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Shalom! Recently I conducted a Bible Study on Mark 4:1-20. Using "The Farmer in Bible Times" by The Way Magazine as a guide, the Holy Spirit revealed the powerful work of evangelism, salvation and sanctification. I look forward to sharing my findings with you and discussing your thoughts!

On a flight home yesterday I was considering the OSAS arguments, both the pros and cons. I decided to jot down reason why I know I’m eternally saved and secure in this wonderful salvation. Below are 12 reasons that came to me, and I thought to share them with my brothers and sisters here on Worthy. I hope and sincerely pray these may be a help to some and that God would shine liberating light on all of us. (I you don’t see an applicable verse for any of these – please ask) 1. Nothing can separate me from the love of God – not even me! (Romans 8:38-39) 2. Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross paid for ALL my sins – “removed as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12) 3. By being born-again, God’s very life has been sent into me – “Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” (John 3:6, Galatians 4:6) 4. Old things have passed away and I am a new creature in Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:17, Col. 3:1-3) 5. I have been placed into Christ – joined to Him - and placed in His body by the Supreme Power in the universe, which no one can undo – “It is of God that you are in Christ Jesus” “He that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit with Him” (1 Cor 1:30, 12:18, 6:17, 2 Cor 1:21, Eph 2:6) 6. I am now a child/son of God, born of my Father, and a partaker of His divine nature. (2 Peter 1:4) 7. Christ’s attributes and inheritance are mine forever, given to us by our older Brother. “in Him . . . the righteousness of God in Christ” “Joint heirs with Christ” (2 Cor 5:21, Romans 8:17) 8. God now looks at me as He does His Son and we are sealed for Him by the Spirit. (Eph 1:13, 1 John 4:17, Gal 2:20, Col 3:3-4) 9. There is now no condemnation for me whatsoever, since I have been put into Christ! (Romans 8:1) 10. I know that as His child there is accountability and discipline to help me grow and mature, but it is all for the good and therefore, my loving Father will not send me to eternal death. (1 Cor 3:12, Rev 3:19, Heb 12:11, Psalm 16:10) 11. My identification is now as a son of God with His life in me, but sin is still present in my flesh and can be manifested in my actions. However, God no longer views me as a sinner (because of the all efficacious work of Christ for me), but rather as a child of God, a saint who sometimes sins. 12. I have been set free for freedom’s sake and can come boldly ANYTIME to the throne of grace, to obtain mercy and grace to help in time of need. And this is especially true after I fail! It has been bothering and a little grieving to me to see all my brothers and sisters on here who don’t realize what a complete work Christ has done for us in giving us eternal life, which may never be taken from us! Christ’s awesome work, in His substitutionary death and resurrection, results in His very life being made available to “whosoever wills.” And through being born-again we are made God’s children, who can’t be unborn. Being God’s children is not just a legal matter of adoption, but also a matter of life – Father’s very life comes into us making us children of the Most High and Christ’s brothers! And hopefully the aspect of a believer’s accountability has been effectively presented in this post and on various recent threads (by others & myself). To reiterate, even though we are forgiven of sin because of Christ’s magnificent work on the cross, sin in a believer’s life can still cause many problems. The new life that is in us does not want to sin, however we still have the choice to live according to the sinful flesh. If we do, Romans 8:13 tells us we “are about to die.” (then goes on to say, “But if by the spirit you put to death the practices of the body you will live.”) This is not referring to eternal death here, but rather the living spirit in us will be deadened by setting our mind on the flesh, that is, until we turn back to Him. Ultimately, all believers will be judged at the Judgement (Bema) Seat of Christ, discussed in Romans 14:10 and 2 Cor 5:10. Here, the Righteous Judge will determine whether children of God have built (our works) with good materials (gold, silver, precious stone) or poor materials (wood, hay, straw). If we did well and built with the materials God desires, we will receive accommodation and praise from Him. If it’s found we lived in sin and built with a bunch of poor materials, these poor building materials will be judged accordingly and will be burnt up. Therefore, we will suffer loss and He will be ashamed of us, but since we are still sealed children of our Father, we ourselves will be saved. So that’s why I know that I know that I know that I have eternal life, which I cannot undo . . . no more that I can climb back into my mother’s womb and somehow be unborn. Yes, it is truly amazing grace! “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” “It is of God that you are in Christ Jesus.” Exodus 12:13 & 1 Corinthians 1:30

The reasons why God chooses some for salvation and not others are given in general terms; and they are all based on God's will and pleasure, his glory and his grace. Eph. 1:4-6, 11 (KJV) 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 1) God has purposed to choose a people for himself, to make us holy and without blame before him in love 2) God has purposed to choose a people for himself, to adopt us into his family 3) God's purpose in election to salvation, is the good pleasure of his will 4) God's purpose in election to salvation, is the glory of his grace. 5) God predestined his chosen ones to salvation, according to the purpose and counsel of his own will. 1 Cor. 1:27-31 (KJV) 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. A) God has chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the "wise" B) God has chosen the weak things to confound the "mighty" C) God has chosen the despised, to bring to nothing those who are something, in human terms D) God's purpose in this is that no-one should boast in his presence E) It is of God that we are in Christ Jesus (i.e. not our will or decision) F) All this is for one, overarching purpose: that the one who glories, glories in the Lord Rom. 9:14-16 (KJV) 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 1) God's shows mercy and compassion to whom he will 2) The basis for God's choice of whom to have mercy upon, is not man's will, or works, but within God himself, who shows mercy.

Proponents of the New Covenant doing away with the Old one state that the 10 commandments are no longer relevant to salvation. However, note something really interesting about the location of the Sanctuary in the Israelite camp that i think completely debuncts that entire theory...the tabernacle was located in the midst of their iniquities...in the heart of the camp of israelites! Leviticus 16:16 New International Version In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been. He is to do the same for the tent of meeting, which is among them in the midst of their uncleanness. English Standard Version Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions, all their sins. And so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which dwells with them in the midst of their uncleannesses. King James Bible And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. One cannot say that the Sanctuary is only relevant to the Israelites, because: Hebrews 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God So in order for the saved to follow Jesus through the heavens, we must enter his rest...just like the children of Israel needed to do in order to enter Canaan (the promised land). Ascending into Heaven at the second coming of Jesus is our pathway to the promised land...the covenant that God made with Abraham is also relevant to us right through to the end of time...It is plainly obvious that the covenant God gave to Abraham did not end at the cross...the israelites had already enterred the promised land hundreds of years before the incarnation of Jesus...that is not what it was about. The true covenant dates back to that given to Adam and Eve...it was Jesus sacrifice on the cross. It has always been about salvation, restoring us to the glorious state before the fall of Adam and Eve. That is what entering Gods rest is all about! Hebrews 4:1 1Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it. The Israelites did not believe and did not obey Gods commandments...they grumbled as had been the case since they left Egypt. As a consequence, the were refused entry into Gods rest until the transgressing generation had all died out...they did not enter Gods rest, the promised land. The parallel of the Israelite promised land in Christian terms is the new heaven and new earth. Unless we have faith AND follow Gods commands, we cannot enter that rest. Hebrews 4: 11 11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience. Revelation 14:12 I think reinforces the statement in Hebrews: 12Here is a call for the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. So in answer to the question, does it mean I cannot be saved if I do not follow all of the commandments of God (including the Sabbath), my answer would be… unless all Christians follow the words of Jesus in the pericope adulterae, then no one cannot be saved. John Chapter 8 3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. So in reading Jesus response to the adulterous women, there were 2 statements he made in answer to the Pharisees question…conditions by which she could avoid further condemnation at the hands of the law. These were: 1. Only one who is without sin can condemn (so condemnation is Gods right however, it is most certainly applicable to sinners) 2. Go and sin no more So how do we define what sin is? I John3:4 4Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness. Psalm 38:1 New Living Translation Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. So sin is found deep within the heart and it is in direct conflict with the covenant (the law of God) that was always in the midst of their iniquities…in the heart/middle of the camp of the Israelites. Jeremiah in chapter 31prophesied concerning the new covenant: 31Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt— a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,g” declares the LORD. 33“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. 34No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.” Now i recognise that we are all judged according to our conscience, however, for those who would believe that intentionally not keeping ALL of the commandments of God (including the 4th instead choosing to worship on Sunday) may still go to heaven, i would argue no you cannot! Jesus rightousness did not apply to those israelites who did not obey Gods commands, Sauls crown was given to another and his soul lost because he did not obey Gods commandments...and since the apostle John tells us in the book of Revelation that the Saints are those who fulfill 2 requirements: 1. keep the commandments of God and 2. have the faith of Jesus without BOTH of the above, we are also lost just like king Saul.

This is adapted from a paper by Dr. DuWayne Lee. I have changed some wording and added some, but it is in essence the same. I have chosen to employ several Bible versions, without cherry picking them, just for some variety and not to lean too heavily on any single version. What is the Perseverance of the Saints? - Part 1 This particular wording comes to us from the acronym T.U.L.I.P. The tulip is a set of 5 beliefs that distinguish reformed theology of the Puritans and other early protestants. The letters stand for: Total depravity Unconditional election Limited atonement Irresistible grace Perseverance of the saints. The doctrine of perseverance is debated among Christians, and unfortunately the immature and prideful ones make it a divisive subject. Some do so out of ignorance, not understanding what it is or whether or not is it Biblical. Sometimes it is just a matter of group think ("my pastor said", or "my denomination teaches") instead of careful and studied examination. Some people just come to conclusions based on their understanding (which may or may not be correct) of a verse of group of verses without being aware of other verses that also relate to the topic. So what is the doctrine specifically? According to Dr. Clarence Bass (Dr. Clarence Bass, professor emeritus at Bethel Theological Seminary): "That act of God by which, on the basis of the completed work of redemption through the meritorious work of Christ, He preserves the believer in continuing faith through the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit unto eternal life." To paraphrase Dr. Lorraine Boettner for the sake of brevity: Those whom God has chosen in Christ, He has effectively called and set apart, cannot totally or finally fall from His grace. The will persist to the end and be eternally saved. While a true Christian may fall into sin temporarily, they will eventually return and will be saved. Implications First, what it is not: It is NOT the idea that a person is eternally saved no matter what they may become in terms of character. 1 Cor 6: 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. ESV Gal 5 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. NASB EPH 5 3 But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. BSB It also does not mean that the Christian will be saved whether he/she persists in faith or not. Mark 13 13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. NKJ The doctrine also does not teach that one is saved by their faith, but then kept safe by their works. In other words the doctrine does not maintain that to be saved, one must earn or keep salvation by living a good life after one has been saved by faith. This is the end of Part One, which was a little history and definition of the doctrine, and clarification of what the doctrine does not teach. In the next installment, we will examine what the doctrine does teach.

Are you a "might and power" "Christian", or do you believe that God saved you by grace ALONE, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone? Zechariah 4:6 (Webster) Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. ---What is the mountain that stands in the way of a man's salvation? Unbelief, pride, lust, greed, hatred, selfishness, etc. ---How is such a mountain removed? The "might and power" "Christian" says, in effect, although not in these words, "By my mighty will I have repented and turned to good works.". He also says, again, not in these words, "By my mighty will, I have generated faith in Jesus Christ, contrary to my wicked nature, which hates the light and does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, and thus have saved myself!". But, what does the Bible say? Ezekiel 36:26,27 (Webster) 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 2 Tim. 2:25, 26 (Webster) 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose him; if God perhaps will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. {recover...: Gr. awake} {taken...: Gr. taken alive} Philippians 1:29 (Webster) For to you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 1 Pet. 1:4,5 (Webster) 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, {for you: or, for us} 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ---It's ALL of grace. Salvation is of the LORD! Hallelujah!

Dear All After years of having a long track record of several forms of OCD (Car, Germs, Illnesses, being unclean spiritually and lots more) now I suffer from Relationship OCD which is getting worse and worse. I am certain that all of this has to do with deep wounds in my heart, caused by how I grew up with little affection, little to no love from my father, and he being harsh and demanding. Due to this I started to be a perfectionist, since I wanted to earn love so bad my entire life. The same pattern started when I gave my life to God a few years ago, I looked at God and compared him to my father. I just couldn't connect the love of god (which I knew in my head) to my heart. So it's never been a ''loving'' relationship, rather a harsh, demanding and focused on rules and commandments type of relationship. My biggest problems in the last years were: If I liked something, or wanted to buy something (ex. Car, Watch, or even start my studies, or going to the gym) doesn't really matter what, I immediately got the thought ''God doesn't want me to do that, or even: It is sin'' Now this could go from good things to bad things, but it has happened with the good things a lot more often. Strangely once I get the thought something is sin, or God doesn't want me to do that, I get real feelings of guilt as if the thing was actually sin..even tho it might be based off a lie PROBLEM: A few months ago I got in a christian relationship with a girl I love very much, we are very committed and going towards marriage. I want to marry her and we focus a lot on god, we worship, read and attend church together. She has dragged me a lot towards god and vice versa. At the time we were getting to know each other, I didn't have any problems. As soon as I started to like her more and started to think that she might be a very good spouse and wanted to be with her. Something had happened in my mind while in church: I begun getting thoughts of: god doesn't want her to be mine, god doesn't want us to be together. And I love god, I would like to obey him so bad, but I am just not sure whether I am listening to a fear (OCD) or the Holy Spirit? My Parents, church, Pastor, christian counselors, her all of them confirm that we are made to be together and there is nothing deadly wrong about our relationship. That it is serving god and going his direction. There were lots of signs and blessings to our relationship, even If I can't see them 100% clearly due to anxiety, there are noticeable signs of god being with us and blessing this relationship. First my fears were: what if god doesn't want me with her, I am gonna suffer a lot if I still do it.. Then: Is it a conviction of the Holy Spirit warning/commanding me and I don't want to obey because I love this girl thus rebelling against god. Or is it a evil spirit trying to split us up, since we're stronger together and love each other and its a god centered relationship. Then: I am going to lose my salvation since I am not listening to gods commandment or voice. This brought me massive anxiety in the last days, panic attack levels and the fear is just overwhelming. Thanks for reading this, and I really would appreciate every help I can get. Does this sound like OCD? Can I lose my salvation by not following gods voice or even disobeying what he is saying? Is he even saying this? Wouldn't there be more signs and confirmations if it would be so? I feel I am not able anymore to hear the voice of the spirit, since the fears are covering everything up.. Edit: I mean yes, in the beginning there was a time at which sin has happened between her and me, but we confessed and set boundaries and for weeks now we are keeping our relationship as pure as possible. Because we both want a relationship that pleases the lord.

There was a recent post, in another thread (now locked), in which a poster claimed that Scripture alone is required for salvation, not a work of God in the person. This is contrary to orthodox Christianity, so I felt that I should post the reply (the thread was locked as I was composing it) in a new thread, because this is vital. Scripture, on its own, saves no-one. Salvation is of the Lord. It is God who saves, by grace, through faith and that not of ourselves, so that no-one may boast. God uses Scripture, as part of the means by which he saves people; but, it REQUIRES the work of the Holy Spirit in someone's life, or no-one will be saved at all. This is essential Christian doctrine, common to all orthodox Christianity, not only to what men call "Calvinism". John 16:7-11 (VW) 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe into Me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to My Father and you no longer see Me; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. 1 Thess. 1:4,5 (VW) 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know of what sort we were among you for your sake.

Here is a short very interesting YouTube video by Dr. Michael Heiser on the spiritual significance of water baptism for a person becoming a Christian. Dr. Heiser is addressing issues of concern arising from 1Peter 3:18-22 WHO Were The Spirits In Prison That Jesus PREACHED To? - YouTube 18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, 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 preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.

I think I’ve been living in ungodliness and didn’t realise it. I don’t think I was living to honour God. This is the video I watched:- Because I think I was living to honour myself and not God I’m worried incase I used Gods grace as a lisence tk sin because I’ve complained a lot I’m scared incase Gods angry at me. The video I watched says that some Christians have their hearts surrendered to Jesus and they still struggle sometimes and then there’s their people who are ungodly and aren’t living to honour God but to themselves I’m scared so I am. I’ve complained in my head so much like every day and I spend all day on my phone and I didn’t think about living to honour God. I didn’t even think. The video said that some have the show of a Christian but it ungodly and fellowship with Christians. I fellowship with Christians online and I quote scriptures all the time and think about God. But I haven’t been living to honour Him. The video also said people twist the gospel to fit their own flesh. I have been angry in my head and complained in my head and lay in my bed all day. I haven’t really been acting the godliest and because of ocd thoghts always running through my head I find it hard to talk trying to tame my thoughts every second and sometimes I speak in a non gentle way and it looks really rude. I don’t think I’ve been serving God. Jesus scares me all the time so I find it hard to feel emotion and focus on Him. I go on my phone all day every day and stay in my bed all day and barley leave my room because idk what else to do. I have nowhere to go nothing to do. I have bad OCD intrusive thoughts so I haven’t prayed to God properly in like 2 weeks. I struggle with unwanted sinful thoughts. would Jesus even want me to pray to Him if I don’t feel emotion for Him. I don’t know how to surrender my heart to Hin and I don’t know how to deny myself or take up my cross and follow Him. I don’t know what Gods will is. I’m scared incase Gods angry at me. please help thank you for reading ?

My heart is full of joy because my friends son turned from Satan worship to Jesus worship. A near-death tragedy has become a reason for joy. so I’m sharing a song that says so much about what I feel and where I am in my own walk. Enjoy - and be blessed! https://youtube.com/watch?v=HyjdUKMSM4E&feature=share

Are we in the last days? Many Christians feel that we are now at the "end" of the End Times. Events are spinning out of control. Where are the End Times heroes? https://raptureandendtimes.com/2020/12/05/the-end-times-hero/

Are we in the last days? Many Christians feel that we are now at the "end" of the End Times. Events are spinning out of control. Where are the End Times heroes? https://raptureandendtimes.com/2020/12/05/the-end-times-hero/

It seems we have had everything bad happen in 2020. How can we have an abundant life in this "year of fear?" Abundant life is eternal life, a life that begins the moment we come to Christ and receive Him as Savior, and goes on throughout all eternity. https://raptureandendtimes.com/2020/11/28/2020-abundant-life-in-the-year-of-fear/

It seems we have had everything bad happen in 2020. How can we have an abundant life in this "year of fear?" Abundant life is eternal life, a life that begins the moment we come to Christ and receive Him as Savior, and goes on throughout all eternity. https://raptureandendtimes.com/2020/11/28/2020-abundant-life-in-the-year-of-fear/

Colors have a deep meaning to us. The meaning of the color white is timeless. The Word of God calls all Christians to the purity symbolized by white. How can we be clothed in white? https://raptureandendtimes.com/2020/11/07/two-americas-are-you-red-white-or-blue/

What is all knowing, present everywhere, and all powerful? You could be forgiven if you said: “Google”. The statistics speak for themselves. The Internet has endless knowledge, but how do we search for wisdom? https://raptureandendtimes.com/2020/10/31/google-or-god-searching-for-wisdom/

How can an educated person believe God created the world? How could a loving God send people to Hell? Didn't science disprove Christianity? Many Christians hear objections to Christianity and have a crisis of faith. Let's explore these questions now. https://raptureandendtimes.com/2020/08/22/end-times-crisis-believe-science-or-the-bible/

Through Biblical archaeology, science has been confirming the historical claims of the Holy Bible. Thousands of discoveries of archaeology since the mid-1800s have demonstrated the reliability and plausibility of the Bible narrative. https://raptureandendtimes.com/2020/08/01/the-temporalscope-science-confirms-bible-claims/

As the End Times "birth pains" become more intense, we need the comfort of God's Word. How does the Bible comfort us? These scriptures are from the top 10 most loved books of the Holy Bible: https://raptureandendtimes.com/2020/07/11/the-top-10-faith-building-scriptures-for-these-end-times/

“Tell them that I love them. Tell them that I care. Tell them that I am coming for them. Prepare, like a man who has been told he has just a short time to live. Tell everyone that I am coming soon for My bride.” https://raptureandendtimes.com/2020/05/23/rapture-2020-the-message/

Saint, Let me offer something that will really help a new Christian, and hopefully be a nice tune up for a pre-existing believer in Yeshua. So, if you want Light from God, then you have to get this revelation inside you, first, that im going to show you. This one..... You have to get this one....in the beginning of your walk with Christ... ..You absolutely must get this revelation of the Grace of God, or you will never be able to move deeper into the Light of the word of God as found in the New Testament. Questions ::: Have you ever wondered why there are a gazillion denominations, that all use a Bible, yet none of them agree? Have you ever wondered why there is no "unity" in the Body of Christ, no "same mind", within the worldwide world of all believers? Do you want to know why? Its because this verse posted next, is not known to most believers, and until it is known, and followed by ALL, there will never be any total unity between Christians in the world, on a forum, or between 2 Churches that are on the same STREET. The verse : Hebrews 13:9 : """"" Be not carried away with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with Grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. """ This verse teaches and explains what happened to the Body Of Christ, regarding why you have a ridiculous number of denominations that all disagree regarding "church doctrine". Its simple..... you have to get the foundation LAID PROPERLY< before you can build the HOUSE correctly, so that there is harmony and unity between all Believers in Yeshua Now notice that this verse teaches that "diverse/strange doctrines, and meats", are all the same idea....... And the verse explains what will happen if your heart, (eyes of your understanding).. that receives the light of Revelation", ) is not FIRST ESTABLISHED with GRACE.. = (The understanding regarding God's freely given Righteousness.) What happens is that all who are not established within their Heart by GRACE, will be carried away, caught up, confused by, and lost inside of HERESY.... Which is "divers and STRANGE Doctrine/meats", and there as so many of these around. So many churches built upon them... Millions of Believers caught up in them.... And only because they were not grounded in GRACE, early in their Christian Beginnings. Now, i recognize that some of you are already yawning, as you are an expert in Grace, regarding understanding this central principal of the redemptive work of Jesus's sacrifice on the Cross, and THANK YOU JESUS< that many of you, long ago, "got the revelation". However, and for the benefit of those who didnt and have lived their entire born again lives, so far, trying to earn God's approval by self effort...(Legalism)..> Let me show you why you are already Approved By God, so that you can stop trying to become what you have already become, that God's Grace has already MADE YOU. As you read your bible, you will run across this phrase a lot. "made unto you", and this is a Key Phrase that will help you understand that everything that God has done for you, Thru the Blood of Jesus, has been "made unto you" when you were born again......That is to say... God has REMADE YOU TO BE. Got it? See, Salvation is to be Literally and Spiritually "made into" something BY GOD, that you were not before. Many NT Verses explain this as being "translated from darkness to Light". becoming a "child of the Light". "as Jesus is So are WE on this Earth", " heir with God"... "joint heir with Christ". "New CREATION in Christ", "bone of Jesus bones and flesh of Jesus's flesh"...and on and on. So, you have to see that you have become something by NEW BIRTH that you were not before you were born again, as this is the eternal effect of God's 'made unto you" CHANGE from "Lost" to "saved" , from Christ rejector to "Child of God", from "damned" to "Saint". Now, lets get an understanding of where you go to get what you need to know... You have to know where to look to find what you need to learn. You dont just flip open a New Testament and hope for the best, as that is a waste of time. So, this means we must go to where you find all the info, the doctrinal info, that God wants you to study. Read a paperback. Study a bible. Books are for entertainment. Bibles are for gaining God's Knowledge. The Bible is full of Light. Study is how you turn on the Light for Life. Its the "ON" switch. To do this, you run directly to Paul's epistles. And the reason? Its because Paul's pen, is the direct descendant of the doctrinal information that came straight from the mouth of Jesus The Christ. Paul is the only disciple and the only Apostle whom Jesus personally took aside for a long time, and instructed into him regarding the "first hand" information that rightly divides the Word. You dont get the ultra-fine doctrinal details from Jude, or James, or Mark, or Peter. You get your Bible Doctrine, your Church Doctrine, your lifelong Theolgy from Paul, who received it directly from the Lord, himself. So, what i teach, is what Paul would teach you. As this is what any true Teacher of the Word of God is going to tell you, and teach you. Now, here is a golden nugget for you. If you want to know exactly what Paul wants you to know, that Jesus taught Him, then of course you read all his epistles. Thats a no-brainer... But, and here is what your Pastor, Minister, Pope, and commentary never told you....If you want to know exactly what Paul is going to teach someone in person, a literal disciple of His, then you go and read Timothy 1 & 2, and Titus.. As they are both Paul's converts. So, just become one of Paul's converts, ideally, by reading what he taught Timothy and Titus., as well as what he teaches the Church at large, in his Epistles. As a matter of Fact, if you are called to Teach or Preach or Pastor, then you need to live inside Timothy and Titus and all of Paul's epistles for a while........like in, .......a lifetime. So what does Paul teach about Grace? Well, he teaches that Sin has separated us from God. And this is an eternal problem for each of us, that if not solved, will cause us to end up after we die, separated from God in Eternity. Currently, if you are not born again, you are separated from God by your sin. However, as compared to ending up in Hell then the Lake of Fire, being alive down here and separated from God, is not quit the same level of consequence. So, this problem that we are all born into, has been solved by God. And its Paul who, in the New Testament, teaches us best and most often about the wonderful love of God as expressed as The Grace of God. Salvation, Eternal Life, Redemption, Jesus dying on the Cross, are all an extension of the Love of God as reflected in the Grace of God. The central issue and subject of the New Testament, is RIGHTEOUSNESS. And the central issue between a human being and God is their lack of righteousness and how to get it. God is often accused, falsely, of "sending people to hell", But in fact, its a lack of Righteousness that is the reason that a person will not live eternally where God lives. Hell and Heaven are simply final destinations. They are Eternal choices that someone is going to make, by receiving or by rejecting Christ. One is the home for the Righteous and one is the place that maintains the unrighteous dead, until they meet their final destination. So, this issue of how to get righteousness, is only a problem that God can solve. Our New Testament says that we have all sinned and fallen short of God's righteousness. So, right there, ends any method or means of saving ourselves or keeping ourselves saved. You've noted that on a Christian Forum you always find a busload of heretics trying to make you believe that you are in control of your righteousness, and that you can earn it, and keep it...otherwise you LOSE IT The fact is, you have no Righteousness apart from Christ's because your sinning eliminated your righteousness long ago, and you can never have it again, unless someone gives you theirs. Enter, God. Enter, Jesus. Enter, The Cross. as all these have come to give you Righteousness. ALL this im writing is simply what Paul teaches. He is the Main NT teacher regarding the understanding of the Grace of God as the love of God given by God coming to this earth to meet all the requirements of the law and then die offering us HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, for our sin. Jesus did more on the Cross then just suffer, bleed, and die. He literally became your SIN. 2nd Corinthians 5:21... and If you are born again, then your sin was lifted from you, erased for you, and in its place, you have received "The Righteousness of Christ". Salvation is Christ on a cross becoming your sin and bearing it, sacrificially, so that you will never be judged for it, in eternity. Being SAVED, means you are saved from being Judged in Eternity for your SIN...... Christ bore all your sin, by becoming your sin.... and you were given as a gift, His Righteousness. Maybe sometime you can think about this... God came down from heaven, to become your sin as well as your sin bearer and in doing so He became your Savior.. Jesus said. "Father if possible, let this cup pass from me".. And that cup, is God's wrath, his eternal judgment, poured out on HIMSELF on your behalf. And that my reader, is The Love of God as well as Amazing Grace. <B><

Before reading, just know that is a long text, and may seem like something ridiculous and not needing to bother with to most of y'all, but this means a lot to me, and I keep hoping to find answers, but can't find any, so that's why I'm here... Hey, Everyone! I am fairly new to this Forum and excited to be a part of it! I was born into the faith, and have been a Christian my entire life (I'm 17 years old, lol). It wasn't until around I was about 12 or 13, though, that I began to become more interested in Christianity and the Bible, and at the age of 15, I discovered Apologetics, which helped me retain my faith that I was struggling with at the time. Thanks to that, I now have learned much more about Christianity than I ever thought I would, and I am so happy to know that Christ is Lord and that I am a Follower of Him! So y'all are probably wondering "what does any of this have to do with Tupac Shakur, as named in the title?" Well, that's where the questions come in. For any who don't know, Tupac Amaru Shakur (1971-1996) was a rapper who went by the stage names MC New York, 2Pac, and Makaveli. He was born in New York, and then moved to Maryland where he attended the Baltimore Academy of Arts (I believe that's what it is called), but then moved to California at the age of 17, where he was introduced to the drug and ghetto culture, where dealing, gang violence, sex, and robberies were frequent and even promoted. He was brought up as a thug, due to this, and incorporated this message in many of his songs. Unlike many rappers today though, when Tupac rapped about drugs and crime, he didn't do it in an attempt to glorify them, he did it to show the consequences of dabbling with them and tried to show those that didn't live that lifestyle, what it's like to live it. Tupac even made songs that, to me, were very powerful. His songs such as: Changes, Dear Mama, Brenda's Got A Baby, Until the End of Time, etc. are enough to make one tear up (I did with Brenda's Got A Baby). Me, being born into the ghetto and being raised in a household of domestic violence, I began to feel extremely attached to his music and his message. I began to binge several of his interviews, videos, albums, films, etc. It got to the point to where he felt like a friend of mine, or even, family. Then, I saw an interview where he was asked his religious views, and this is where it gets downhill. His songs and poems show that he was an extremely strong believer in God, but when he is asked about what he follows, he responds, stating that he believes that if you are good in your heart and do good things, then you are closer to God. But if you're evil in your heart and do bad things, then you're closer to the Devil. But he then went on to say that the Bible, he believes, was made by a person who wanted to find a way to control people. He says that the Bible says that certain people (prophets, patriarchs, etc) are good because they suffered a lot. He then went on to say that he got shot 5 times, and that he was 'crucified' by the media, and he 'walked through with the thorns on', and he told the thief (probably someone in the jail he was in) that 'this ain't supposed to happen, I'll come back for you.' Then he clarified by saying that he ain't saying he's Jesus, but that people go through that type of 'stuff' everyday. He then went on to attack a lot of what he sees as selfishness by megachurches and gigantic cathedrals who won't help homeless people who need God (although I don't have an issue with that point). During this interview, he was quick to make sure that he wasn't trying to disrespect anyone's beliefs, and that these things he's saying are simply his opinions only. This broke my heart. I thought Tupac, someone who I see as an inspiration, was a full on believer! I began to overspeculate, and came to several conclusions, one of which was that Tupac wasn't being entirely truthful in the interview, as he does have different tones with different interviewers, and that he truly did believe in the Bible, but then I felt like I was lying to myself. There several factors that contribute to my continued belief that Tupac was a Christian. Such as: - He had a giant tattoo of a cross on his back - He had a tattoo of a cross, along with Jesus' face, with the words "Only God Can Judge Me" on his arm - His most frequently worn necklace was a necklace of a cross - He was extremely close to his mother, who was a very devout Christian, who even claimed that the group she was in (Black Panther Party) failed because they didn't involve God - In many of his songs, he implements Christian tones: "Hail Mary", "Only God Can Judge Me", "Black Jesuz", "Ghetto Gospel", "I Wonder If Heaven Got A Ghetto" - Many of his lyrics point to a Christian belief: "Father please forgive me for my life of sin, my hard stare seems to scare my sister's kids.." (Until the End of Time) "Get on yo knees to pray, Oh Lord, Help me change my ways, and show a lil mercy on judgment day, it ain't me I was raised this way.." (Hell 4 a Hustla) "Is there a ghetto in heaven or do I go to hell?" (Gotta Survive) "Picture a world where black babies can survive past five, but we must keep hope, quotin the reverend from the pulpit.." (Everything You Own) "Question for the Lord, why don't He like me, please guard my soul" (High Speed) "Just another lost soul stuck callin Jehovah.. Father how the heck did I survive these five shots?" (All Out) "and I wonder if the Lord ever heard of me.." ([Song Title Contains Profanity]) "and I pray to black Jesus to please take the rest of me.." (As The World Turns) "Before I go to sleep I pray and thank the Lord for another fruitful day.." ([Song Title Contains Profanity]) "Dear God I been feeling like I'm close to Jesus.." (Catchin Feelings) "And God said He should send His one begotten son to lead the wild into the ways of the man Follow me; eat my flesh, flesh and my flesh" & "Catch me father please, cause I'm fallin," (Hail Mary) "Cry later but for now let's enjoy the laughter God bless the dead" (God Bless the Dead) "Dear Lord..How can I survive? Got me askin white Jesus will a brotha live or die, cause the Lord can't see us in the deep dark clouds of the projects, ain't no sunshine No sunny days and we only play sometimes" (Still I Rise) "Keep yo' head up and try to keep the faith And pray for better days" (Better Dayz) "Searchin for Black Jesus It's hard, it's hard We need help out here So we searchins for Black Jesus It's like a Saint, that we pray to in the ghetto, to get us through" (Black Jesuz) "Who do you believe in? I put my faith in God Blessed and still breathing And even though it's hard That's who I believe in Before I'm leaving I'm asking the grieving Who do you believe in?" (Who Do You Believe In) These things often comfort me. In regards to Christianity, the closest he ever came to "insulting" it, is saying that the Bible wasn't "written by God". He harshly criticized pastors, priests, and especially televangelists, but he never once, not once, ever spoke bad about Jesus Christ. And even though he didn't hold the Bible in the same regard as we do here, he never insulted any prophet or person in the Bible that is shown as good. What's strange though, is that, in an interview after this, Tupac, while acting in a movie called "Gang Related", states that his faith is in "Black Jesus" and that he has "been gifted by God, by Black Jesus". Here, Tupac refers to Jesus as God, (the reason he uses the term "Black Jesus", is because he wants to make it clear that he doesn't have the same thought pattern as WASP Christians) (also, note that this interview isn't part of the movie, lol). In an interview with MTV (I believe this was his last interview before he was eventually shot and killed), he compares Judas' Betrayal to his competition in the music industry. I don't remember what he said exactly, but it's easy to find online, and it's very short. After he was shot, he didn't die on the spot, but instead, fell into a coma and was rushed to the hospital, where he was alive for about 3-6 days until he eventually died from his wounds. During this time, he was visited by his mother, Afeni Shakur, and his aunt, Gloria Cox, both of whom were devout Christians, and they had with them, in Tupac's hospital room, an Evangelist, who was Tupac's aunt Gloria's cousin, who visited Tupac all the time and prayed over him, and also put oil over him and put a healing cloth on him, while he was still shot up and unconscious, but still alive. He eventually passed away, with the last ones seeing him pass on, being his mother and aunt. Now some of y'all may have a question of your own when reading this: "Why do you care so much?". Well, because I feel extremely close to Tupac, and he touched on so many things that meant a lot to me, and what he said are things that I very much relate to. He feels kind of like a best friend, or even a brother sometimes. I don't let this cloud my judgement, though, as there are aspects of him that I don't agree with. I don't want to follow the life he lived, and I believe that Biggie handled their feud in a much more mature manner and tried to calm people on both sides down, whereas Tupac, due to growing up in the ghetto and already being shot 5 times, became extremely paranoid and reacted somewhat militantly (though, only verbally, not physically). But as Tupac said, he didn't want to be seen as a role model, but instead, show the world what he alone was like. With all this being said, there are some questions I have regarding this. 1) Tupac promoted songs and messages of righteousness, with some gangsta-type themes, only so he could connect and reach out to the people who lived in ghetto hood areas. First and foremost, 2Pac believed in helping the poor, and fought for those who couldn't, but often times his anger did get the best of him, and he would act out on it, but then regret it later on. ~ Does this make him more of a no good thug rather than someone who can be seen as good? 2) Despite him not believing the divine context of the Bible (at least not at the time of the interview), do you think he could still be considered a Christian? He held a very strong and firm belief in God, and believed in the teachings of Christ as well. His Gang Related interview shows him calling Black Jesus, God. Maybe he could've been what is called an "Agnostic Christian"? What is the minimum requirement to being called a "Christian"? 3) Would you say that Tupac made it into Heaven? Or that it seems like He could've? He did exactly what Jesus taught people to do in His Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, but he didn't seem to believe in Biblical authority, but he did refer to Jesus as God. This means he took Him as his "Lord", but I'm not sure if he then also took him as his "Savior". His body art and songs seem to show a promotion of Christian belief, though. I remember reading about King Solomon who was once righteous in the Eyes of God, but then turned to idolatry and had several women as his wives and concubines. I don't think Solomon would've landed in Hell though, so I don't think that what Tupac did, would've landed him in Hell (but I'm not the one to make that judgement). Sorry for seeming somewhat dramatic, and over thinking the faith and actions of one man, but the reason I do this, is because I love Tupac and I genuinely care about his condition and his faith. If there's anyone here, especially a fan of 2Pac who may also know about his life, who can give an answer, then as Tupac said in Dear Mama, "you are appreciated". I kindly ask for as many answers that can be received as possible. Thank you, and God Bless!

Before reading, just know that is a long text, and may seem like something ridiculous and not needing to bother with to most of y'all, but this means a lot to me, and I keep hoping to find answers, but can't find any, so that's why I'm here... Hey, Everyone! I am fairly new to this Forum and excited to be a part of it! I was born into the faith, and have been a Christian my entire life (I'm 17 years old, lol). It wasn't until around I was about 12 or 13, though, that I began to become more interested in Christianity and the Bible, and at the age of 15, I discovered Apologetics, which helped me retain my faith that I was struggling with at the time. Thanks to that, I now have learned much more about Christianity than I ever thought I would, and I am so happy to know that Christ is Lord and that I am a Follower of Him! So y'all are probably wondering "what does any of this have to do with Tupac Shakur, as named in the title?" Well, that's where the questions come in. For any who don't know, Tupac Amaru Shakur (1971-1996) was a rapper who went by the stage names MC New York, 2Pac, and Makaveli. He was born in New York, and then moved to Maryland where he attended the Baltimore Academy of Arts (I believe that's what it is called), but then moved to California at the age of 17, where he was introduced to the drug and ghetto culture, where dealing, gang violence, sex, and robberies were frequent and even promoted. He was brought up as a thug, due to this, and incorporated this message in many of his songs. Unlike many rappers today though, when Tupac rapped about drugs and crime, he didn't do it in an attempt to glorify them, he did it to show the consequences of dabbling with them and tried to show those that didn't live that lifestyle, what it's like to live it. Tupac even made songs that, to me, were very powerful. His songs such as: Changes, Dear Mama, Brenda's Got A Baby, Until the End of Time, etc. are enough to make one tear up (I did with Brenda's Got A Baby). Me, being born into the ghetto and being raised in a household of domestic violence, I began to feel extremely attached to his music and his message. I began to binge several of his interviews, videos, albums, films, etc. It got to the point to where he felt like a friend of mine, or even, family. Then, I saw an interview where he was asked his religious views, and this is where it gets downhill. His songs and poems show that he was an extremely strong believer in God, but when he is asked about what he follows, he responds, stating that he believes that if you are good in your heart and do good things, then you are closer to God. But if you're evil in your heart and do bad things, then you're closer to the Devil. But he then went on to say that the Bible, he believes, was made by a person who wanted to find a way to control people. He says that the Bible says that certain people (prophets, patriarchs, etc) are good because they suffered a lot. He then went on to say that he got shot 5 times, and that he was 'crucified' by the media, and he 'walked through with the thorns on', and he told the thief (probably someone in the jail he was in) that 'this ain't supposed to happen, I'll come back for you.' Then he clarified by saying that he ain't saying he's Jesus, but that people go through that type of 'stuff' everyday. He then went on to attack a lot of what he sees as selfishness by megachurches and gigantic cathedrals who won't help homeless people who need God (although I don't have an issue with that point). During this interview, he was quick to make sure that he wasn't trying to disrespect anyone's beliefs, and that these things he's saying are simply his opinions only. This broke my heart. I thought Tupac, someone who I see as an inspiration, was a full on believer! I began to overspeculate, and came to several conclusions, one of which was that Tupac wasn't being entirely truthful in the interview, as he does have different tones with different interviewers, and that he truly did believe in the Bible, but then I felt like I was lying to myself. There several factors that contribute to my continued belief that Tupac was a Christian. Such as: - He had a giant tattoo of a cross on his back - He had a tattoo of a cross, along with Jesus' face, with the words "Only God Can Judge Me" on his arm - His most frequently worn necklace was a necklace of a cross - He was extremely close to his mother, who was a very devout Christian, who even claimed that the group she was in (Black Panther Party) failed because they didn't involve God - In many of his songs, he implements Christian tones: "Hail Mary", "Only God Can Judge Me", "Black Jesuz", "Ghetto Gospel", "I Wonder If Heaven Got A Ghetto" - Many of his lyrics point to a Christian belief: "Father please forgive me for my life of sin, my hard stare seems to scare my sister's kids.." (Until the End of Time) "Get on yo knees to pray, Oh Lord, Help me change my ways, and show a lil mercy on judgment day, it ain't me I was raised this way.." (Hell 4 a Hustla) "Is there a ghetto in heaven or do I go to hell?" (Gotta Survive) "Picture a world where black babies can survive past five, but we must keep hope, quotin the reverend from the pulpit.." (Everything You Own) "Question for the Lord, why don't He like me, please guard my soul" (High Speed) "Just another lost soul stuck callin Jehovah.. Father how the hell did I survive these five shots?" (All Out) "and I wonder if the Lord ever heard of me.." (Po N*gga Blues) "and I pray to black Jesus to please take the rest of me.." (As The World Turns) "Before I go to sleep I pray and thank the Lord for another fruitful day.." (F*ckin with the Wrong N*gga) "Dear God I been feeling like I'm close to Jesus.." (Catchin Feelings) "And God said He should send His one begotten son to lead the wild into the ways of the man Follow me; eat my flesh, flesh and my flesh" & "Catch me father please, cause I'm fallin," (Hail Mary) "Cry later but for now let's enjoy the laughter God bless the dead" (God Bless the Dead) "Dear Lord..How can I survive? Got me askin white Jesus will a brotha live or die, cause the Lord can't see us in the deep dark clouds of the projects, ain't no sunshine No sunny days and we only play sometimes" (Still I Rise) "Keep yo' head up and try to keep the faith And pray for better days" (Better Dayz) "Searchin for Black Jesus It's hard, it's hard We need help out here So we searchins for Black Jesus It's like a Saint, that we pray to in the ghetto, to get us through" (Black Jesuz) "Who do you believe in? I put my faith in God Blessed and still breathing And even though it's hard That's who I believe in Before I'm leaving I'm asking the grieving Who do you believe in?" (Who Do You Believe In) These things often comfort me. In regards to Christianity, the closest he ever came to "insulting" it, is saying that the Bible wasn't "written by God". He harshly criticized pastors, priests, and especially televangelists, but he never once, not once, ever spoke bad about Jesus Christ. And even though he didn't hold the Bible in the same regard as we do here, he never insulted any prophet or person in the Bible that is shown as good. What's strange though, is that, in an interview after this, Tupac, while acting in a movie called "Gang Related", states that his faith is in "Black Jesus" and that he has "been gifted by God, by Black Jesus". Here, Tupac refers to Jesus as God, (the reason he uses the term "Black Jesus", is because he wants to make it clear that he doesn't have the same thought pattern as WASP Christians) (also, note that this interview isn't part of the movie, lol). In an interview with MTV (I believe this was his last interview before he was eventually shot and killed), he compares Judas' Betrayal to his competition in the music industry. I don't remember what he said exactly, but it's easy to find online, and it's very short. After he was shot, he didn't die on the spot, but instead, fell into a coma and was rushed to the hospital, where he was alive for about 3-6 days until he eventually died from his wounds. During this time, he was visited by his mother, Afeni Shakur, and his aunt, Gloria Cox, both of whom were devout Christians, and they had with them, in Tupac's hospital room, an Evangelist, who was Tupac's aunt Gloria's cousin, who visited Tupac all the time and prayed over him, and also put oil over him and put a healing cloth on him, while he was still shot up and unconscious, but still alive. He eventually passed away, with the last ones seeing him pass on, being his mother and aunt. Now some of y'all may have a question of your own when reading this: "Why do you care so much?". Well, because I feel extremely close to Tupac, and he touched on so many things that meant a lot to me, and what he said are things that I very much relate to. He feels kind of like a best friend, or even a brother sometimes. I don't let this cloud my judgement, though, as there are aspects of him that I don't agree with. I don't want to follow the life he lived, and I believe that Biggie handled their feud in a much more mature manner and tried to calm people on both sides down, whereas Tupac, due to growing up in the ghetto and already being shot 5 times, became extremely paranoid and reacted somewhat militantly (though, only verbally, not physically). But as Tupac said, he didn't want to be seen as a role model, but instead, show the world what he alone was like. With all this being said, there are some questions I have regarding this. 1) Tupac promoted songs and messages of righteousness, with some gangsta-type themes, only so he could connect and reach out to the people who lived in ghetto hood areas. First and foremost, 2Pac believed in helping the poor, and fought for those who couldn't, but often times his anger did get the best of him, and he would act out on it, but then regret it later on. ~ Does this make him more of a no good thug rather than someone who can be seen as good? 2) Despite him not believing the divine context of the Bible (at least not at the time of the interview), do you think he could still be considered a Christian? He held a very strong and firm belief in God, and believed in the teachings of Christ as well. His Gang Related interview shows him calling Black Jesus, God. Maybe he could've been what is called an "Agnostic Christian"? What is the minimum requirement to being called a "Christian"? 3) Would you say that Tupac made it into Heaven? Or that it seems like He could've? He did exactly what Jesus taught people to do in His Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, but he didn't seem to believe in Biblical authority, but he did refer to Jesus as God. This means he took Him as his "Lord", but I'm not sure if he then also took him as his "Savior". His body art and songs seem to show a promotion of Christian belief, though. I remember reading about King Solomon who was once righteous in the Eyes of God, but then turned to idolatry and had several women as his wives and concubines. I don't think Solomon would've landed in Hell though, so I don't think that what Tupac did, would've landed him in Hell (but I'm not the one to make that judgement). Sorry for seeming somewhat dramatic, and over thinking the faith and actions of one man, but the reason I do this, is because I love Tupac and I genuinely care about his condition and his faith. If there's anyone here, especially a fan of 2Pac who may also know about his life, who can give an answer, then as Tupac said in Dear Mama, "you are appreciated". I kindly ask for as many answers that can be received as possible. Thank you, and God Bless!