No problem, Jema, I am glad someone read my post as I do not assume that anyone will. I will certainly pray for you as you related your struggles in these areas. I hope others will pray for me in what I struggle with, too. Because I am partially disabled and cannot work for long periods of time due to asthma (exertion) and pain in my low back, feet, and shoulders, I need to take many breaks throughout the day. I am thankful I do not need to be on my feet on a concrete base for many hours like when I was teaching. But I do at times think that id do not get enough done in a day. But these breaks allow me time to read the Bible, pray with concentration, and participate here. So, how blessed is that!
I come from a family that values hard work and for people being able to get a lot done in a little time. That is the "standard" in my family growing up and has stuck with many of us in adulthood. Which can be a good thing. It becomes sinful when members of my family judge others as lazy who do not do as much work as others in our family do. I have a few older sisters who are very much this way. I don't let them bother me though, but it reminds me to let each of us choose for ourselves how we use our time our how fast or slow, short or long we work. This is certainly a work ethic that our family needs to part with because we are all getting older - all of us are between the ages of 50 and 71. Accepting that we are slowing down and not as strong in stamina or strength as in the past is part of the process of aging. We need to lay aside our "I can do things myself" for "I need help in doing this or that".
I have a friend who had a stroke 25 years ago and she has been able to be very active until about 5 years ago. She is now mostly bedridden with lots of pain in many joints. She is really down about this and needs prayers and help. Her husband just died last month after a long battle with cancer and being hospitalized for almost a year. I wish she would let me help her.
Greetings and love from our God the Father and Lord Jesus Christ.
"Let you heart be not troubled" we can all stumble in our walk, this is what fellowship is actually for, so that we can Keep each other in the faith. I may not quite have ears to hear yet but I do see a lot. I have always been a quiet, meek yet observant and inquisitive individual. But I am humble enough to admit that I am nothing but dust without God. I have had a very troubled past which God has saved me from and I think sometimes that people often forget about the spiritual war we are in. We are taught "it's not of works" which can be very deceiving itself because people tend to fall back in to the temptations we are told to avoid. I agree and accept the finished works of Christ but that doesn't mean I can sit back, put my feet up and drink my coffee. Quite the contrary I am now in debt to Christ and want to work daily "strive to enter" "pick up my cross daily" to show my Faith and constantly "examine thyself. ( James 2:18) "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." It's the one true Jesus I seek not the many impostors that have entered the world. I have tried to share my testimony on here too but I am struggling to shorten it to fit the characters required as I have had many different experiences that have all contributed to who I am today and how I came to Jesus for salvation. It really does show the extent that Jesus will go to just to find his lost sheep.
May the grace God guide you always and peace be with you in Jesus name.
All Churches have rules, and those rules put burdens on the congration.
Just as the people couldn't carry the rules put on them by the Pharisees.
The problem is they usually associate those rules as a part of salvation
Christ puts no rules on you, his burden is light and easy to carry.
Before the foundation of the world; God, though Christ spoke the words of his salvation for man.
God alway see what he has spoken AS IF IT has ALREADY HAPPENED.
Christ has NOT YET put all things under him, God told him he needs a HELPMATE, so he came in the fullness of time (as God's word were spoken that he would come) died and was resurrected, but by HIS RESURRECTION a helpmate came forth, his wife, flesh of his flesh, bone of his bone, his IMAGE, and she is going to HELP HIM, judge the world.
God has done the work, just ENJOY HIS LIFE, as his wife, and walk not in deception of HIS WORKS.
The sabbath is a day of rest from one's normal work responsibilities. As far as I know, attending services is not required of the Israelites on the Sabbath when I read the Law in Exodus and Deuteronomy. So worshipping God on Sunday in a church service is not sin. I think that we need to be balanced our approach to the Sabbath. Jesus walked and taught on the Sabbath but did not sin in any way. We are to take time to rest from work, not work from sun-up to sun-down 7 days a week. It is best for us to take a break from whatever our work is. When I was raising my sons and, being a stay at home mother, I worked for my family everyday, especially when the children were babies. I loved doing it, but I could not really take a day off from those responsibilities. But I found time during the days to rest and to have some time for quiet reading, prayer, and spending time with God consciously and purposefully. We attended church services on Sundays, which were so good for us.
But each person needs to do what doesn't offend their conscience.
Greetings and grace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
I'll try and keep it short as I can so that what I say will be easy to understand. After a life that I have lived I want nothing more than to please and serve God all day, everyday. 24/7. This is my only joy and my true (sabbath) rest. If I am not reading His word then, I am praying or speaking to someone about God. Things like facebook although is meant to allow people to communicate has only brought a disconnection between people from my own personal experience. Although I have faith in the finished works of Christ it's because of that is what transforms me from the old me to the new me. If there is no transformation then it becomes ( Mat. 15:8) empty lip service. Then I might as well just continue in fornication and pagan practices because, Hey ho Christ did it all for me. That last part was a bit of sarcasm, sorry.
I thank you for taking the time out of day to respond, I am really grateful
May God continue to guide you and peace be with you in Jesus name.
the "clouds" that is referred to in Rev.1:7, I am beginning to think it is an army/cavalry like I 1st suggested.
( Revelation 1:7) "Behold, he ((cometh WITH clouds)); and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen."
( Zephaniah 1:14-15 KJV) "That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of ((clouds)) and thick darkness,"
( 2 Thessalonians 1:7) "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven ((WITH his mighty angels)),"
( Revelation 19:14 KJV) "And the ((armies)) which were in heaven followed him upon ((white horses)), clothed in fine linen, white and clean."
The clouds are symbolic of those that have come to truth, we were resurrected with Christ, the NEW CREATION, being made ONE with him, by his resurrection.
I am just trying to be FULL of FAITH by remaining faithFUL and obey Jesus commands as best I can. I pray my name is written in the book of life. If I am one that is left behind then so be it. God' judgement is just and righteous and I am without excuse.
I thank you for your reply but my understanding isn't quite where it should be. You say cease from my works yet I am to walk in His statutes and judgements and DO THEM. I'm sorry for my lack of understanding but this confuses me. I just want to be a ( James 1:23) doer of the word and not a hearer. lol
Before you can be a doer of the WORD, you first have to be a hearer of the WORD.
You didn't understand what I said, because you were not a hearer of the word.
You and Christ were raised as ONE FLESH, a new creation.
Your the body, he's the LIFE and FAITH of the BODY, the DOER of the WORD is Christ, the WORD, you the body of the words that does works BY the WORD.
Ezekiel 36:27 I (the LIFE and FAITH) will put my spirit IN YOU (my body) and CAUSE YOU (my body) to WALK in my statutes, and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
Cease from your works (of your carnal mind, YOU DIED on the cross, only the NEW CREATION, you and Christ as ONE FLESH exist) and come into the sabbath rest, all the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Faith without works is DEAD, but it's NOT YOUR faith and it's not your works: but the faith and works of CHRIST IN YOU, the new creation, by the resurrection of Christ.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God is ALL ABOUT WHAT GOD HAS DONE.
By his words we are BORN AGAIN into the KINGDOM of GOD.
We were not there with him when he walked in the flesh 2000 years ago.
So, he takes us through those days, by studying his words, as if we were there, so we can come to the TRUTH of his works on the cross.
The disciples walked with him every day for 3 1/2 years and never understood a word he said.
We are no different today, because his words are veiled in symbols and parables we can not see what he is saying to us.
He told his disciples, after he arose, that he would leave and send the spirit of truth to them, then they would understand all things.
We only come to truth by studying his words and letting the spirit of truth tell us what they mean.
This is a growth process.
As we study we are faced with truths, that man has taught, that don't align with the word of God.
Now since God word says that man will believe other men, before he believes God, we have to rightly divide his word.
Most are lazy and don't want to spend time in the word of God, it's no effort for them to spend 10 hours watching tv or texting on their phone, but they cringe at spending 10 minutes in the word of God.
So they go to a brick and mortar church a hour a week, and are taught by other men, that were taught by other men, and then proclaim they know TRUTH.
Thank you for your response and patience with me, I really do appreciate it. I understand ( Ephesians 2:8) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" It is the obedience part where the confusion comes in. I no longer celebrate holidays or birthdays etc. But you say about going to a "brick and mortar church to be taught by other men" but this is not why I go. The word of God is my only authority. I attend a church because I walked a very dark path and my heart was a cold bitter angry one. And so in order for me to change it I must surround myself with 'loving' people. I understand that I have to "study to shew myself approved", I search scriptures everyday like the Thessalonians, but I also need to "fellowship" so that I can not "deceive myself" and be corrected in my error, be reproved to "examine myself to make sure I am in the faith." I have full faith in God, It's faith in myself I lack. Is going to 'church' on a Sunday adultery towards God? Do I keep the sabbath? I know Jesus is coming, I just want to be prepared like the 5 wise virgins.
Again I really do appreciate your time and patience with me. I know can be quite burdensome with my vast amount of questions and limited understanding. God bless you and peace in Jesus name.
Most everyone is looking for something that has already happened.
They won't believe Christ's words that he fulfilled ALL the prophecies.
Christ came the SECOND TIME as the NEW CREATION, CHRIST IN YOU, just as he said: I COME as a thief in the night.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is APPOINTED (by the prophecies) unto men once to die (on the cross of Christ), but after this the judgement (coming the truth through the word, you and Christ were RAISED as ONE).
1 Peter 4:17 For the time IS COME that JUDGEMENT (rightly dividing the words of God) must begin at the HOUSE of GOD ....
Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a SON over HIS OWN HOUSE, whose HOUSE YE ARE ....
You the house, Christ is the HOUSEHOLDER; you, the house only consist, because of the one that HOLDS YOU.
Your the BODY of CHRIST, you every movement and thought are OF HIM, and if you don't AGREE with him"
The wages are DEATH, instead of LIFE.
Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the SINS of many, and to THEM who LOOK for him he shall APPEAR THE SECOND TIME, without SIN unto SALVATION.
You need to study all the verses related to Christ resurrection.
The whole gospel is about a new covenant, not a covenant of rules, but a complete new creation (covenant), no longer man as a flesh and blood being made from dust.
BUT, a new creation of man being MADE ONE with Christ, a MARRIAGE, your the body, he's the LIFE, this is the gift of GOD, eternal LIFE by your marriage to the only ONE who has eternal life, JESUS CHRIST.
You don't have to quit driving cars are watching TV, but you do have to come to TRUTH of the resurrection of Christ and what happened to all creation by his resurrection, and that takes studying his word and letting the spirit of truth, GOD'S WORD reveal this truth to you.
Your brick and mortar churches won't teach you this truth, which is shameful, they teach a doctrine of YOUR WORKS, you have to help Christ save you.
They will not believe that you were married to Christ at his resurrection, YOU WERE MADE ONE, as he and his Father are ONE.
John 17:22 And the glory that thou gavest me,I HAVE GIVEN THEM, that they may be ONE, even as we are ONE.
I really do appreciate the patience you have shown me. I think I am beginning to understand. It came to me last night after a dream I had. I know Christ lives because he lives in me. And so it is not I who lives but Christ in me. By the way the church I attend does not teach a works based doctrine. They teach "not of works lest any man shall boast". From what you have been saying and what they teach at the church I attend has mirrored each other. It was my understanding that was the problem.
I thank you again for your time and the patience you have bestowed upon me.
"The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness," Zephaniah 1:14-15 KJV
Actually, it's a challenge to decipher the biblical enigma on: "Who are the dogs?
I see and know that you have knowledge of the Bible and both tried to answer the question, but like someone who looks to the Scriptures from outside of them to inside, and do not enter within them deeply, nor delve and immerse inside them, but like someone surfing on the surface of the water. In my view what matters is to enter and delve into the Scriptures to bring the true interpretation and solution to the biblical enigma : Who are the dogs in Revelation 22: 15 and Philippians 3:2?
The question remains open for all my brothers because the Word of GOD is not speaking of "pets", of course. What we are commenting by the Word of GOD is: "For without are DOGS... - Revelation 22:15, and Philippians 3:2 says: Beware of DOGS... ", but wait, Scriptures are not speaking of "pets", as was suggested in prior replies, so who are them? Who are the dogs?
To decipher the riddle and find the correctly answer to the question it seems a challenge, it is necessary to immerge into the Scriptures and delve into them to find and brings the solution to this enigma within the Bible, otherwise the answers may not match or fit with the Holy Scriptures, the source of Truth. This is a serious problem.
To decipher the riddle giving correctly answer to the question, it is necessary to enter into the Scriptures and delve, and immerse into them finding the solution to this enigma within the the Word of GOD. It's very interesting to decipher for us, I think.
You know that there are many things written in the Bible figuratively, or by allegory, that are very difficult to interpret, in my opinion a challenge that many people cannot interpret them really, or misinterpret, or even twist or distort them unfortunately.
My question was about "Who are the dogs according to the Rev.22:15 and Phil.3:2"?. Who the Scriptures are talking from?
I think it is very interesting to find the answer in the Bible itself. To decipher the enigma It means wisdom for us.
But what to say about Revelation 16:13? : 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like FROGS come out of the MOUTH of the dragon, and out of the MOUTH of the Beast, and out of the MOUTH of the false prophet.
THE QUESTION IS: WHY FROGS?
I'm not challenging anyone, it is the Bible that makes the challenge, I think it is very interesting to find the answer in the Bible itself, even JESUS said: (whoso readeth, let him understand: Matthew 24:15)- We all have to accept the challenge that JESUS made: Whoever reads understands. That's it.
I will comment on the frogs, but first you said let him who reads understand, that's it.
NO ONE but NO ONE will understand, without God CAUSING them to understand, there are people that have read his word for years and years and still don't understand.
It's all God's choice and God's work, and if you DON'T AGREE with him you can read non stop and will never understand.
When God's word says something and you don't AGREE with his word, what little light you HAVE BEEN GIVEN he will take away, if you AGREE then more light will be given ..... Matthew 13:12 ....
If one is studying and not going forward in TRUTH, he needs to examine his BELIEFS whether they aline with God's word, if they don't aline, REPENT of your sin of UNBELIEF, all other sins are covered by his blood.
Matthew 5:25 AGREE with your adversary (the WORD) quickly, while thou art in the way with him (the WORD), lest at any time he (the WORD) deliver you to the judge (the WORD), and the judge deliver you to the officer (death) and ye be cast into prison (the grave).
There are different places in the prophecies that say Christ will pour out the same plagues that were poured out on the Egyptians.
But, they want be LITERAL as they were in Egypt.
Hail mingled with fire was one of the plagues in Egypt, as was frogs.
Ezekiel 13:11 ....oh great hailstones shall fall, and a stormy wind shall rend it....
Ezekiel 38:22 And I will plead with him with pestilence and blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon many people that are with him, and overflowing rain, and great hailstone, fire and brimstone.
Isaiah 30:30 And the Lord SHALL CAUSE his glorious voice (his word) to be heard, and shall show the lighting down his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the FLAME of a devouring FIRE, with scattering, and tempest and hailstones.
So all these are SYMBOLIC of something that is going to judge God's people, as did the plagues judge the Egyptians.
John 5:22 ... God hath committed all judgement to the Son ...
So these symbols of judgement are symbols of Christ, and Christ is the Word, and the WORD(S) of God JUDGES US.
John 12:48 ... the words that I have spoken, the same words will judge you .....
Isaiah 28:2 Behold the Lord has a mighty and strong one (the WORD), which as a tempest of HAIL and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters, shall cast down to earth with the hand
Isaiah 28:3 The crown of PRIDE .....
Isaiah 28:5 In that day (of judgement when one believes God's word) the Lord (the WORD) shall be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty,unto the residue his people.
Isaiah 28:8 But they (the residue of his people) have also ERRED THROUGH WINE (explained in other scriptures, but is not alcoholic wine), and through strong drink (not alcohol) are OUT OF THE WAY (Christ is the way) .... they err in VISION and stumble in JUDGEMENT.
Revelation 22:15 that is a former secret book GOD the Father gave to JESUS , and Philippians 3:2 wrote by Paul te Apostle, they do no refer to "pets" o wild animals, of course. To say that is ridiculous and a mockery.
I would like to clarify that It's actually a Bible study and not a discussion, so who are the dogs acccording to the expresses Scriptures?
Until this moment I have been trying to bring the brothers to interpret the Scriptures as those who are inside them, and not as those who speak of them, but being not inside but on the outside looking at the Scriptures.
What is important for all of us is to identify through the Word of GOD who the dogs are mentioned in Revelation 22:15 and Philippians 3:2, which will be left out of the kingdom of GOD that will be established in this seventh and LAST millennium or seventh and last Day, the Day of the Lord.
Who are the dogs, then? Wouldn't the answer or identification of them be in the Old Testament? Wouldn't it be interesting to identify who the dogs are specifically, so that we are all protected from these dogs as Paulo wrote to the Church of Philippi? saying: Beware of dogs, ... Phil.3:2.
Again: It's actually a Bible study and not a discussion, so who are the dogs according to the expresses Scriptures? There are many here that know Scriptures deeply, so could anyone give us where is written who the dogs are in the Old Testament, and that we all know how to protect ourselves from them?
Perhaps someone here or many may have been "bitten" by a dog in the church they attend, and do not discern that a "dog" bit them. It is important that each of us is vaccinated, I mean, knowing who are dogs is as if be vaccinated and protected from them .
Giannis, Jordyn, Jesse, S Spencer (and other readers)
Greetings in Christ JESUS
Thank you for your reply
Giannis, you (maybe others too) think or imagine the "dogs" mentioned in the Word of GOD are aggressive, quite the opposite, they are those who give (maybe disingenuously and cynically) a "special treat" to people, smilingly hug people giving friendly pat on the back of the brothers. Terrible, very terrible, this kind of behavior of the "dogs" in the Church is danger, a stumblingblock, a trap, this kind of behaviour explains the why Paul Apostle warned the brothers, saying: Beware of dogs..., and JESUS asserted saying: Blessed are they that may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
How can brothers "beware of dogs" if they do not discern and identify not who they are?
NOTE:
Paul Apostle said to the brothers of Galatians that "Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children". This interpretation by allegory is very deep in material and spiritual terms. Impressive. And the dogs-Phil.3:2, who would be them?
I come from a family that values hard work and for people being able to get a lot done in a little time. That is the "standard" in my family growing up and has stuck with many of us in adulthood. Which can be a good thing. It becomes sinful when members of my family judge others as lazy who do not do as much work as others in our family do. I have a few older sisters who are very much this way. I don't let them bother me though, but it reminds me to let each of us choose for ourselves how we use our time our how fast or slow, short or long we work. This is certainly a work ethic that our family needs to part with because we are all getting older - all of us are between the ages of 50 and 71. Accepting that we are slowing down and not as strong in stamina or strength as in the past is part of the process of aging. We need to lay aside our "I can do things myself" for "I need help in doing this or that".
I have a friend who had a stroke 25 years ago and she has been able to be very active until about 5 years ago. She is now mostly bedridden with lots of pain in many joints. She is really down about this and needs prayers and help. Her husband just died last month after a long battle with cancer and being hospitalized for almost a year. I wish she would let me help her.
Greetings and love from our God the Father and Lord Jesus Christ.
"Let you heart be not troubled" we can all stumble in our walk, this is what fellowship is actually for, so that we can Keep each other in the faith. I may not quite have ears to hear yet but I do see a lot. I have always been a quiet, meek yet observant and inquisitive individual. But I am humble enough to admit that I am nothing but dust without God. I have had a very troubled past which God has saved me from and I think sometimes that people often forget about the spiritual war we are in. We are taught "it's not of works" which can be very deceiving itself because people tend to fall back in to the temptations we are told to avoid. I agree and accept the finished works of Christ but that doesn't mean I can sit back, put my feet up and drink my coffee. Quite the contrary I am now in debt to Christ and want to work daily "strive to enter" "pick up my cross daily" to show my Faith and constantly "examine thyself. ( James 2:18) "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." It's the one true Jesus I seek not the many impostors that have entered the world. I have tried to share my testimony on here too but I am struggling to shorten it to fit the characters required as I have had many different experiences that have all contributed to who I am today and how I came to Jesus for salvation. It really does show the extent that Jesus will go to just to find his lost sheep.
May the grace God guide you always and peace be with you in Jesus name.
I know you go to church and enjoy going.
All Churches have rules, and those rules put burdens on the congration.
Just as the people couldn't carry the rules put on them by the Pharisees.
The problem is they usually associate those rules as a part of salvation
Christ puts no rules on you, his burden is light and easy to carry.
Before the foundation of the world; God, though Christ spoke the words of his salvation for man.
God alway see what he has spoken AS IF IT has ALREADY HAPPENED.
Christ has NOT YET put all things under him, God told him he needs a HELPMATE, so he came in the fullness of time (as God's word were spoken that he would come) died and was resurrected, but by HIS RESURRECTION a helpmate came forth, his wife, flesh of his flesh, bone of his bone, his IMAGE, and she is going to HELP HIM, judge the world.
God has done the work, just ENJOY HIS LIFE, as his wife, and walk not in deception of HIS WORKS.
God Bless YOU!
The sabbath is a day of rest from one's normal work responsibilities. As far as I know, attending services is not required of the Israelites on the Sabbath when I read the Law in Exodus and Deuteronomy. So worshipping God on Sunday in a church service is not sin. I think that we need to be balanced our approach to the Sabbath. Jesus walked and taught on the Sabbath but did not sin in any way. We are to take time to rest from work, not work from sun-up to sun-down 7 days a week. It is best for us to take a break from whatever our work is. When I was raising my sons and, being a stay at home mother, I worked for my family everyday, especially when the children were babies. I loved doing it, but I could not really take a day off from those responsibilities. But I found time during the days to rest and to have some time for quiet reading, prayer, and spending time with God consciously and purposefully. We attended church services on Sundays, which were so good for us.
But each person needs to do what doesn't offend their conscience.
Greetings and grace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
I'll try and keep it short as I can so that what I say will be easy to understand. After a life that I have lived I want nothing more than to please and serve God all day, everyday. 24/7. This is my only joy and my true (sabbath) rest. If I am not reading His word then, I am praying or speaking to someone about God. Things like facebook although is meant to allow people to communicate has only brought a disconnection between people from my own personal experience. Although I have faith in the finished works of Christ it's because of that is what transforms me from the old me to the new me. If there is no transformation then it becomes ( Mat. 15:8) empty lip service. Then I might as well just continue in fornication and pagan practices because, Hey ho Christ did it all for me. That last part was a bit of sarcasm, sorry.
I thank you for taking the time out of day to respond, I am really grateful
May God continue to guide you and peace be with you in Jesus name.
the "clouds" that is referred to in Rev.1:7, I am beginning to think it is an army/cavalry like I 1st suggested.
( Revelation 1:7) "Behold, he ((cometh WITH clouds)); and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen."
( Zephaniah 1:14-15 KJV) "That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of ((clouds)) and thick darkness,"
( 2 Thessalonians 1:7) "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven ((WITH his mighty angels)),"
( Revelation 19:14 KJV) "And the ((armies)) which were in heaven followed him upon ((white horses)), clothed in fine linen, white and clean."
God bless.
The clouds are symbolic of those that have come to truth, we were resurrected with Christ, the NEW CREATION, being made ONE with him, by his resurrection.
Jeremiah 51:20-23
Obadiah 1:21
God Bless YOU!
I am just trying to be FULL of FAITH by remaining faithFUL and obey Jesus commands as best I can. I pray my name is written in the book of life. If I am one that is left behind then so be it. God' judgement is just and righteous and I am without excuse.
God bless you, brother.
Cease from your works, come into the sabbath rest, God's WORKS were finished from the foundation of the world.
You DIED with Christ on his cross, you were resurrect with Christ, a NEW CREATION.
You and Christ became ONE FLESH, married, you now have his name.
You now have his faith, and all the works, by your hand, he does through you.
Jeremiah 51:20-23
Obadiah 1:21
Ezekiel 36:27 And I WILL put MY SPIRIT IN YOU and CAUSE YOU to walk in my statutes and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
God Bless YOU!
I thank you for your reply but my understanding isn't quite where it should be. You say cease from my works yet I am to walk in His statutes and judgements and DO THEM. I'm sorry for my lack of understanding but this confuses me. I just want to be a ( James 1:23) doer of the word and not a hearer. lol
I thank you for your time and patience with me.
Peace be with you.
Before you can be a doer of the WORD, you first have to be a hearer of the WORD.
You didn't understand what I said, because you were not a hearer of the word.
You and Christ were raised as ONE FLESH, a new creation.
Your the body, he's the LIFE and FAITH of the BODY, the DOER of the WORD is Christ, the WORD, you the body of the words that does works BY the WORD.
Ezekiel 36:27 I (the LIFE and FAITH) will put my spirit IN YOU (my body) and CAUSE YOU (my body) to WALK in my statutes, and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
Cease from your works (of your carnal mind, YOU DIED on the cross, only the NEW CREATION, you and Christ as ONE FLESH exist) and come into the sabbath rest, all the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Faith without works is DEAD, but it's NOT YOUR faith and it's not your works: but the faith and works of CHRIST IN YOU, the new creation, by the resurrection of Christ.
God Bless YOU!
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God is ALL ABOUT WHAT GOD HAS DONE.
By his words we are BORN AGAIN into the KINGDOM of GOD.
We were not there with him when he walked in the flesh 2000 years ago.
So, he takes us through those days, by studying his words, as if we were there, so we can come to the TRUTH of his works on the cross.
The disciples walked with him every day for 3 1/2 years and never understood a word he said.
We are no different today, because his words are veiled in symbols and parables we can not see what he is saying to us.
He told his disciples, after he arose, that he would leave and send the spirit of truth to them, then they would understand all things.
We only come to truth by studying his words and letting the spirit of truth tell us what they mean.
This is a growth process.
As we study we are faced with truths, that man has taught, that don't align with the word of God.
Now since God word says that man will believe other men, before he believes God, we have to rightly divide his word.
Most are lazy and don't want to spend time in the word of God, it's no effort for them to spend 10 hours watching tv or texting on their phone, but they cringe at spending 10 minutes in the word of God.
So they go to a brick and mortar church a hour a week, and are taught by other men, that were taught by other men, and then proclaim they know TRUTH.
And we wonder what's wrong with the world.
FEW FIND THE WAY
God BLESS YOU!
Thank you for your response and patience with me, I really do appreciate it. I understand ( Ephesians 2:8) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" It is the obedience part where the confusion comes in. I no longer celebrate holidays or birthdays etc. But you say about going to a "brick and mortar church to be taught by other men" but this is not why I go. The word of God is my only authority. I attend a church because I walked a very dark path and my heart was a cold bitter angry one. And so in order for me to change it I must surround myself with 'loving' people. I understand that I have to "study to shew myself approved", I search scriptures everyday like the Thessalonians, but I also need to "fellowship" so that I can not "deceive myself" and be corrected in my error, be reproved to "examine myself to make sure I am in the faith." I have full faith in God, It's faith in myself I lack. Is going to 'church' on a Sunday adultery towards God? Do I keep the sabbath? I know Jesus is coming, I just want to be prepared like the 5 wise virgins.
Again I really do appreciate your time and patience with me. I know can be quite burdensome with my vast amount of questions and limited understanding. God bless you and peace in Jesus name.
I'm not saying don't go to church, I'm saying DON'T be DECEIVED, by man's doctrines.
Most in the churches, are taught by man, not taught by the spirit of truth.
You will know them by their fruit, the WORD that comes from their lips, are they God's truths or man's truth.
You just said we are saved by grace, they will say those same words, THEN ADD, what you have to do HELP Christ save YOU.
You were SAVED at Christ resurrection, not yet having seen the light of day, Christ didn't need your help then nor now.
It's finished WORK.
JUST BELIEVE, But you don't even do that, it alsois a gift of God.
Philippians 1:29 ... it is GIVEN to you, on the behalf of Christ, TO BELIEVE ....
God Bless YOU!
Most everyone is looking for something that has already happened.
They won't believe Christ's words that he fulfilled ALL the prophecies.
Christ came the SECOND TIME as the NEW CREATION, CHRIST IN YOU, just as he said: I COME as a thief in the night.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is APPOINTED (by the prophecies) unto men once to die (on the cross of Christ), but after this the judgement (coming the truth through the word, you and Christ were RAISED as ONE).
1 Peter 4:17 For the time IS COME that JUDGEMENT (rightly dividing the words of God) must begin at the HOUSE of GOD ....
Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a SON over HIS OWN HOUSE, whose HOUSE YE ARE ....
You the house, Christ is the HOUSEHOLDER; you, the house only consist, because of the one that HOLDS YOU.
Your the BODY of CHRIST, you every movement and thought are OF HIM, and if you don't AGREE with him"
The wages are DEATH, instead of LIFE.
Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the SINS of many, and to THEM who LOOK for him he shall APPEAR THE SECOND TIME, without SIN unto SALVATION.
God BLESS YOU!
You need to study all the verses related to Christ resurrection.
The whole gospel is about a new covenant, not a covenant of rules, but a complete new creation (covenant), no longer man as a flesh and blood being made from dust.
BUT, a new creation of man being MADE ONE with Christ, a MARRIAGE, your the body, he's the LIFE, this is the gift of GOD, eternal LIFE by your marriage to the only ONE who has eternal life, JESUS CHRIST.
You don't have to quit driving cars are watching TV, but you do have to come to TRUTH of the resurrection of Christ and what happened to all creation by his resurrection, and that takes studying his word and letting the spirit of truth, GOD'S WORD reveal this truth to you.
Your brick and mortar churches won't teach you this truth, which is shameful, they teach a doctrine of YOUR WORKS, you have to help Christ save you.
They will not believe that you were married to Christ at his resurrection, YOU WERE MADE ONE, as he and his Father are ONE.
John 17:22 And the glory that thou gavest me,I HAVE GIVEN THEM, that they may be ONE, even as we are ONE.
DON'T BE DECEIVE
God Bless YOU!
I really do appreciate the patience you have shown me. I think I am beginning to understand. It came to me last night after a dream I had. I know Christ lives because he lives in me. And so it is not I who lives but Christ in me. By the way the church I attend does not teach a works based doctrine. They teach "not of works lest any man shall boast". From what you have been saying and what they teach at the church I attend has mirrored each other. It was my understanding that was the problem.
I thank you again for your time and the patience you have bestowed upon me.
God bless you with peace and love in Jesus name.
"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven WITH HIS MIGHTY ANGELS,"
Maybe this is what the "behold he cometh with clouds" represent?
That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness," Zephaniah 1:14-15 KJV
Thank you for your replies
Actually, it's a challenge to decipher the biblical enigma on: "Who are the dogs?
I see and know that you have knowledge of the Bible and both tried to answer the question, but like someone who looks to the Scriptures from outside of them to inside, and do not enter within them deeply, nor delve and immerse inside them, but like someone surfing on the surface of the water. In my view what matters is to enter and delve into the Scriptures to bring the true interpretation and solution to the biblical enigma : Who are the dogs in Revelation 22: 15 and Philippians 3:2?
The question remains open for all my brothers because the Word of GOD is not speaking of "pets", of course. What we are commenting by the Word of GOD is: "For without are DOGS... - Revelation 22:15, and Philippians 3:2 says: Beware of DOGS... ", but wait, Scriptures are not speaking of "pets", as was suggested in prior replies, so who are them? Who are the dogs?
To decipher the riddle and find the correctly answer to the question it seems a challenge, it is necessary to immerge into the Scriptures and delve into them to find and brings the solution to this enigma within the Bible, otherwise the answers may not match or fit with the Holy Scriptures, the source of Truth. This is a serious problem.
To decipher the riddle giving correctly answer to the question, it is necessary to enter into the Scriptures and delve, and immerse into them finding the solution to this enigma within the the Word of GOD. It's very interesting to decipher for us, I think.
GOD bless
I know ordinary things in the word, such as dogs, can have hidden meanings that help us understand other verses of scripture.
I will attempt to uncover you mystery meaning of dogs.
Fowls of the air carry a hidden meaning that helps understand other scriptures.
Do you know the hidden meaning of the fowls of the air.
There are a great many things that have hidden meaning, so I have no doubt that dogs could be one of them.
God BLESS YOU!
You know that there are many things written in the Bible figuratively, or by allegory, that are very difficult to interpret, in my opinion a challenge that many people cannot interpret them really, or misinterpret, or even twist or distort them unfortunately.
My question was about "Who are the dogs according to the Rev.22:15 and Phil.3:2"?. Who the Scriptures are talking from?
I think it is very interesting to find the answer in the Bible itself. To decipher the enigma It means wisdom for us.
But what to say about Revelation 16:13? : 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like FROGS come out of the MOUTH of the dragon, and out of the MOUTH of the Beast, and out of the MOUTH of the false prophet.
THE QUESTION IS: WHY FROGS?
I'm not challenging anyone, it is the Bible that makes the challenge, I think it is very interesting to find the answer in the Bible itself, even JESUS said: (whoso readeth, let him understand: Matthew 24:15)- We all have to accept the challenge that JESUS made: Whoever reads understands. That's it.
I will comment on the frogs, but first you said let him who reads understand, that's it.
NO ONE but NO ONE will understand, without God CAUSING them to understand, there are people that have read his word for years and years and still don't understand.
It's all God's choice and God's work, and if you DON'T AGREE with him you can read non stop and will never understand.
When God's word says something and you don't AGREE with his word, what little light you HAVE BEEN GIVEN he will take away, if you AGREE then more light will be given ..... Matthew 13:12 ....
If one is studying and not going forward in TRUTH, he needs to examine his BELIEFS whether they aline with God's word, if they don't aline, REPENT of your sin of UNBELIEF, all other sins are covered by his blood.
Matthew 5:25 AGREE with your adversary (the WORD) quickly, while thou art in the way with him (the WORD), lest at any time he (the WORD) deliver you to the judge (the WORD), and the judge deliver you to the officer (death) and ye be cast into prison (the grave).
The wages of SIN (unbelief) is death.
I will start another thread on the frogs.
God Bless YOU!
There are different places in the prophecies that say Christ will pour out the same plagues that were poured out on the Egyptians.
But, they want be LITERAL as they were in Egypt.
Hail mingled with fire was one of the plagues in Egypt, as was frogs.
Ezekiel 13:11 ....oh great hailstones shall fall, and a stormy wind shall rend it....
Ezekiel 38:22 And I will plead with him with pestilence and blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon many people that are with him, and overflowing rain, and great hailstone, fire and brimstone.
Isaiah 30:30 And the Lord SHALL CAUSE his glorious voice (his word) to be heard, and shall show the lighting down his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the FLAME of a devouring FIRE, with scattering, and tempest and hailstones.
So all these are SYMBOLIC of something that is going to judge God's people, as did the plagues judge the Egyptians.
John 5:22 ... God hath committed all judgement to the Son ...
So these symbols of judgement are symbols of Christ, and Christ is the Word, and the WORD(S) of God JUDGES US.
John 12:48 ... the words that I have spoken, the same words will judge you .....
Isaiah 28:2 Behold the Lord has a mighty and strong one (the WORD), which as a tempest of HAIL and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters, shall cast down to earth with the hand
Isaiah 28:3 The crown of PRIDE .....
Isaiah 28:5 In that day (of judgement when one believes God's word) the Lord (the WORD) shall be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty,unto the residue his people.
Isaiah 28:8 But they (the residue of his people) have also ERRED THROUGH WINE (explained in other scriptures, but is not alcoholic wine), and through strong drink (not alcohol) are OUT OF THE WAY (Christ is the way) .... they err in VISION and stumble in JUDGEMENT.
I will continue in a second comment on the frogs.
God BLESS YOU!
Amen.
Revelation 22:15 that is a former secret book GOD the Father gave to JESUS , and Philippians 3:2 wrote by Paul te Apostle, they do no refer to "pets" o wild animals, of course. To say that is ridiculous and a mockery.
Thank you for your replies.
I would like to clarify that It's actually a Bible study and not a discussion, so who are the dogs acccording to the expresses Scriptures?
Until this moment I have been trying to bring the brothers to interpret the Scriptures as those who are inside them, and not as those who speak of them, but being not inside but on the outside looking at the Scriptures.
What is important for all of us is to identify through the Word of GOD who the dogs are mentioned in Revelation 22:15 and Philippians 3:2, which will be left out of the kingdom of GOD that will be established in this seventh and LAST millennium or seventh and last Day, the Day of the Lord.
Who are the dogs, then? Wouldn't the answer or identification of them be in the Old Testament? Wouldn't it be interesting to identify who the dogs are specifically, so that we are all protected from these dogs as Paulo wrote to the Church of Philippi? saying: Beware of dogs, ... Phil.3:2.
Again: It's actually a Bible study and not a discussion, so who are the dogs according to the expresses Scriptures? There are many here that know Scriptures deeply, so could anyone give us where is written who the dogs are in the Old Testament, and that we all know how to protect ourselves from them?
Perhaps someone here or many may have been "bitten" by a dog in the church they attend, and do not discern that a "dog" bit them. It is important that each of us is vaccinated, I mean, knowing who are dogs is as if be vaccinated and protected from them .
GOD bless and be careful
Greetings in Christ JESUS
Thank you for your reply
Giannis, you (maybe others too) think or imagine the "dogs" mentioned in the Word of GOD are aggressive, quite the opposite, they are those who give (maybe disingenuously and cynically) a "special treat" to people, smilingly hug people giving friendly pat on the back of the brothers. Terrible, very terrible, this kind of behavior of the "dogs" in the Church is danger, a stumblingblock, a trap, this kind of behaviour explains the why Paul Apostle warned the brothers, saying: Beware of dogs..., and JESUS asserted saying: Blessed are they that may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
How can brothers "beware of dogs" if they do not discern and identify not who they are?
NOTE:
Paul Apostle said to the brothers of Galatians that "Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children". This interpretation by allegory is very deep in material and spiritual terms. Impressive. And the dogs-Phil.3:2, who would be them?