All of the bloodline of Cain perished in the flood. And there is nothing in Scripture that says that Satan is Cain's father. In Genesis, Adam is said to have known Eve and she conceived and bore Cain. It does not say that Satan knew Eve and she conceived CAin. This serpent seed doctrine is evil and untrue.
Daniel 12:1 admittedly is confusing as it would seem that the time of trouble when His people are raised when considering all the other events beforehand make it seem like the midpoint of the Tribulation. My point was that the 24 elders clearly represent all the saints; and it would make sense that it would be the O.T. and N.T. ones from "all nations". So somehow it is the literal elders as well as all those symbolized by all believers; that was my point; perhaps the original text is worded to make that point clearer than the translation. Whether those who have "fallen asleep" are Resurrected at the same time being part of the church age; or the O.T. saints are raised later on is a mystery to me. I suppose in some sense with the 2 prophets Elijah if not Enoch as well have the final Resurrection at the midpoint as Elijah never died (following the Hebrews 9:27 principal). Just thought of that. The other aspect which you haven't asked me about is my whole view that those in white garments after martyrdom represent believers who are lukewarm and left behind. I suppose that is contentious as well; given my reasoning and scripture as a whole it isn't worth dividing over; but I want to remain faithful to the text. As to the rapture being a reward and not a salvation issue; and how we define the wrath that we as a church aren't going to go through is a complex issue. I say this in all honesty for many now that is the only thing this side of heaven that will cause a real move of God; certainly that is the case for the Tribulation saints there will be a countless multitude. As to whether there is some overlap of the Age of Grace with the Tribulation is a tough subject. Surely; as Psalm 40 seems to implicate; many will see and fear when we are lifted up from the miry clay which could refer to the Rapture; as well as whatever provokes the Jews to jealousy ( Romans 11:14; also see Deut 32:21 I just found that also! Hope these things won't cause too much strife.
I know all of those Scriptural references. I just don't think that Jesus was raised a spiritual body. He was raised a physical body, the same one He died in, yet He had the ability to appear and disappear before the disciples, to also be unrecognized by His disciples (on the road to Emmaus). But He ascended in a physical body and the disciples were told that He will return in the same way. Stephen saw heaven opened and Jesus sitting at the right hand of the throne of God the Father. (Stephen recognized Jesus because Jesus is still in a glorified body). He mediates for us before the Father, as a human and as God's Son. Humans were made to have bodies. We have a physical body in this life, and in the resurrection, our bodies will be like Jesus' risen body.
I recognize that we may differ on this. So, I will end my participation in this discussion with you with this post. i am glad you expressed your opinion on this matter, as I have. We shall see in the resurrection how we will be embodied.
Agreed, Giannis. I do know that the Resurrection was celebrated on a Sunday from the first century on. But I am not sure if His death day and the Last Supper were celebrated on Friday and Thursday, respectively. But I have not researched that to know for sure either way. I pray for a teachable heart. I have learned (and unlearned) much over the years as God refines my beliefs with His Word and good teachers.
Based on this chapter Paul was in a trance. "Paradise" is mentioned 3X in the Bible. Jesus Christ said this particular word in Luke 23:43.
Then in Galatians 1:15-17 and Galatians 4:25 Paul went to Arabia where My. Sinai. Does that cross your mind it is just like Moses did. Paul must have seen God and gave Paul the revelation of The Gospel of Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. That was a very different level of understanding (How Jesus died for our sins) VS what the 11 apostles are telling people who Jesus Christ whom the Jews crucified). That is why Pauls's epistles emphasized on trusting the blood as a propitiation as he wrote more about the grace, justification, wisdom, faith, sanctification, redemption, atonement, Charity, mysteries that God may have revealed to him. I am so happy that God gave me the ability and I think it applies to all of us to think and be serious in understanding Jesus Gospel to the Gentiles.
I am not a Jew, so some messages only applies to the Jewish people in the last days. 2 Timothy 2:15
Although there are some Jewish people who can be saved today, but God loves Israel who knows already and will know the King of Heaven and earth Jesus Christ today and/or later. They will be saved if they understand the message of God from their fathers when Moses brought them out of the land of Egypt until today. That is why we Gentiles need to be United to help them all.
Some of you may not understand yet, but most already are on the same page. There is no religion, nor denominations can compete to the people who has the power of God. You know who you are.
We continue to pray because we want as many people to attend the wedding ceremony in Heaven.
The only thing I do not like about this site was there are pagan books in it.
Revelation 2:7
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
If half of the elders are from Old Testament and they are represantatives of saved people in the OT times, then this means that OT saints will take part in the rapture as well There is a debate about that (Verses Rev 5:9-10 do not hide anyhting in greek). One question though. When you say whole church do you mean people from OT as well? Because I think when we say church we mean the NT saints only. GBU
Thanks GiGi, I absolutely agree with you about everything you said. You are right. Christianity wasn't "invented" in the 1600's. It was there for almost 1500 years.
I will not stay any more on the topic of the date of Jesus' crucifixion. There are some explanations that could be right But I will stay on the tranditional belief mainly because I find it very hard to believe that the early church who started celebrating Easter just 70 yeas after Jesus' crucifixion were wrong. And through the centuaries nobody really debated that date. So... what am I supposed to say?
A thing I would like to point out is that today we read the Bible in our language as if it was written in it. And we forget that different languages often use different expressions for the same thing, like today we say "two or more", but Jews at that time used to say "two or three", and if the translation is word by word we often need somebody to explain things. Also often people who speak a language find it difficult to understand old writtings not only because many words are not used any more but expressions may have changed as well, we say it in a different way now, this happens in greek as well. Another thing is that the NT with the exception of Luke who was greek was written by Jews, and they often say in greek what they would have said in Hebrew but in greek it may be confusing, and further on in English as well. Also people at that time used many allegories, metaphors, parables, (some writtings like Job and Song of Solomon are poems in Hebrew) whereas today we tend to be very precise in what we say. This is why we need pastors, teachers, scholars, theologists, historians to explain some things. I dont say this happens always.That is why personally I use many different Bibles if I am not sure of what something means. So I recommend people here on this site not to always trust their own perception of the Word of God but listen to others as well (this includes me), and read. Read.
The book of Enoch has a piece existing in the Book of Jude; as well as the narrative about his life in Genesis. There are other things which involve records of kings that are mentioned.
It is interesting to consider even Paul mentioning at the temple for the "unknown god" the pagan writings talking of God being near to all of us ( Acts 17:28); as well as the Cretian poem talking about their own people being gluttons and other unpleasant attributes as being true testimony in that respect ( Titus 1:12).
As historical literature from that period of time between the O.T. and N.T. we can glean some events such as the Maccabees account of what the Jews did resisting Antiochus Epiphanes that Daniel prophesied about along who would have similar traits to the final Antichrist. Thus; earlier Bibles included such texts for historical but not spiritual application that were of the Protestant mindset; the Catholic church itself states in their own commentaries that certain things are stories and not based on fact. Even with the best literature we find grievous errors such as praying for the dead (necromancy) that is forbidden in the rest of scripture. There are spurious accounts of Christ as well after the Resurrection that are not doctrinally sound. What we do find of accuracy is basically a repetition of the 66 books of the Bible in certain passages; such as can be found as well in Islam and other writings. There is lacking a "thus saith the Lord" or any prophetic statement with clear fulfillment either at that time or in the future.
I know, but that was Jesus in a transfigured body, He had not yet ascended; He was saying to the disciples a celestial/spiritual body has not flesh and Bones, as they see Him. ------ (in a transfigured one)
It wouldn't have the same effect on the disciples if He were in a spiritual body.
LUKE 24:39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have."
I. CORINTHIANS 15:42 So is the resurrection of the dead also [with a different body].. It is sown in corruption [decay and ruin]; it is raised in incorruption [unending existence]:
I. CORINTHIANS 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness [sickness]; it is raised in power:
I. CORINTHIANS 15:44 It is sown a natural [animal life] body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
***To those wondering about rapture theory. Read below. I added emphasis in all caps and asterisks ***
2 Thessalonians 2
King James Version
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, ***nor by letter as from us***, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 ***Let no man deceive you by ANY means***: for that day SHALL NOT COME, EXCEPT THERE COME A FALLING AWAY FIRST, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
This chapter shows the abrupt shift in setting based on things that "must be hereafter" according to verse 1. John was taken up in the spirit (verse 2) to observe the throne; who sat on the throne; the 24 elders; and the sevenfold or seven Spirits of God (seven lamps of fire) burning before the throne. This would indicate the church raptured; and likely the 12 Apostles and 12 elders from the O.T. who were the sons of Abraham.
The four beasts before the throne show the continuing narrative in Ezekiel 1:5. These were and are still continually praising the Lord. The elders once again appear in verse 10 casting their crowns down and giving praise to God's attributes.
When we get to chapter 5; we see that the elders discuss being redeemed from every tribe tongue and nation (verse 9 and 10). So it would seem that they are representative of the whole church; or else a larger group was also included in the text and the way it is translated seems to hide it. I have heard that analogy; in any case clearly the reference to "kings and priests" such as represented in 1 Peter 2:9 and other scriptures makes it clear the whole victorious raptured group of saints from the church age are meant here. Other scriptures; however mention the warning of losing reward ( Rev. 3:11); and indicate crowns are rewards for specific things. Those who are raptured will recieve a crown for those eagerly looking forward to that Day ( 2 Tim. 4:8). Certainly; however those who make it in as through the fire ( 1 Cor. 3:15) will suffer loss; and many may not have crowns or be kings and priests during the Millennium. Those who have more fruit have bigger reward ( Luke 19:17-19); and some who hide their "talents" will lose even what they thought they had ( Luke 19:24). A similar parable shows that servant being cast into outer darkness; either the Tribulation or hell.
So we can barely enter heaven; or be a tare if not investing what He gave us and producing fruit. Food for thought!
Hey that's pretty cool, interesting read,,, I got a sea monster in my brain.
Makes one think about how God connects to His Election in that (hour) where they are all of one mind in Acts 2, in the day of Pentecost being fulfilled.
Frankly I've never made that connection, and much is deception of the mind to deceive, e.g Trumpets, Plague's ... are deception's of the mind.
because the centuries long teaching that He died on a Friday and rose on a Sunday does not equate to three days and three nights in the tomb, as Jesus says explicitly in Matthew 12:40. The Friday to Sunday can be viewed as three days, but not three nights.
But as you say, we do need to think kindly of other believers who may not be from our own religious tradition and refrain from speaking of them as being unsaved, evil, deceiving, or fake. Only God truly knows the heart and mind of each believer. He knows if someone is truly in the faith and who is truly a heretic and outside of the true faith. He will help all who ask come to Him humbly asking for guidance and knowledge of true doctrine. He will supply the teaching and the influence from the Word or from a teacher/mentor He sends into someone's life, or leads one to a site on the internet that teaches sound doctrine, or to books/writings from history (long ago or in recent centuries) that will shed light on the doctrine one is seeking to learn more clearly. He is faithful and brings truth and answers to those who seek Him with a pure heart who loves the truth AND the brethren-past and present.
So, thanks Giannis for pointing this tendency out that is becoming more and more common in this generation of believers (those who resist learning from others (past and present) and who bad-mouth those who do not agree with their own private interpretation of a doctrine of our faith-those who despise doctrine (even the word) and tradition (even the word). I think that many of these people do not know how to distinguish between what Jesus was talking about as "traditions of men" and traditional doctrines of our faith passed down through the centuries, thinking anything that is older than this present "age" (last 100 years must be wrong because it is now a "traditional" teaching-therefore the tradition of man. But I believe that this thinking is both wrong and dangerous to those who hold to it. So I pray.
I believe the books of the Apocrypha are called pagan to discourage people from reading them. The writing style of much of the Apocrypha is similar to the Old Testament and the style in which Jesus spoke: straight forward and powerful
1st Jesus is talking to covetous Pharisees. Jesus already knows their hearts. We have modern Pharisees today.
2nd A beggar in v20 & 21 is desiring to be fed, I think by using the word beggar and sores and crumbs, and dogs licking his sores means this person is in dire needs of help from a rich man whom he knew since the beggar was laid at his gate. This could apply to all kinds of good deeds work for God's glory today.
3rd Abraham's bosom must be a better place VS hell. This emphasizes there is indeed hell. It must be a true story and not a parable from Jesus Christ. Both person died-one comforted and the other tormented. Scary for this reality. We really need to examine ourselves.
4th v26 it appears you can see people in hell and from hell you can see people from Abraham's bosom. It is a great gulf fixed that you cannot just pass one place to the the other place. Shameful to see all people in hell at this point. I cannot bear to think how much I would cry to see our love one's in hell.
5th v27-28 talks about sending someone back to warned his 5 brothers about the reality of the tormented place where the rich man is experiencing. You cannot do that as well. One chance in life and we had 2,000 years of grace period to trust, have faith and believed in Jesus Christ alone.
6th So his brothers must be existing during Moses. We are here 2022 and we had plenty of warning from Paul who told us how to be saved. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
7th v30 You cannot cross from death back to life again. You only have one chance in life and when you die, you die pecker head. Everlasting torment is real.
8th last verse tells me you have someone like Moses sent by God, the five brothers have a chance to listen and if they don't, even if someone comes back to warned them from torment place they still will not change. We see more people today who are just not listening. Very sad. We have plenty of warnings. We pray!
I will discuss only The Apocrypha. Perhaps others can provide more details to what I write. You can use this as a start to your own research.
There are Four Kingdoms of mentioned in Daniel 7. Many say the Four Kingdoms are:
1.the Babylonian Empire
2.the Medo-Persian Empire
3.the Greek Empire
4.the Roman Empire
I have heard it taught that the Apocrypha pertains to the Greek Empire oppression of Ancient Israel. Perhaps the Apocrypha was WRITTEN during that time and NOT that everything in the books of the Apocrypha happened during that time. Apparently some of the Books in the Apocrypha are ancient.
The latter Apocryphal books of the Maccabees reveal the early beginnings of the Roman influence / oppression of Ancient Israel (Roman-Jewish Treaty I Maccabees 8:17-20). But also the Book of Maccabees refer to Greeks wanting to Hellenize the Ancient Israelites to participate in sports and exercise (I Maccabees 1:14) and not study the Torah or take care of the Temple.
The Bible is The Word of God traditionally consisting of The Old Testament, The New Testament, and the Apocrypha. Some say the 14 Books of the Apocrypha were removed from American Bibles in the 1800's.
In many older American Bibles the Apocrypha was placed between The Old Testament and The New Testament because some believe the Apocrypha was written between the period between of The Old Testament and The New Testament.
The Greek word for Apocrypha is apokryphos means hidden. This Greek name supports the idea of a Greek influence on Ancient Israel. This is supported by the fact that The New Testament sometimes refers to the Roman influence / oppression of Ancient Israel.
The 14 Books of the Apocrypha are I Esdras; II Esdras; Tobit; Judith; The rest of Esther; The Wisdom of Solomon; Ecclesiasticus; Baruch, with the Epistle of Jeremiah; The Song of the Three Holy Children; The History of Susanna; Bel and the Dragon; The Prayer of Manasses; I Maccabees; and II Maccabees.
Dear Giannis, I so agree with you on these matters. We are not to despise, denigrate, or negate the teachings and faith of those who were alive during the beginning of the church age, nor through the centuries, as if we, in this time are so much wiser and correct in our beliefs. That is a very arrogant and prideful way of viewing ourselves in relation to those believers who have gone before us, the great crowd of witnesses, as Hebrews 1 states. You have spoken well in your reply to Ronnette here. There are many on this forum who dishonor those who lived out their faith in Jesus through such terrible persecution, hardships, and struggles with heresy over the centuries. We should have an attitude to learn from them. God placed them in the church by His election and gave us their writings and history to inherit the body of beliefs of the faith past down through the saints.
I am not saying that all that was taught in the early church centuries, the Middle Ages, the Enlightenment, nor in the past 500 years is absolutely correct. But there is much truth there, especially on the majors, as you state. These majors are the teachings that must be believed to be considered a practicing Christian. New believers, of course do not know all of these teachings yet, but those who read the word, learn from pastors, or other Christian teachers should know these teachings and believe them to be considered "in the faith". I am not going to itemize these teachings in this post, but I do recommend to others to study up on these "majors". And, yes, one's position of the exact timing of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection is not a major. But that He did die for us, was buried, and arose on the third day for us is absolutely a major and essential to a person's faith.
I do think it is good to learn about the timeline of Jesus' last Supper, sufferings, death, burial, and resurrection in order to have an explanation for those who question the veracity of the "majors" I mentioned above ...
Yes, the Kingdom of God is within you. The Kingdom of God IS you. What else but you did the Creator create and what else but you is His Kingdom? The Kingdom is perfectly united and perfectly protected, and nothing will prevail against It. Amen. Only in one's wildest dreams is there a power which can usurp it. To believe so is actually a form of denial, arrogance, and lack of faith, to put it bluntly. I have faith in this: God wills us be in Heaven, and nothing can keep it from us or us from it. Our wildest misperceptions, our weird imaginings, our blackest nightmares all mean nothing; they will not prevail against the peace God wills for us.
I have a few questions. What you said about the brain is interesting. Can you give me your opinion on how the brain and mind are related? Also, I'm not sure if you are utilizing/linking the Zodiac thing with spirituality or not. Perhaps some clarification on that would be helpful, if you don't mind.
There are important beliefs/doctrines in Christianity that are necessary for salvation like the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. But there are many insignificant ones that if one believes it this way and somebody else otherwise, it doesn't really matter. The date Jesus was crucified is not of any importance, and probably we shouldn't have spent so much time on it. Whether you believe it was Thurday or Wednesday or Friday doesn't change anything in your spiritual life. When we say that the truth will set one free we mainly mean that the truth which is that Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins and resurrected for our justification will set us free of our sins and from spiritual death. We can not generalize it for any disagreement we have with others. When you say that Jesus was crucified on Wednesday, that of what has it set you free personally? So I think you understand. There is a verse in Romans that says that the kingdom of God is not food or drink but peace, love and righteousness in the Holly Spirit. If you eat meat or not, if you drink wine or not has not any positive or negative consequence in your spir. life. Another scripture says that in Christ circumsision or not circumsision is nothing but new creation (is important). This doesn't mean that we can do or believe anything we like but there are important and insignificant things in Christ. One has to, as you say, rightly divide these things.
Another thing I would like to tell you is that the belief some have that all the millions of Christians that live now and the millions that lived in the past 2 th. years were useless really and had wrong beliefs and God chose us personally among those many millions to reveal His Truth is very dangerous. It's not only us in the faith. There are many millions of us who love God and look for the truth. Sorry to talk to you like this but I often find myself thinking in this way, and this is wrong. Again no offense meant. God bless you
Correct, but this is done Spiritually while in silent prayer. Just like donning the Armor of God, one can't physically put it on, but one can do this act in their mind or spiritually, hidden from sight, but it's there.
See, the Kingdom of God is within you, you are the Temple, therefore, once a person stops looking at these parables as literal, but instead looks for the hidden meaning, the spiritual meaning that applies directly to the self, not the World stage, but Jerusalem is an aspect of you, Abraham is an aspect of you, Egypt is an aspect of you... then these storied develop into relevant psychological events that depict a phase of the nature of man vs the spirit in man.
So back to the You are the Temple of the Living God. That must mean what was in the Temple then, must be in you now... IF my theory is correct. Well, lets see. Is there an altar above fire? Define Fornix etymology...{search}
fornix (n.)
from 1680s in reference to various arched formations (especially in anatomy), from Latin fornix "arch, vaulted chamber, cellar, vaulted opening," probably an extension, based on appearance, from a source akin to fornus "brick oven of arched or domed shape" (from PIE root *gwher- "to heat, warm").
Is there a White Horse that Jesus appears on? Define Hippocampus {search}
hippocampus (n.)
c. 1600, a kind of sea monster, part horse and part dolphin or fish, often pictured pulling Neptune's chariot, from Late Latin hippocampus, from Greek hippokampos, from hippos "horse" (from PIE root *ekwo- "horse") + kampos "a sea monster," which is perhaps related to kampe "caterpillar." Used from 1570s as a name of a type of fish (the seahorse); of a part of the brain from 1706, on supposed resemblance to the fish.
2 for 2, and there is so much more... The Olives symbol refers to the medulla oblongata.
To wrap up I quote Jesus Luke 11:52
Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered
I agree with much of what you've posted: God is Love, the Kingdom of God is within you, the psychological war that takes place in your mind, it all ends and begins with your mind.
1John 4:7-8 "God is Love", "love is of God". If God is fear and hate also, then the door is open to the probability God's opposite, Satan is capable of love and hate also. I question though whether an opposite to God in truth/reality can even exist. Is there anything that can usurp the power of God, thwart His Will or separate His creations from the Love of Christ, even temporarily? To this I would say that God is not the author of fear, I am. I have chosen in my human mind to create unlike Him, and therefore have made fear for myself. I will continue to refer to James 3:11-12. The principle established here is things produce like things, i.e. Love creates Itself and nothing but Itself, Holiness Itself, Perfection Itself, Innocence Itself, Spirit Itself ( John 3:6). They have nothing in common with fear/hate, unholiness, imperfections, guilt, and flesh. To have faith in these opposites is a confused dualistic thinking mind. The water (truth) you mentioned is the same water in which one will never thirst again, John 4, and it cannot be contaminated with salt (lies), again James 3; which results in diluted truth. Yet James says that they can't flow from the same spring (mind). Thus it is obvious the impurities (salt) must be from my own mind.
Everything that exists in reality, and that which SEEMS to be real (truth), but isn't, is from the Mind of God or from a false opposing mind (mine), respectively. The source of everything, real or false is from Mind/mind, i.e. everything comes from thought; it is an idea. The mind can make the belief in separation from God very real and very fearful, and this belief is the "devil". It is powerful, active, destructive, and clearly in opposition to God because because it literally denies His Fatherhood.
There is information about the Apocrypha books and their position, within this site; I cannot verify the accuracy, but it is something, and here is a sample:The apocrypha is a selection of books which were published in the original 1611 King James Bible. These apocryphal books were positioned between the Old and New Testament (it also contained maps and geneologies). The apocrypha was a part of the KJV for 274 years until being removed in 1885 A.D. A portion of these books were called deuterocanonical books by some entities, such as the Catholic church.
I do agree that we all need to be careful on what's being told to us, not only on this forum, but even in church.
However, if someone is just giving an opinion, why would they need scriptural proof to back up their opinion? An opinion is just that, an opinion. An opinion does not require proof. Now on the other hand, if someone is trying to give you a "Thus saith the Lord," and they don't back it up with scripture, that's a whole new story. But why scripture for just an opinion?
You say, "God is love but satan is evil and ppl will do evil things. God will only tolerate this up to a point," and you give no scripture for that, so are we to believe you are staying your opinion?
Please don't be upset by my reply. I just wanted to know why scripture backup is needed for an opinionated post?
The book of Jasher was mentioned 2X as in Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18
The rest in my opinion are all pagan book. The KJV Bible is enough information for us to go to heaven. Read many comments here and many will give you their own opinion and interpretations. It is up to individual to do the study 2 Timothy 2:15-16..
Thank you so much for this site. I use it daily for my reading and to pray for those in need. It truly helps me get through the day after my morning prayer and study from my bible (KJV). Plus, I'm sharing it with my oldest son as well and he too is getting stronger in Christ! He used to be satanist so thank you, thank y'all so so much!!
20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
What a great Intelligent Designer God and author we have. The Bible has full of righteous and true information. We are all reading the same KJV Bible.
Romans 16:17-18
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Yes, I do have a question. I would like to know where the following books would be placed in the volume (Genesis and Revelations) of the Bible: Apocrypha, Book of Enoch, Book of Jasher, and the Book of Jubilees. Thank you
Mark 8:34 .....Whosoever will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and take up HIS CROSS daily, and follow me.
John 19:17 And he BEARING HIS CROSS went forth to a place called the skull ....
The CROSS, that Christ bore and the cross we bear is not made of WOOD.
Simon bore the WOODEN CROSS; that sinful flesh DIED ON: Christ cross, and our cross, is much heavier; it takes the KNOWLEDGE of the Father to bear that cross.
You, indeed, have had a hard life. I will pray for you today.
Dear Heavenly Father, Look upon Michael today and give Him renewed strength, health, and a happy heart. Bring financial blessing to Michael in a miraculous way so that he can look to retire with comfort after all of these years of hard work and poverty. You alone can bring this about, Lord God, so we ask this of You in the name of Your Son, Jesus, in whom are all of the treasures and riches of inestimable worth. Amen.
All of the bloodline of Cain perished in the flood. And there is nothing in Scripture that says that Satan is Cain's father. In Genesis, Adam is said to have known Eve and she conceived and bore Cain. It does not say that Satan knew Eve and she conceived CAin. This serpent seed doctrine is evil and untrue.
I know all of those Scriptural references. I just don't think that Jesus was raised a spiritual body. He was raised a physical body, the same one He died in, yet He had the ability to appear and disappear before the disciples, to also be unrecognized by His disciples (on the road to Emmaus). But He ascended in a physical body and the disciples were told that He will return in the same way. Stephen saw heaven opened and Jesus sitting at the right hand of the throne of God the Father. (Stephen recognized Jesus because Jesus is still in a glorified body). He mediates for us before the Father, as a human and as God's Son. Humans were made to have bodies. We have a physical body in this life, and in the resurrection, our bodies will be like Jesus' risen body.
I recognize that we may differ on this. So, I will end my participation in this discussion with you with this post. i am glad you expressed your opinion on this matter, as I have. We shall see in the resurrection how we will be embodied.
Then in Galatians 1:15-17 and Galatians 4:25 Paul went to Arabia where My. Sinai. Does that cross your mind it is just like Moses did. Paul must have seen God and gave Paul the revelation of The Gospel of Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. That was a very different level of understanding (How Jesus died for our sins) VS what the 11 apostles are telling people who Jesus Christ whom the Jews crucified). That is why Pauls's epistles emphasized on trusting the blood as a propitiation as he wrote more about the grace, justification, wisdom, faith, sanctification, redemption, atonement, Charity, mysteries that God may have revealed to him. I am so happy that God gave me the ability and I think it applies to all of us to think and be serious in understanding Jesus Gospel to the Gentiles.
I am not a Jew, so some messages only applies to the Jewish people in the last days. 2 Timothy 2:15
Although there are some Jewish people who can be saved today, but God loves Israel who knows already and will know the King of Heaven and earth Jesus Christ today and/or later. They will be saved if they understand the message of God from their fathers when Moses brought them out of the land of Egypt until today. That is why we Gentiles need to be United to help them all.
Some of you may not understand yet, but most already are on the same page. There is no religion, nor denominations can compete to the people who has the power of God. You know who you are.
We continue to pray because we want as many people to attend the wedding ceremony in Heaven.
The only thing I do not like about this site was there are pagan books in it.
Revelation 2:7
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
If half of the elders are from Old Testament and they are represantatives of saved people in the OT times, then this means that OT saints will take part in the rapture as well There is a debate about that (Verses Rev 5:9-10 do not hide anyhting in greek). One question though. When you say whole church do you mean people from OT as well? Because I think when we say church we mean the NT saints only. GBU
I will not stay any more on the topic of the date of Jesus' crucifixion. There are some explanations that could be right But I will stay on the tranditional belief mainly because I find it very hard to believe that the early church who started celebrating Easter just 70 yeas after Jesus' crucifixion were wrong. And through the centuaries nobody really debated that date. So... what am I supposed to say?
A thing I would like to point out is that today we read the Bible in our language as if it was written in it. And we forget that different languages often use different expressions for the same thing, like today we say "two or more", but Jews at that time used to say "two or three", and if the translation is word by word we often need somebody to explain things. Also often people who speak a language find it difficult to understand old writtings not only because many words are not used any more but expressions may have changed as well, we say it in a different way now, this happens in greek as well. Another thing is that the NT with the exception of Luke who was greek was written by Jews, and they often say in greek what they would have said in Hebrew but in greek it may be confusing, and further on in English as well. Also people at that time used many allegories, metaphors, parables, (some writtings like Job and Song of Solomon are poems in Hebrew) whereas today we tend to be very precise in what we say. This is why we need pastors, teachers, scholars, theologists, historians to explain some things. I dont say this happens always.That is why personally I use many different Bibles if I am not sure of what something means. So I recommend people here on this site not to always trust their own perception of the Word of God but listen to others as well (this includes me), and read. Read.
God Blessings
It is interesting to consider even Paul mentioning at the temple for the "unknown god" the pagan writings talking of God being near to all of us ( Acts 17:28); as well as the Cretian poem talking about their own people being gluttons and other unpleasant attributes as being true testimony in that respect ( Titus 1:12).
As historical literature from that period of time between the O.T. and N.T. we can glean some events such as the Maccabees account of what the Jews did resisting Antiochus Epiphanes that Daniel prophesied about along who would have similar traits to the final Antichrist. Thus; earlier Bibles included such texts for historical but not spiritual application that were of the Protestant mindset; the Catholic church itself states in their own commentaries that certain things are stories and not based on fact. Even with the best literature we find grievous errors such as praying for the dead (necromancy) that is forbidden in the rest of scripture. There are spurious accounts of Christ as well after the Resurrection that are not doctrinally sound. What we do find of accuracy is basically a repetition of the 66 books of the Bible in certain passages; such as can be found as well in Islam and other writings. There is lacking a "thus saith the Lord" or any prophetic statement with clear fulfillment either at that time or in the future.
I know, but that was Jesus in a transfigured body, He had not yet ascended; He was saying to the disciples a celestial/spiritual body has not flesh and Bones, as they see Him. ------ (in a transfigured one)
It wouldn't have the same effect on the disciples if He were in a spiritual body.
LUKE 24:39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have."
I. CORINTHIANS 15:42 So is the resurrection of the dead also [with a different body].. It is sown in corruption [decay and ruin]; it is raised in incorruption [unending existence]:
I. CORINTHIANS 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness [sickness]; it is raised in power:
I. CORINTHIANS 15:44 It is sown a natural [animal life] body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
2 Thessalonians 2
King James Version
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, ***nor by letter as from us***, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 ***Let no man deceive you by ANY means***: for that day SHALL NOT COME, EXCEPT THERE COME A FALLING AWAY FIRST, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Consider verse 6
The four beasts before the throne show the continuing narrative in Ezekiel 1:5. These were and are still continually praising the Lord. The elders once again appear in verse 10 casting their crowns down and giving praise to God's attributes.
When we get to chapter 5; we see that the elders discuss being redeemed from every tribe tongue and nation (verse 9 and 10). So it would seem that they are representative of the whole church; or else a larger group was also included in the text and the way it is translated seems to hide it. I have heard that analogy; in any case clearly the reference to "kings and priests" such as represented in 1 Peter 2:9 and other scriptures makes it clear the whole victorious raptured group of saints from the church age are meant here. Other scriptures; however mention the warning of losing reward ( Rev. 3:11); and indicate crowns are rewards for specific things. Those who are raptured will recieve a crown for those eagerly looking forward to that Day ( 2 Tim. 4:8). Certainly; however those who make it in as through the fire ( 1 Cor. 3:15) will suffer loss; and many may not have crowns or be kings and priests during the Millennium. Those who have more fruit have bigger reward ( Luke 19:17-19); and some who hide their "talents" will lose even what they thought they had ( Luke 19:24). A similar parable shows that servant being cast into outer darkness; either the Tribulation or hell.
So we can barely enter heaven; or be a tare if not investing what He gave us and producing fruit. Food for thought!
Makes one think about how God connects to His Election in that (hour) where they are all of one mind in Acts 2, in the day of Pentecost being fulfilled.
Frankly I've never made that connection, and much is deception of the mind to deceive, e.g Trumpets, Plague's ... are deception's of the mind.
part 2
because the centuries long teaching that He died on a Friday and rose on a Sunday does not equate to three days and three nights in the tomb, as Jesus says explicitly in Matthew 12:40. The Friday to Sunday can be viewed as three days, but not three nights.
But as you say, we do need to think kindly of other believers who may not be from our own religious tradition and refrain from speaking of them as being unsaved, evil, deceiving, or fake. Only God truly knows the heart and mind of each believer. He knows if someone is truly in the faith and who is truly a heretic and outside of the true faith. He will help all who ask come to Him humbly asking for guidance and knowledge of true doctrine. He will supply the teaching and the influence from the Word or from a teacher/mentor He sends into someone's life, or leads one to a site on the internet that teaches sound doctrine, or to books/writings from history (long ago or in recent centuries) that will shed light on the doctrine one is seeking to learn more clearly. He is faithful and brings truth and answers to those who seek Him with a pure heart who loves the truth AND the brethren-past and present.
So, thanks Giannis for pointing this tendency out that is becoming more and more common in this generation of believers (those who resist learning from others (past and present) and who bad-mouth those who do not agree with their own private interpretation of a doctrine of our faith-those who despise doctrine (even the word) and tradition (even the word). I think that many of these people do not know how to distinguish between what Jesus was talking about as "traditions of men" and traditional doctrines of our faith passed down through the centuries, thinking anything that is older than this present "age" (last 100 years must be wrong because it is now a "traditional" teaching-therefore the tradition of man. But I believe that this thinking is both wrong and dangerous to those who hold to it. So I pray.
There are many emphasis on these verses:
1st Jesus is talking to covetous Pharisees. Jesus already knows their hearts. We have modern Pharisees today.
2nd A beggar in v20 & 21 is desiring to be fed, I think by using the word beggar and sores and crumbs, and dogs licking his sores means this person is in dire needs of help from a rich man whom he knew since the beggar was laid at his gate. This could apply to all kinds of good deeds work for God's glory today.
3rd Abraham's bosom must be a better place VS hell. This emphasizes there is indeed hell. It must be a true story and not a parable from Jesus Christ. Both person died-one comforted and the other tormented. Scary for this reality. We really need to examine ourselves.
4th v26 it appears you can see people in hell and from hell you can see people from Abraham's bosom. It is a great gulf fixed that you cannot just pass one place to the the other place. Shameful to see all people in hell at this point. I cannot bear to think how much I would cry to see our love one's in hell.
5th v27-28 talks about sending someone back to warned his 5 brothers about the reality of the tormented place where the rich man is experiencing. You cannot do that as well. One chance in life and we had 2,000 years of grace period to trust, have faith and believed in Jesus Christ alone.
6th So his brothers must be existing during Moses. We are here 2022 and we had plenty of warning from Paul who told us how to be saved. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
7th v30 You cannot cross from death back to life again. You only have one chance in life and when you die, you die pecker head. Everlasting torment is real.
8th last verse tells me you have someone like Moses sent by God, the five brothers have a chance to listen and if they don't, even if someone comes back to warned them from torment place they still will not change. We see more people today who are just not listening. Very sad. We have plenty of warnings. We pray!
There are Four Kingdoms of mentioned in Daniel 7. Many say the Four Kingdoms are:
1.the Babylonian Empire
2.the Medo-Persian Empire
3.the Greek Empire
4.the Roman Empire
I have heard it taught that the Apocrypha pertains to the Greek Empire oppression of Ancient Israel. Perhaps the Apocrypha was WRITTEN during that time and NOT that everything in the books of the Apocrypha happened during that time. Apparently some of the Books in the Apocrypha are ancient.
The latter Apocryphal books of the Maccabees reveal the early beginnings of the Roman influence / oppression of Ancient Israel (Roman-Jewish Treaty I Maccabees 8:17-20). But also the Book of Maccabees refer to Greeks wanting to Hellenize the Ancient Israelites to participate in sports and exercise (I Maccabees 1:14) and not study the Torah or take care of the Temple.
The Bible is The Word of God traditionally consisting of The Old Testament, The New Testament, and the Apocrypha. Some say the 14 Books of the Apocrypha were removed from American Bibles in the 1800's.
In many older American Bibles the Apocrypha was placed between The Old Testament and The New Testament because some believe the Apocrypha was written between the period between of The Old Testament and The New Testament.
The Greek word for Apocrypha is apokryphos means hidden. This Greek name supports the idea of a Greek influence on Ancient Israel. This is supported by the fact that The New Testament sometimes refers to the Roman influence / oppression of Ancient Israel.
The 14 Books of the Apocrypha are I Esdras; II Esdras; Tobit; Judith; The rest of Esther; The Wisdom of Solomon; Ecclesiasticus; Baruch, with the Epistle of Jeremiah; The Song of the Three Holy Children; The History of Susanna; Bel and the Dragon; The Prayer of Manasses; I Maccabees; and II Maccabees.
I am not saying that all that was taught in the early church centuries, the Middle Ages, the Enlightenment, nor in the past 500 years is absolutely correct. But there is much truth there, especially on the majors, as you state. These majors are the teachings that must be believed to be considered a practicing Christian. New believers, of course do not know all of these teachings yet, but those who read the word, learn from pastors, or other Christian teachers should know these teachings and believe them to be considered "in the faith". I am not going to itemize these teachings in this post, but I do recommend to others to study up on these "majors". And, yes, one's position of the exact timing of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection is not a major. But that He did die for us, was buried, and arose on the third day for us is absolutely a major and essential to a person's faith.
I do think it is good to learn about the timeline of Jesus' last Supper, sufferings, death, burial, and resurrection in order to have an explanation for those who question the veracity of the "majors" I mentioned above ...
continued...
Yes, the Kingdom of God is within you. The Kingdom of God IS you. What else but you did the Creator create and what else but you is His Kingdom? The Kingdom is perfectly united and perfectly protected, and nothing will prevail against It. Amen. Only in one's wildest dreams is there a power which can usurp it. To believe so is actually a form of denial, arrogance, and lack of faith, to put it bluntly. I have faith in this: God wills us be in Heaven, and nothing can keep it from us or us from it. Our wildest misperceptions, our weird imaginings, our blackest nightmares all mean nothing; they will not prevail against the peace God wills for us.
I have a few questions. What you said about the brain is interesting. Can you give me your opinion on how the brain and mind are related? Also, I'm not sure if you are utilizing/linking the Zodiac thing with spirituality or not. Perhaps some clarification on that would be helpful, if you don't mind.
Peace and blessings
God Is
There are important beliefs/doctrines in Christianity that are necessary for salvation like the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. But there are many insignificant ones that if one believes it this way and somebody else otherwise, it doesn't really matter. The date Jesus was crucified is not of any importance, and probably we shouldn't have spent so much time on it. Whether you believe it was Thurday or Wednesday or Friday doesn't change anything in your spiritual life. When we say that the truth will set one free we mainly mean that the truth which is that Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins and resurrected for our justification will set us free of our sins and from spiritual death. We can not generalize it for any disagreement we have with others. When you say that Jesus was crucified on Wednesday, that of what has it set you free personally? So I think you understand. There is a verse in Romans that says that the kingdom of God is not food or drink but peace, love and righteousness in the Holly Spirit. If you eat meat or not, if you drink wine or not has not any positive or negative consequence in your spir. life. Another scripture says that in Christ circumsision or not circumsision is nothing but new creation (is important). This doesn't mean that we can do or believe anything we like but there are important and insignificant things in Christ. One has to, as you say, rightly divide these things.
Another thing I would like to tell you is that the belief some have that all the millions of Christians that live now and the millions that lived in the past 2 th. years were useless really and had wrong beliefs and God chose us personally among those many millions to reveal His Truth is very dangerous. It's not only us in the faith. There are many millions of us who love God and look for the truth. Sorry to talk to you like this but I often find myself thinking in this way, and this is wrong. Again no offense meant. God bless you
See, the Kingdom of God is within you, you are the Temple, therefore, once a person stops looking at these parables as literal, but instead looks for the hidden meaning, the spiritual meaning that applies directly to the self, not the World stage, but Jerusalem is an aspect of you, Abraham is an aspect of you, Egypt is an aspect of you... then these storied develop into relevant psychological events that depict a phase of the nature of man vs the spirit in man.
So back to the You are the Temple of the Living God. That must mean what was in the Temple then, must be in you now... IF my theory is correct. Well, lets see. Is there an altar above fire? Define Fornix etymology...{search}
fornix (n.)
from 1680s in reference to various arched formations (especially in anatomy), from Latin fornix "arch, vaulted chamber, cellar, vaulted opening," probably an extension, based on appearance, from a source akin to fornus "brick oven of arched or domed shape" (from PIE root *gwher- "to heat, warm").
Is there a White Horse that Jesus appears on? Define Hippocampus {search}
hippocampus (n.)
c. 1600, a kind of sea monster, part horse and part dolphin or fish, often pictured pulling Neptune's chariot, from Late Latin hippocampus, from Greek hippokampos, from hippos "horse" (from PIE root *ekwo- "horse") + kampos "a sea monster," which is perhaps related to kampe "caterpillar." Used from 1570s as a name of a type of fish (the seahorse); of a part of the brain from 1706, on supposed resemblance to the fish.
2 for 2, and there is so much more... The Olives symbol refers to the medulla oblongata.
To wrap up I quote Jesus Luke 11:52
Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered
I agree with much of what you've posted: God is Love, the Kingdom of God is within you, the psychological war that takes place in your mind, it all ends and begins with your mind.
1John 4:7-8 "God is Love", "love is of God". If God is fear and hate also, then the door is open to the probability God's opposite, Satan is capable of love and hate also. I question though whether an opposite to God in truth/reality can even exist. Is there anything that can usurp the power of God, thwart His Will or separate His creations from the Love of Christ, even temporarily? To this I would say that God is not the author of fear, I am. I have chosen in my human mind to create unlike Him, and therefore have made fear for myself. I will continue to refer to James 3:11-12. The principle established here is things produce like things, i.e. Love creates Itself and nothing but Itself, Holiness Itself, Perfection Itself, Innocence Itself, Spirit Itself ( John 3:6). They have nothing in common with fear/hate, unholiness, imperfections, guilt, and flesh. To have faith in these opposites is a confused dualistic thinking mind. The water (truth) you mentioned is the same water in which one will never thirst again, John 4, and it cannot be contaminated with salt (lies), again James 3; which results in diluted truth. Yet James says that they can't flow from the same spring (mind). Thus it is obvious the impurities (salt) must be from my own mind.
Everything that exists in reality, and that which SEEMS to be real (truth), but isn't, is from the Mind of God or from a false opposing mind (mine), respectively. The source of everything, real or false is from Mind/mind, i.e. everything comes from thought; it is an idea. The mind can make the belief in separation from God very real and very fearful, and this belief is the "devil". It is powerful, active, destructive, and clearly in opposition to God because because it literally denies His Fatherhood.
to be continued...
Books of the Apocrypha
1 Esdras
2 Esdras
Tobit
Judith
Additions to Esther
Wisdom of Solomon
Ecclesiasticus
Baruch
Letter of Jeremiah
Prayer of Azariah
Susanna
Bel and the Dragon
Prayer of Manasseh
1 Maccabees
2 Maccabees
I do agree that we all need to be careful on what's being told to us, not only on this forum, but even in church.
However, if someone is just giving an opinion, why would they need scriptural proof to back up their opinion? An opinion is just that, an opinion. An opinion does not require proof. Now on the other hand, if someone is trying to give you a "Thus saith the Lord," and they don't back it up with scripture, that's a whole new story. But why scripture for just an opinion?
You say, "God is love but satan is evil and ppl will do evil things. God will only tolerate this up to a point," and you give no scripture for that, so are we to believe you are staying your opinion?
Please don't be upset by my reply. I just wanted to know why scripture backup is needed for an opinionated post?
The rest in my opinion are all pagan book. The KJV Bible is enough information for us to go to heaven. Read many comments here and many will give you their own opinion and interpretations. It is up to individual to do the study 2 Timothy 2:15-16..
Correction:
2 Peter 1:20-21
20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
What a great Intelligent Designer God and author we have. The Bible has full of righteous and true information. We are all reading the same KJV Bible.
Romans 16:17-18
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Words for THOUGHT:
Mark 8:34 .....Whosoever will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and take up HIS CROSS daily, and follow me.
John 19:17 And he BEARING HIS CROSS went forth to a place called the skull ....
The CROSS, that Christ bore and the cross we bear is not made of WOOD.
Simon bore the WOODEN CROSS; that sinful flesh DIED ON: Christ cross, and our cross, is much heavier; it takes the KNOWLEDGE of the Father to bear that cross.
God Bless YOU!
You, indeed, have had a hard life. I will pray for you today.
Dear Heavenly Father, Look upon Michael today and give Him renewed strength, health, and a happy heart. Bring financial blessing to Michael in a miraculous way so that he can look to retire with comfort after all of these years of hard work and poverty. You alone can bring this about, Lord God, so we ask this of You in the name of Your Son, Jesus, in whom are all of the treasures and riches of inestimable worth. Amen.