying things they have never seen, but the older generations are still largely composed of people who want to examine something before buying it. As far as toys r us goes, is it any surprise they would go out of business? We are talking about a retail store that only has a few months out of the year to sustain itself annually. This is not a successful business model, it's amazing to me that they lasted as long as they did and points more towards a generation that spoiled their children with excess.

Interesting the different viewpoints on this. In reality, all that is happening is we are reverting back to how things were once done by many. Sears began with a catalog that was very popular in rural areas, mostly a big hit with farmers. All the internet has done is eliminate the need for the paper for the catalog and put the items on display through a screen. Times change based on technology. Was it lazy to go from riding horses to automobiles? It certainly took a lot more effort to saddle a horse, feed it, and then ride it to your destination than hopping in a car that occasionally requires fueling. For many, online shopping is a necessity, for many, it is merely a convenience. Are there negative repercussions? Sure, it allows businesses to eliminate jobs, but they look for ways to do that anyway.

3 Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.

No, I don't think it is racist at all. Nothing wrong with taking an interest in history, and some of the brave men and women who helped to make the world a better place.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.

Of course people died during His time on earth, not sure what this has to do with anything. Are you aware that not everyone on the planet got to hear Him speak during His ministry? Nor did all those who lived before He came? Matthew 27:52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. Many means just that. There shouldn't be any speculation as to the number, not according to scripture. Romans 2:9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality. Interesting that it says the Jew first don't you think? How does that reconcile with your position? No, it most certainly does not. Revelation 11:18 The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.” What Revelation 11 bears witness to is the dead (unbelievers) being judged, and the prophets and saints being rewarded. Yes, that is precisely what is written. Jesus in Spirit, proclaiming to spirits, including those from an era thousands of years prior. Does that mean your position is, that people who lived up to many thousands of years before Jesus came, believed in His life, death, and resurrection? Exactly how do you reconcile that to the fact that the expectation of the Jewish people was not for the Messiah to die, but to come as a conqueror? They expected a Messiah (the Jews did anyway, but of course they weren't the only people on the planet), but they did not know or understand the gospel message at all. As a reminder, this is what we are told in scripture. I Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, No, I asked you to, but never received the response to this inquiry. I'm still waiting for the scriptures that support your claim and show these four compartments. You haven't offered any scripture to compare it with yet. No offense, but I am not taking anyone's word about any "visions". Matthew 24:24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. There is no fourth beast, this is the fourth horseman. And scripture tells us the harvest is the end of the age, the fourth horseman is the fourth seal, a bit premature for the end of the age, don't you think? God bless

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

11 The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man?

Where is this found in scripture? This is the point, they did not die again, they were raised as the firstfruits. They were seen, and moved about Jerusalem appearing to people before they ascended. The problem with what you propose is this, one cannot be before the throne if they have not accepted Jesus. People who lived and died before He came had not heard the gospel, UNTIL He descended and proclaimed it to them. Those that accepted Him, then came out of their tombs. The book of Enoch doesn't sell here and is not part of scripture. The SoF for the site states that we hold to the canon of the 66 books found in the Holy Bible. Enoch is not amongst them, so it holds no weight in the discussion. Revelation 6:7 When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8 And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth. So, let me get this straight, one abode of the dead is going to be riding the pale horse, and another abode of the dead is following the first abode of the dead? And these two abodes of the dead are going to be given authority over 1/4 of the earth to kill by all these means? Pretty talented abodes. Sorry, but no, I don't get that. God bless

The most important aspect of this is being convinced in your own mind that she is gone. Ask the doctors why they believe as they do, and as lady suggested, get a second opinion as well and weigh their reasoning also. If you are convinced that she is gone, you have nothing to feel guilty of, but YOU must be convinced of it. Talk to other family members as well, get their opinions on it. You have the final say, but their thoughts should be considered as well and may help bring you peace in your decision. Praying for you, God bless

I think you are missing the context, so let's break it down and look at what Peter says and follow his line of thought. I Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, So for one, this is talking about the Spirit being made alive. I Peter 3:19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, In the Spirit, He went and proclaimed to the spirits. I Peter 3:20 because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Formerly, they were alive, and they did not obey. Peter isn't talking about Noah and his family here, Noah obeyed, which is why he built the ark. He is talking about those who perished, as in, dead people. Their prison was Sheol, also referred to as Abraham's bosom. What you failed to address, is what is stated in Matthew, Paul and Peter are simply confirming something that was already revealed to us, scripture confirming scripture. From the time the veil was torn in two, things changed. Where do you believe you go when you die?

The gospel. He was offering them the kingdom, just as He had done for the living during His ministry. Those who accepted Him as Messiah were saved, and Abraham's bosom was emptied out.

Matthew 27:50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. 51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. That would be your Old Testament saints. Paul elaborates on this. Ephesians 4:8 Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high He led a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that He had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) Also Peter. I Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Now that we have properly identified the firstfruits, it should clear up who takes part in the first resurrection John writes of in Revelation, which is specifically about that time, not the past. I Corinthians 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ. God bless

You can't expect someone to bother with such a minor detail when they are willing to disregard who is included in the first resurrection

8 For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living?

There are two options now, one of the newer is more like an instant messaging format, for that one the individual would have to be online. The one you are probably more familiar with is more like an email format. If you go to the persons profile you will find the option to send message, or at the top right of the page, next to your profile name, you will see an envelope symbol. You can enter that and type the persons name into the To: area and message them like that. Hope that made sense, praying for you, your mom, and your family. God bless

6 Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy no good—do not all go to the one place?

4 For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered.