Our Lord JESUS said: Mat.13:30-> In the time of harvest I will say to the reapers,Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Do ye not know that the saints shall Judge the world?and if the world shall be Judged by you,are ye unworthy to Judge the smallest matters?Know ye not that we shall Judge angels?(angels of the Churches) 1Corinthians 6:2-3.
By the way, JESUS said more: John 4:36-37:->36 He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37 And herein is that saying true,One soweth(JESUS sowed),and another reapeth.
And Daniel prophesied:Dan.7:22&27: ->22Judgment was (will be)given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom( Revelation 11:15-18. Take a look.). 27 And the Kingdom and dominion,and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
Daniel 2:44-47
44And in the days of these kings shall the GOD of heaven set up a Kingdom( Revelation 11:15-18), which shall never be destroyed: and the Kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
45Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver,and the gold;the great GOD hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter:and the dream is certain,and the interpretation thereof sure.
46Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face...Of a truth it is, that your GOD is a GOD of gods( Psalms 82:1-2&6-8 and John 10:34-36 combined with Isaiah 41:22-23),and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets,seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
Scripturally, excluding a person from the church is preceded by admonition and counsel; it is only employed in cases of bona fide heresy, obdurate divisiveness, or blatant, unrepentant sin; and it is a last resort. After excommunication, the relationship between the former member and the church naturally changes, and the "shunning command"-not to eat with such a person-may come into play. However, the church still has the responsibility to pray for the one being disciplined and to extend forgiveness when repentance is evident. Shunning, as defined as a refusal to speak to someone or a total severing of all ties, goes beyond what the Bible advocates.
PARTIALITY.
This is another evil we see amongst believers.
The chapter of James 2 covers this. ( James 2:1-26)
Let's take on just a few verses.
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
So, speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
We are to be at peace with one another, forgive one another, have mercy on one another.
Just a few references.
1 Thessalonians 4:9
Ephesians 4:32
Galatians 5:26
Galatians 6:2
Matthew 7:12
1 John 4:7
However, we don't lie or deceive one another for the sake of peace. The truth hurts sometimes but it promotes spiritual growth providing that the Christ spirit is in the person.
BELEIVERS SHUNNING OTHER BELEIVERS.
To shun is to deliberately avoid something or someone. In the Bible, the word shun is applied to evil. Job 1:8, Job 28:28, Proverbs 3:7-8Proverbs 14:16. So, shunning evil is good.
There is scripture that promotes excommunication. Matthew 18:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 3:14. but do we do it for harm or Good? What's the intent?
In any case, it would seem that extreme forms of shunning, such as considering someone "dead," utterly ignoring him, or refusing to acknowledge his existence, go beyond what Scripture commands.
After all, Jesus said that, when someone is put out of the church, he should be treated as "a pagan or a tax collector" Matthew 18:17. In other words, treat an intractable offender as an unsaved person.
How are we to treat the unsaved? With love and grace.
The "pagans and tax collectors" need to be evangelized. We are to love even our enemies ( Matthew 5:44).
The goal of excommunication and any form of shunning is restoration ( Galatians 6:1).
The purpose of any type of discipline is to prompt repentance and, ultimately, to reunite our fallen brother or sister with the church body. Being officially ostracized from the church, the sinner might be brought to repentance.
When the man in the Corinthian church later realized that he had sinned against God, he repented and came back to the church for forgiveness and reinstatement. Fellowship with the Corinthian believers was restored ( 2 Corinthians 2:6-11).
Isn't it hateful to ignore or shun other believers?
As it is written,"All Scripture is given by inspiration of GOD,and is profitable for doctrine,for reproof,for correction,for instruction in righteousness:That the man of GOD may be perfect,thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
As you know,our enemy"is wiser than Daniel;there is no secret that they can hide from him".Paul Apostle warned,saying:Put on the whole armour of GOD,that ye may BE ABLE to stand AGAINST the wiles of the Devil.
Think you(and many)also know that the MAN of sin,a Jewish MAN,son of perdition,will manifest himself very soon as messiah and God( John 5:43-47and 2Thessalonians 2:3-4and9-12,and mainly Revelation 13:11 and so on),so we all MUST be careful.Get ready.
However,the prophecy of Ezekiel is very clear:Ez.28:7-10-->7 Behold,therefore I will bring strangers upon thee,the terrible of the nations:and they shall draw their Swords against the beauty of thy wisdom,and they shall defile thy brightness.
8They shall bring thee down to the pit( Revelation 20:1-3),and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas.(peoples,and nations,and multitudes of all tongues-Re.17:15)
9Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee,I am God?but thou shalt be a MAN,and no God,in the hand of him that slayeth thee.
10Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised(he's a Jewish MAN)by the hand of strangers:for I have spoken it,saith the Lord GOD.
Re.12:9-12-->9And the great dragon was cast out,that old serpent,called the Devil,and Satan,which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth,and his angels were cast out with him.
10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven,Now is come salvation,and strength,and the kingdom of our GOD,and the power of His Christ:for the accuser of our brethren is cast down,which accused them before our GOD day and night.11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb,and by the word of their testimony;12Th
Concluding thoughts for now on the enemy of our souls.
I will attempt to wrap this up for now; although admittedly this is a subject which could easily call for many more postings. God in His infinite yet mysterious plans allowed for a created being to usurp 1/3 of the angels; and to deceive most of mankind throughout history. ( Matthew 7:13-14). Through the offspring mentioned in Genesis 6 he produced numerous giant beings (I can't see it being any other explanation) and therefore only Noah and his family were saved at the flood as it seems all the rest of mankind was corrupted genetically and by default morally beyond repair. (see Genesis 6:9 on Noah being "perfect in his generations"). He also later attempted the same thing on a more limited scale after the flood; resulting in Israel wiping out all the giants (with Goliath being the last one in the surrounding nations Israel had to conquer). Satan continued to attempt to wipe out all of God's people by the ordinance of Haman to wipe out all the Jews which was thwarted in Esther; the Holocaust and will almost succeed in Armageddon when half of Jerusalem is taken before Christ returns. He is the god of this world and Jesus didn't argue with him having control as a "usurper" type leader of all the Kingdoms of the world. Satan also will be given the limited short space of the last half of the Tribulation to more or less control the world but again he will fail to totally destroy the earth because God Himself makes the time short (see Matthew 24:22). Again; God is the one who allows these things; including the "strong delusion" He sends to decieve all those who didn't LOVE the truth but enjoyed unrighteousness ( 2 Thess. 2:11-12 rough translation). Once again at the end of the Millennium he has the final stand; which ends in his judgment cast into hell; and a mass of people as the sand of the sea; amazingly perishing despite seeing Christ on earth and living a utopian existance in the millennium.
Ultimately; whether it be Armageddon or the final Great White throne judgment; or the individual demise of every person outside of the faith since Adam fell; the fate of unregenerate man is horrible beyond imagination. The biggest problem is that we don't know who Christ is; the eyes of those under Satan's power are blinded ( 2 Corinthians 4:4). Once we can see clearly we will be on our face; so it is better to do it now than under compulsion at judgment. The righteous also are constrained but by His love to praise and worship the Lord. The Holy Spirit when we are fully surrendered will fill our entire being with praise.
For now; it wouldn't surprise me a bit if an atheist would have less of an issue with say capital punishment as many who call themselves Christian. The Antichrist himself is called the "lawless one" and indeed at least one atheist I met was from a worldly standpoint a very "moral" person. What the law does is serve as a "schoolmaster" ( Gal. 3:24) to bring people to faith.
This explains why it is possible for the vilest sinner (such as possibly occured with Jeffrey Dahmer) to change. As Christians we shouldn't have a double standard we can exact justice to protect the innocent but still have an attitude of unconditional love and forgiveness which wouldn't be comprehended by an atheist.
Anyway another good point is that Christ never said the adage that God helps those who help themselves. If there was any other way certainly God would not have allowed His son to go through the suffering on the cross; or turn His back on Him at that instant of time. This shows sin is DEADLY serious.
Also of course 1 Corinthians 11:30 shows that even God' speople can have a shortened life living in disobedience. God delivered a man over to Satan so that at some point before death he would repent (apparently the man came to his senses and eventually was restored to fellowship). Better to make it to heaven through fire than hell.
First I must say that questions as such"why God kills or asks others to kill, despite "do not kill",are made by many atheists that were members of the SDA,but now turned demonic atheists.
They well know the letter of the Bible and now use it in their demonic posts to deny GOD and to contradict His Word.In fact they are killers,killers of souls.
They know that when GOD said to the people of Israel through Moses," do not kill", it had already passed around 2500 years(two days and half of GOD's work),and the commandment was exclusively for the people of GOD,Israel. It was given in the OT, not in the NT,very different of the OT. See, GOD was creating a new environment for His seed, descendants of Abraham, when He brought His people out of Egypt. GOD separated His people Israel from the midst of the Gentilic peoples, from the midst of the idolaters and murderers peoples, actually He divided waters from the waters- Genesis 1:6-10-and then appeared the dry land-Israel.
Now see,around 2500 years before GOD's commandment Cain had killed Abel.Who commanded Cain do it?It was not GOD,so who? It was the father of Cain,the Devil,a former Cherub,former ruler of Eden,also father of the current atheists and false Christianity and others adherents of devilish religions.
In the other hand,after GOD brought Israel from Egypt and placed the people in the Promised Land,there GOD established the Law and rules to discipline the people and free them from all the SATANIC influence they carried with them from the Gentile, specially from the Egyptians and their satanic idolatries.Desobedience, i.e. witchcraft,it would be punished in the Promised Land,even to the death penalty(Compare: Luke 12:4 and Deuteronomy 32:39.By the way,GOD IS GOD).
This battle started when the Cherub which GOD have placed as a ruler of Eden(now called SON OF PERDITION and MAN OF SIN,the Devil and Satan)planned to USURP GOD's creation and to create a specific world for he himself- Matthew 4:8-9.
Thank you, brother, After the first resurrection, their judgement and rewards, Revelation 20:4 and after the 1000 years is the day of judgment for the rest of the dead. Daniel 12:2John 5:28-292 Corinthians 5:10Revelation 20:11-15.
This is our hope, and the promise God has given to us 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, those who are not the chosen and faithful in the first resurrection sleep in death until the day of judgment for all who have lived, Revelation 20:11-15.
The first man was made a living soul; the last man was made a quickening spirit.
MAN MADE ONLY AS A LIVING SOUL
The Word,GOD Himself,Who is from everlasting to everlasting, self-executing,He has in He Himself the project written since Eternity how to make man in His image,but GOD is Spirit,how could man see the image of His Spirit?It's impossible unless the Spirit be made physically.
The Word-the Word is GOD-GOD is Spirit and a Person,He knew it would be impossible He be known and seen in Spirit,even being a Person in He Himself as Word,so when the time arrived in to make man in His image and likeness,through His invisible Spirit and own Person as manifested Word,two distincts Persons,then He said:Let US make man in OUR image,after our likeness.
The Person of GOD as Word still was in His bosom.The Word had not still been made flesh,then was only a man made of the dust. With the revelation of the Word was given life to the man,through the Word was breathed into the nostrils of man the breath of life; and man became a living soul from the beginning until JESUS.
A MAN MADE AS LIVING SPIRIT-THIS ONLY AFTER JESUS
GOD had planned to make man in His image,but how?once He was Spirit and only One,as whether was alone?First He needed to make an image from He Himself and that's what GOD did with the birth of JESUS.JESUS was born in the turn of the fourth to the fifth Day,in the turn of fourth to the fifth millennium.JESUS was no longer in the bosom of the Father,the Word- Hebrews 1:1-4.
With the birth of JESUS,GOD could fulfill His wonderful promise to make man in His image,a quickning spirit,as planned.From JESUS until now passed more 2000 years,so we are at the turn of the sixth to the seventh and last Day, the Lord's Day,or seventh and last millennium,the millennium of GOD's Kingdom- Revelation 11:15-18,so in fulfillment of what says the Word,the dead shall be raised incorruptible-1 Cor.15:52-, and we that are alive shall be changed- Philippians 3:20-21.
You will receive different understandings of this. This is something you will need to pray and study for your own conscience. There are some things to question. Is Luke 16:19-31 a parable or is it something that truly happened? Study chapters 15 and 17 and consider what Jesus is teaching.
One thing that influences our understanding is the Greek philosophy of the immortal soul. When we die do we sleep in death until resurrection or do we go to heaven or go to a burning hell for eternity? What does scripture support? Does scripture say we are awake in death?
My understanding is we sleep in death until we are resurrected, and the gift of immortality is not given until resurrection to those chosen and faithful. Luke 16:19-31 is a parable, and the context of this chapter is the love of money and stewardship, Jesus was addressing this to the Pharisees who loved money, "No servant can serve two masters".
Today we covered a book (by Ryrie called Balancing the Christian Life") and the chapter about Satan. There was too much to cover in one study; indeed I could see how a half dozen studies would be needed to examine just the main avenues the enemy of our souls uses to afflict us. The scripture on him coming to steal; kill and destroy was mentioned; along with his techniques.
As the "accuser of the brethren" ( Rev. 12:10) there is no doubt that accusations have been something he has lengthy experience on as it is first observed in the book of Job. (See Job 16:2 where he calls his friends "miserable comforters"). It isn't just coincidence or happenstance that Satan pummeled Job so mercilessly. As was also brought out in the study which we should all know Satan can do nothing without God's permission. The book generally talks about people who think too little and those too obsessed with the wiles of the enemy. The fact that he could assail Paul an Apostle of God; and get into Peter's mind when our Lord had to rebuke him and say "get behind me SATAN" ( MAtt. 16:23) should be a reality check that anyone can be taken out by the enemy should God allow it.
Of course the concept of the "legal power of attorney" that Christ has based on His blood sacrifice and atonement for His children gives us assurance of salvation; but often the Lord uses the enemy to test our faith in this wicked world system.
There is danger of those having false assurance of salvation which is evidenced by bad fruit ( Matt. 7:16); however when a Christian sins the enemy will plant all sorts of terror; accusations; insecurities; etc. in our minds. Godly sorrow leads to repentance ( 2 Cor. 7:10); but if we don't go to the Lord when we first sin the enemy is given free reign more or less to mess with our minds. Thus in my experience even if I went headlong into sin knowing the torment the enemy would cast my way is strong incentive to stay away.
I may have discussed this topic in a previous post. Whether or not we consider "free will" to be a factor or not as to our immediate future; there is no doubt that things will end up with the Tribulation; the Millennium rule and final judgment followed by the eternal state. It is clear scripturally that almost all prophecy is conditional in some way; the fact that God does nothing without warning by one or more Prophets ( Amos 3:7). A prime example of this is with Israel and Judah who more often than not missed the mark whether it was the kings; prophets; priests or everyone else in society. Psalms is rife with examples of God's chastisement of the righteous ( Psalm 107 is one good example of this). We even see it with the other nations such as the Amorites and later in the book of Jonah the Ninevites who were given a lengthy respite of several generations before judgment finally came down as mentioned in the book of Nahum.
The statements in the New Testament such as the prophecy of Agabus shown in Acts 11 and 21 showed famine to come and later Paul's imprisonment. In the first case it has been brought to my attention that perhaps that famine either didn't occur or perhaps less severe because of preparations or repentance. That was what my former Pastor stated; not sure if anyone knows the history better than I do. As to the second circumstance; Paul was constrained to be obedient and bold. There wasn't a mandate it seemed for him going to Jerusalem although it seemed he was aware of it being part of God's plan. Perhaps the implication was martyrdom; after all Paul was no stranger to prison.
I tend to look at the "reap what you sow" context works as a sort of guarantee; like prophecy you can be certain that sin will bring forth punishment and trouble even in this life as the end of Proverbs 13:15 indicates. For God's children in rebellion it is only He who can bring real change but the wicked are lost.
In the Old Testament; there were 2 types of roles for a Prophet. In 1 Chronicles 21:9-13 we have Gad who is David's "seer".
He was given the task of telling David after the Satanically inspired census that there were 3 punishments that would result.
He had no need at that time apparently to mention what the punishment was for as David apparently realized the error of his ways. That is different than Nathan the Prophet at the time he took Bathsheeba as his wife and had Uriah the Hittite set up to die on the front lines in 2 Samuel 11. It would seem that Proverbs 6:34 showed Solomon's wisdom in avoiding showing feigned favor to the husband of a woman someone else is involved with; perhaps it was inspired from what happened in part with David and his mother years previous.
The second role was more of a general statement of future events covered in much of the "major prophets" such as Daniel; Jeremiah; Isaiah and Ezekiel and the minor ones (with smaller overall text) such as Zechariah; Zephaniah; etc.
I am no expert on the office of Prophet today but it seems cessationists may say a Pastor teaching from the Word is also in that type of ministry. I would also say that those who use the Word only as a warning could be in that category. The controversy is if these "signs and wonders" gifts have ceased. I would first eliminate all the pretenders who clearly make things up from their imaginations and false prophets and those who have no factual basis or vary vague statements about persons or events that are very subjective. We are also warned that should someone say something that doesn't come to pass OR that DOES but incites us to worship a false God is to be ignored and kicked out of any church if they try to do this. (See Deut. 18:22 and Deut. 13:2).
We must also avoid fear of things to come. Someone telling the truth should offer some hope even in the worst warnings. The biggest red flag is always predicting prosperity.
Re.6:2-And I saw,and behold a white horse:and he that sat on him had a BOW;and a CROWN was given unto him(He is a Prince of GOD):and he went forth conquering,and to conquer.
Thine ARROWS are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies (enemies of JESUS,anti-JESUS,Antichrist;whereby the people fall under thee- Psalm 45:5.
Isaiah 7:22-24
22...he shall eat butter:for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land(the remnant-144K) Question:The rebel Israel was banned from their land and was spread around the whole world from year 70 AD until 1948,but from now on?being ruled by a false God,a false messiah?- Revelation 13:11-18).
23 And it shall come to pass in that day(the current seventh and last Day,seventh and last millennium)that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings,it shall even be for briers and thorns.(because are good for nothing)
24 With ARROWS and with BOWS shall men come thither; because all the land shall become briers and thorns.
Isaiah 45:2
2Thou art fairer than the children of men:grace is poured into thy lips:therefore GOD hath blessed thee for ever.
3Gird thy Sword upon thy thigh,O most MIGHTY, with thy glory and thy majesty.(He's a Prince of GOD)
4And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness;and thy right hand shall TEACH thee terrible things.
6Thy throne,O God(GOD the Father, GOD Son and(God of the earth- Revelation 11:4),is for ever and ever:the sceptre of thy kingdom is a RIGHT sceptre.
7Thou lovest righteousness,and hatest wickedness:therefore God(God the Father/God the Son),thy God,has ANNOINTED thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Zech.4:11-14
What are these two olive trees upon the right and left side of the candlestick?
What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
Knowest thou not what these be?
These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth
English is not my native language,for me it's harder to speak of the theories of man-made than to speak of the Word of GOD.
To those that say age of the Earth is around 14 billions of years,we can counter argue that the number is not accurate,although to the common man it could be, the gods of this world(the common men made of the dust of the earth- Genesis 2:19)have blinded the minds of them which believe in them,believe in them which trie to plagiarize the science of the Most High and Almighty GOD, but the best of their conceptions in this field is nothing more than foolish conjectures and deceitful theories given by man-made scientific apparatus.
What we belivers must say to the atheists is that the age of the Earth is much much more than that billions of years age they claim.This assert lefts them very astonished,of course.What we must say to the atheists in the reply, is that the age pointed in their posts is the maximum limit that man-made scientific apparatus or measuring equipments of the scientists is ABLE to measure.So it has nothing to do with the age of the Earth.We could say unto them or would say that for measuring the age of the Earth the men need to invent a scientific apparatus more qualified and ABLE to measure beyond or over of what has been measured by the scientists to this date, then the false current theory of the Earth's age will be changed for a new theory.I'm sure they will never get do it first because the Universe is a GOD's secret,second because they not know that the Devil's world in which they are living will END now,even now,from now on,it has been pre-determined to start in this current decade,it with great and traggic destruction as was previously prophesied-confirmed by Revelation 11:18-,whereof GOD has given assurance unto all men in His former secret book of Apocalypse-Re.1:1-,sealed with seven seals,which were revealed to JESUS and were broken and opened by Him around 65 years after His ascension.
Thank you for your reply, I understand archangels are high-ranking angels and are called princes and Michael is the only one in the bible who is called an archangel. Like in the military, the word would be given to the general/archangel and his voice is who the angels and us would hear. Michael is at the top ranking as we see in Revelation 12. I do not see an angel name or rank that could be applied to Jesus.
My understanding of 1 Thessalonians 4:16 the announcing of Jesus coming will be the actual voice of the archangel and the last Trump, whether it is Michael, looks like it will be, but I do not know. The question I asked Oseas, he seems to say Michael will come before Jesus, not sure of the meaning of that. I hope this makes sense and thanks for your reply.
Archangel simply means, "over the angels", the term Michael is given to Christ in a "military" type of connotation, Lord of Hosts. When Christ comes again, the voice of the "Archangel" simply means he is executing his authority to "gather the troops", so to speak. It is a name used for Christ when executing his authority over the masses of angels which will "gather together the elect from the four winds of the earth".. Math 24.31
Who comes first, Michael or JESUS? It's very important, for in this current time, yes, even now, after around 2000 years or after two GOD's Days- Hebrews 1:1to4- so it is
as the lightning that cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall the coming of the Son of man be. Get ready- Matthew 25:10-, knowing that only lamp- Psalm 119:105-is not suffice to enter in the kingdom of GOD - Matthew 7:21-27 and Malachi 4:11-14.
Michael the archangel is one like unto the Son of man, the difference is that Michael is a warrior, JESUS the Savior, He is the stone which is become the head of the corner. There is no salvation in any other(except in JESUS Christ):for there is none other NAME under heaven given among men, whereby we MUST be saved.
JESUS/JOSHUA warned: ... no man cometh unto the Father, but by me, so Adonai, Jehovah, YHWH, Yahweh, HaShem, Yehovah, Elohim, Yahusha , YEHshia, YEHvah, ten supposed and fictitious names, better, NICKNAMES of GOD, added in the Jewish Bible, and inadvertently copied into the Gentile Bible by the translators, they all are good for nothing.
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. But who comes first that will cause to happen Great Tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. My Lord JESUS made it very clear, saying: Except those days (this current time) should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
A false messiah is at door, he will manifest himself soon- Revelation 13:11-14 combined with John 5:43-47-AN IMPOSTOR- , he was born decadas ago, understand? It is he the God of the Jews- 2Thessalonians 2:3-4.
My Lord JESUS warned: If any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; BELEIVE IT NOT.
Daniel 12:1->1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time(because the archangel Michael stands up): and at that time(the current time-the seventh and last millennium or the seventh and last GOD's Day), thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book (according Re.7:1-14.Take a look). JESUS prophesied, saying: Matt.24:15 & 21:
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
21...then shall be great Tribulation(Dan.12:1& Acts 14:22),such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time(to this current time, time of the last GOD's Day),no, nor ever shall be.
By the way, it's very important to know who comes first: Michael or JESUS?
Michael the archangel is one like unto the Son of man, the difference is that Michael is a warrior, JESUS the Savior, He is the stone which is become the head of the corner. There is no salvation in any other(except in JESUS Christ):for there is none other NAME under heaven given among men, whereby we MUST be saved.
It is very important to know who comes first: Michael or JESUS?
Daniel 12:2
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Paul prophesied: 1Tess.4:15-17
15 We say unto you by the Word of the Lord,that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven(from the 3rd heaven,we the believers are still in the 2nd heaven-Eph.1:3-8 combined with Phil.3:20-21)with a shout,with the voice of the archangel,and with the trump of GOD:and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds( Isaiah 60:8, and 1Corinthians 15:51 combined with Phi.3:20-21 and Re.5:8-14), to meet the Lord in the air(in the 3rd heavenly environment-3rd heaven-far above the second heaven- Luke 20:35-36 combined with Mat.25:6): and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (Where?-Re.11:15-18 and 5:10, and Mat.5:5).
Daniel 12:3
3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (The stars were made by our GOD since the beginning- Genesis 1:16-made with own light given by GOD for them to shine in heaven(Eph.1:3-8), but the Greater Light is JESUS, and the Lesser Light is the person of the Holy Spirit- John 15:26 and 16:12-15. Take a look).
You have not offended me at all, saying what you truly feel is what we should all do. I feel most all on this site do this without any intent to offend. Like you said we are many members, but one body and it is not for our glory, but all the members working together for the glory and grace of God which is given us by Jesus Christ.
I look at discussions as an opportunity for the truth to be revealed to us if done in love and respect and if we are open to it and humble ourselves and not with the attitude, we already know the answer, that is what I love about this site. I understand what you have said and thank you for that.
Thank you for your responses. I'm seeking Truth and will continue to thank. I sincerely appreciate it. I been lied to my whole life in school and churches so I question everything but it has given me a passion for the Scriptures and to learn new words and languages.
"And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely./And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him./And they laid their hands on him, and took him."
God is love and it has a token: a sign such as what the Word become flesh indicates by the virgin birth. A kiss is also a token as the Song of Solomon describes the sensation, "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: For thy love is better than wine. Because of the savour of thy good ointments Thy name is as ointment poured forth, Therefore do the virgins love thee."(The S.1:2-4). All the tokens of love, like overtones in music flow out when love is expressed between Christ and the bride. Fruits of the Spirit are equally felicitous analogy to love of God for Man. Moses expressed it thus: "For my name is in him."(Ex.22:21) Christ earned a name above every other name, which like precious ointment blesses the embrace which not for once but for ever more. "It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;."(Ps.133:2).
Against this we read that Judas kissed his master he was followed by men with murder in their eyes. So Jesus, "Said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?"(v.48)
Psalm 133 compares the blessings come down as a precious ointment so brotherly love is a synonym for unity. When Judas kissed it was pushing the panic button that "And they all forsook him, and fled." Mark mentions of one disciple, "And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:/And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked"(vv.50-52)
Till May I shall be taking time out so my posts shall be few and far between.
Absolutely, All glory definitely should go to God.! Your right, I should have asked Gigi & normally I would yet I had just finished reading your responses to another & felt led to ask you. I greatly appreciate your response. If speaking to others about His word I believe we are to pray & God will guide our words, otherwise we, as mere humans, could say the wrong thing at wrong time. Been there done that. Not a good idea.
What we do, especially before being saved, is all forgiven & He won't hold against us. All we go through strengthens us as we grow wiser in His word & for His purpose to lead others to Christ. Believers are guided by His spirit to speak His truth. That's His will for all.!
So if He's calling you to do so please, don't be ashamed/worried what others will think or do. He is the one we are to fear. I regret one time He led me to talk to a lady & I shrugged it off. She passed away 3-4 days later. Now, when He leads me (especially w/my dreams) I follow through. Then I'm amazed by His work when 'said person' starts to change. Praise God.!
Yet at work, I always speak in a way they know I'm a believer. i.e., saying Lord willing, God forbid, Jesus help me or even tell them "I will pray for you" or even wearing my TCU hat while driving the company truck (I live in midst of Mormons).! They are all seeds, God sows in His time.! Plus, I don't get involved in idol gossip & won't lie. I think you definitely have a God given talent & are blessed. Thnx again
"But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all."
This was what bravado where oath of man falls contrary to the sovereignty of the word so a mighty warrior like Jephthah is shown as wimp and St Peter proved to be no less. Jesus showed why. " Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."(13:31). Jesus as the fulfilment of Law places all events consequently in his deity as well as in his humanity. "I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil./For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." At the outset of his earthly he presented the doctrine of his Father and condemned the doctrine of man as coming from the devil. (John8:44). From the manner the disciples could not understand him the Spirit shows why. It is not the words themselves as the controversy over KJV or other translations have raked up but the simple reason their flesh was weak. Even in our times imposter church keeps man from loving God with all might and will all their heart. "Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word."(John8:43) They literally follow the scriptures and flat earthers for example, they may quote," It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth," Does that mean the earth is one? (Is.40:22).
"In thee is the fountain of life" Jesus said "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life./.... Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father."(John6:63-65; Ps.36:9) In the same night the disciples will fail their master at Gethsemane and forsake him. "My word " speaks of Christ's spirit of obedience and was for the glory of God. So abiding life means walking with him and understanding His will concerning us. That is true Light
In continuation to the previous post Jesus knew beforehand that his disciples would flee from him in 'the evil hour. As it was written of him in the scriptures they were also written and in the same quote from Zachariah we read thus, "Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones." The eleven disciples are 'the sheep' mentioned there. By the principle of Association the little ones include us as well. We received the gospel of salvation as 'the little ones'. We were called before the worlds began but how did we receive it?"and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;/And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen"(1 Co.1:27-28)
God chose man and not nations. "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."( 1 Co.10:11)These are examples for our spiritual instruction
The point we need see here is the word of God is given to us to profit withal. "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal"(1 Co.12:7) This shall explain the Law of Gradation where all things are held together in Christ. Moses doubled for Jesus and how the Spirit has organised his going up the mount we have here in v.26. "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives." The mount of Olives is a sign. Jesus was taken in because as the word of God had foreshadowed the evil hour was to manifest, as the golden calf leading to the imposter church of our times, and many other events all these leading to the final battle. (Re.19). These kangaroo events teach us, "There is nothing new under the sun.(Ec.1:9)"
"And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered."
I shall not detail what I have mentioned of this quote from Prophet Zechariah (13:7) while I coverd Matthew. The point is simple. Jesus as the Word become flesh obeyed his God completely so much so he knew the evil hour closing in on him, down to the exact minute. Jesus says further down in this chapter, "I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled."(14:49). Luke present us one curious aspect of time. "When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness."( Luke 22:53). The power of darkness also has been at work equally as the word that God commanded, "Let there be light." Why did Jesus Christ manifest? "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."( 1 John 3:8). So both good seed and tares growing in the field is nothing to marvel at. While Moses was with God down below the golden calf being set up was no coincidence. The evil work had succeeded throwing off some from the fellowship of God with Man. Moses as a double for the Son went up even as Jesus' Ascension gives it as a kangaroo event. So what we find of the Church of Rome setting up their golden calf is no brainer. The ten spies who brought evil report and brought God to intervene (Nu..14) we have even now as Evangelical Right, lining up behind a captain as bizarre as the Pied Piper of Hamelin. "And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt."(14:4). New Canaan is impossible for the reprobate minds. The point we need see here is the word of God is given to us to profit withal. (1 Co.12:7)
The three points you make are sound. Serving God according to the grace given to me I serve in my 80+years. I work with more zeal because the word of God that I read as child,- and still read as the word meant for our spiritual food; so whatever insights I receive daily I share in this forum. I have a word ministry to which I am equally devoted. Am I looking for readers. No I am not. It is God to whom I am committed my life so I leave what is not in my control alone. Let every one looks to his/her own salvation.
All glory goes to God; although I am glad if it is helpful. I am trying to promote reading of scriptures so always trying to find something new there. Gigi clearly has greater depth and more precise details related to historical context; a far better writer than I. My style is very swift with little if any preparation; although I have done a lot of thinking about things in my own life which I am able to rapidly assimilate.
My gifting is in discernment and sadly I have still much softening needed in my heart and soul; partially due no doubt to the divorce I had to go through the better part of 10 years ago. My views against remarriage when a spouse is alive isn't something I'm going to push on this site but I know the Lord has given me another specific calling to warn others about the subject. It is risky mentioning this as there are some who I love in Christ who have been offended but I must speak what I believe He has given me to say.
I suppose I could use prayer that I can somehow be bolder sharing on my job; although often I'm too busy working fast paced in my food service work. If the Lord tarries once my elderly parents (in their 90s) have passed then I probably will revert back to spending more of my time witnessing; so that is part of the reason I belt out so much stuff now; along with whatever writing talent the Lord has given me.
I can only hope that as Daniel states some will shine as the stars in the sky (or firmament- Daniel 12:3) as a result of some message whether it is myself or someone else at this site or elsewhere. The true experience of being filled with the Spirit I contend is rare and you have to search like it for gold and eventually you will begin to be able to know when it is present.
You will see it in others mainly; and is in a minority of professing believers. Again I appeal to the scriptures on running for the prize ( Philippians 3:3) and even Paul said it can be forfeited ( 1 Cor. 9:27; see also Revelation 3:11).
Now for a completely different discussion. Christians have argued about whether we should use humor or if God has a sense of humor. Given the verses about God laughing at the calamity of the wicked (such as Psalm 2); we need to be careful if we ask the Lord this question as well as with our intentions.
My experience (hitting the big THREESCORE this month) shows me that humor may be best served to lighten the burdens of our everyday annoyances; and SOMETIMES certain situations involving others can show the folly of this life. It is often better not to know the individual mentioned. Prayer is crucial as the most important thing we can do for others; and we need others to hold us accountable if we are ill advised in opening our mouths. The focus must be on the mission field; first and foremost. It is almost always best to let others bring up something humerous; because as with any other "liberties" someone may be easily offended and perhaps tempted to sin when they are the butt of a joke; no matter how "innocent" it may seem.
Few seem to categorize humor as something related to a joyful heart or spirit especially these days. It seems unheard of today in my life to think of someone who is that joyful who even smiles but maybe I am jaded in that mindset. Even laughing at ourselves can be wrong if we are constantly badmouthing ourselves. I had to rebuke brothers in the Lord who were too "hypercalvinistic" to the point where thy seemed boastful about what "worms" they were.
We then have the situation regarding nonbelieving friends and co-workers. Often I have found the best thing to do is either say nothing or excuse myself and try to say; eat my lunch elsewhere. I have in the past found family squabbles and the meetings involved when my former law firm I was employed at split up hilarious at times. Again; we shouldn't focus on character assasssination or take sides in these events but can't say humor is always wrong.
Do ye not know that the saints shall Judge the world?and if the world shall be Judged by you,are ye unworthy to Judge the smallest matters?Know ye not that we shall Judge angels?(angels of the Churches) 1Corinthians 6:2-3.
By the way, JESUS said more: John 4:36-37:->36 He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37 And herein is that saying true,One soweth(JESUS sowed),and another reapeth.
And Daniel prophesied:Dan.7:22&27: ->22Judgment was (will be)given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom( Revelation 11:15-18. Take a look.). 27 And the Kingdom and dominion,and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
Daniel 2:44-47
44And in the days of these kings shall the GOD of heaven set up a Kingdom( Revelation 11:15-18), which shall never be destroyed: and the Kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
45Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver,and the gold;the great GOD hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter:and the dream is certain,and the interpretation thereof sure.
46Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face...Of a truth it is, that your GOD is a GOD of gods( Psalms 82:1-2&6-8 and John 10:34-36 combined with Isaiah 41:22-23),and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets,seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
The Word is GOD,self-executing, understand?
Part 4 and final.
Clarity on shunning.
Scripturally, excluding a person from the church is preceded by admonition and counsel; it is only employed in cases of bona fide heresy, obdurate divisiveness, or blatant, unrepentant sin; and it is a last resort. After excommunication, the relationship between the former member and the church naturally changes, and the "shunning command"-not to eat with such a person-may come into play. However, the church still has the responsibility to pray for the one being disciplined and to extend forgiveness when repentance is evident. Shunning, as defined as a refusal to speak to someone or a total severing of all ties, goes beyond what the Bible advocates.
PARTIALITY.
This is another evil we see amongst believers.
The chapter of James 2 covers this. ( James 2:1-26)
Let's take on just a few verses.
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
So, speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
James 2:8-13.
That is all for now.
God bless.
Part 3.
How should Christian treat one another?
We are to be at peace with one another, forgive one another, have mercy on one another.
Just a few references.
1 Thessalonians 4:9
Ephesians 4:32
Galatians 5:26
Galatians 6:2
Matthew 7:12
1 John 4:7
However, we don't lie or deceive one another for the sake of peace. The truth hurts sometimes but it promotes spiritual growth providing that the Christ spirit is in the person.
BELEIVERS SHUNNING OTHER BELEIVERS.
To shun is to deliberately avoid something or someone. In the Bible, the word shun is applied to evil. Job 1:8, Job 28:28, Proverbs 3:7-8 Proverbs 14:16. So, shunning evil is good.
There is scripture that promotes excommunication. Matthew 18:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 3:14. but do we do it for harm or Good? What's the intent?
In any case, it would seem that extreme forms of shunning, such as considering someone "dead," utterly ignoring him, or refusing to acknowledge his existence, go beyond what Scripture commands.
After all, Jesus said that, when someone is put out of the church, he should be treated as "a pagan or a tax collector" Matthew 18:17. In other words, treat an intractable offender as an unsaved person.
How are we to treat the unsaved? With love and grace.
The "pagans and tax collectors" need to be evangelized. We are to love even our enemies ( Matthew 5:44).
The goal of excommunication and any form of shunning is restoration ( Galatians 6:1).
The purpose of any type of discipline is to prompt repentance and, ultimately, to reunite our fallen brother or sister with the church body. Being officially ostracized from the church, the sinner might be brought to repentance.
When the man in the Corinthian church later realized that he had sinned against God, he repented and came back to the church for forgiveness and reinstatement. Fellowship with the Corinthian believers was restored ( 2 Corinthians 2:6-11).
Isn't it hateful to ignore or shun other believers?
See part 4.
Greetings in Christ JESUS our Lord and Saviour
Thank you for your reply.
As it is written,"All Scripture is given by inspiration of GOD,and is profitable for doctrine,for reproof,for correction,for instruction in righteousness:That the man of GOD may be perfect,thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
As you know,our enemy"is wiser than Daniel;there is no secret that they can hide from him".Paul Apostle warned,saying:Put on the whole armour of GOD,that ye may BE ABLE to stand AGAINST the wiles of the Devil.
Think you(and many)also know that the MAN of sin,a Jewish MAN,son of perdition,will manifest himself very soon as messiah and God( John 5:43-47and 2Thessalonians 2:3-4and9-12,and mainly Revelation 13:11 and so on),so we all MUST be careful.Get ready.
However,the prophecy of Ezekiel is very clear:Ez.28:7-10-->7 Behold,therefore I will bring strangers upon thee,the terrible of the nations:and they shall draw their Swords against the beauty of thy wisdom,and they shall defile thy brightness.
8They shall bring thee down to the pit( Revelation 20:1-3),and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas.(peoples,and nations,and multitudes of all tongues-Re.17:15)
9Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee,I am God?but thou shalt be a MAN,and no God,in the hand of him that slayeth thee.
10Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised(he's a Jewish MAN)by the hand of strangers:for I have spoken it,saith the Lord GOD.
Re.12:9-12-->9And the great dragon was cast out,that old serpent,called the Devil,and Satan,which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth,and his angels were cast out with him.
10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven,Now is come salvation,and strength,and the kingdom of our GOD,and the power of His Christ:for the accuser of our brethren is cast down,which accused them before our GOD day and night.11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb,and by the word of their testimony;12Th
I will attempt to wrap this up for now; although admittedly this is a subject which could easily call for many more postings. God in His infinite yet mysterious plans allowed for a created being to usurp 1/3 of the angels; and to deceive most of mankind throughout history. ( Matthew 7:13-14). Through the offspring mentioned in Genesis 6 he produced numerous giant beings (I can't see it being any other explanation) and therefore only Noah and his family were saved at the flood as it seems all the rest of mankind was corrupted genetically and by default morally beyond repair. (see Genesis 6:9 on Noah being "perfect in his generations"). He also later attempted the same thing on a more limited scale after the flood; resulting in Israel wiping out all the giants (with Goliath being the last one in the surrounding nations Israel had to conquer). Satan continued to attempt to wipe out all of God's people by the ordinance of Haman to wipe out all the Jews which was thwarted in Esther; the Holocaust and will almost succeed in Armageddon when half of Jerusalem is taken before Christ returns. He is the god of this world and Jesus didn't argue with him having control as a "usurper" type leader of all the Kingdoms of the world. Satan also will be given the limited short space of the last half of the Tribulation to more or less control the world but again he will fail to totally destroy the earth because God Himself makes the time short (see Matthew 24:22). Again; God is the one who allows these things; including the "strong delusion" He sends to decieve all those who didn't LOVE the truth but enjoyed unrighteousness ( 2 Thess. 2:11-12 rough translation). Once again at the end of the Millennium he has the final stand; which ends in his judgment cast into hell; and a mass of people as the sand of the sea; amazingly perishing despite seeing Christ on earth and living a utopian existance in the millennium.
Ultimately; whether it be Armageddon or the final Great White throne judgment; or the individual demise of every person outside of the faith since Adam fell; the fate of unregenerate man is horrible beyond imagination. The biggest problem is that we don't know who Christ is; the eyes of those under Satan's power are blinded ( 2 Corinthians 4:4). Once we can see clearly we will be on our face; so it is better to do it now than under compulsion at judgment. The righteous also are constrained but by His love to praise and worship the Lord. The Holy Spirit when we are fully surrendered will fill our entire being with praise.
For now; it wouldn't surprise me a bit if an atheist would have less of an issue with say capital punishment as many who call themselves Christian. The Antichrist himself is called the "lawless one" and indeed at least one atheist I met was from a worldly standpoint a very "moral" person. What the law does is serve as a "schoolmaster" ( Gal. 3:24) to bring people to faith.
This explains why it is possible for the vilest sinner (such as possibly occured with Jeffrey Dahmer) to change. As Christians we shouldn't have a double standard we can exact justice to protect the innocent but still have an attitude of unconditional love and forgiveness which wouldn't be comprehended by an atheist.
Anyway another good point is that Christ never said the adage that God helps those who help themselves. If there was any other way certainly God would not have allowed His son to go through the suffering on the cross; or turn His back on Him at that instant of time. This shows sin is DEADLY serious.
Also of course 1 Corinthians 11:30 shows that even God' speople can have a shortened life living in disobedience. God delivered a man over to Satan so that at some point before death he would repent (apparently the man came to his senses and eventually was restored to fellowship). Better to make it to heaven through fire than hell.
First I must say that questions as such"why God kills or asks others to kill, despite "do not kill",are made by many atheists that were members of the SDA,but now turned demonic atheists.
They well know the letter of the Bible and now use it in their demonic posts to deny GOD and to contradict His Word.In fact they are killers,killers of souls.
They know that when GOD said to the people of Israel through Moses," do not kill", it had already passed around 2500 years(two days and half of GOD's work),and the commandment was exclusively for the people of GOD,Israel. It was given in the OT, not in the NT,very different of the OT. See, GOD was creating a new environment for His seed, descendants of Abraham, when He brought His people out of Egypt. GOD separated His people Israel from the midst of the Gentilic peoples, from the midst of the idolaters and murderers peoples, actually He divided waters from the waters- Genesis 1:6-10-and then appeared the dry land-Israel.
Now see,around 2500 years before GOD's commandment Cain had killed Abel.Who commanded Cain do it?It was not GOD,so who? It was the father of Cain,the Devil,a former Cherub,former ruler of Eden,also father of the current atheists and false Christianity and others adherents of devilish religions.
In the other hand,after GOD brought Israel from Egypt and placed the people in the Promised Land,there GOD established the Law and rules to discipline the people and free them from all the SATANIC influence they carried with them from the Gentile, specially from the Egyptians and their satanic idolatries.Desobedience, i.e. witchcraft,it would be punished in the Promised Land,even to the death penalty(Compare: Luke 12:4 and Deuteronomy 32:39.By the way,GOD IS GOD).
This battle started when the Cherub which GOD have placed as a ruler of Eden(now called SON OF PERDITION and MAN OF SIN,the Devil and Satan)planned to USURP GOD's creation and to create a specific world for he himself- Matthew 4:8-9.
GOD BLESs
Thank you, brother, After the first resurrection, their judgement and rewards, Revelation 20:4 and after the 1000 years is the day of judgment for the rest of the dead. Daniel 12:2 John 5:28-29 2 Corinthians 5:10 Revelation 20:11-15.
This is our hope, and the promise God has given to us 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, those who are not the chosen and faithful in the first resurrection sleep in death until the day of judgment for all who have lived, Revelation 20:11-15.
God bless,
RLW
MAN MADE ONLY AS A LIVING SOUL
The Word,GOD Himself,Who is from everlasting to everlasting, self-executing,He has in He Himself the project written since Eternity how to make man in His image,but GOD is Spirit,how could man see the image of His Spirit?It's impossible unless the Spirit be made physically.
The Word-the Word is GOD-GOD is Spirit and a Person,He knew it would be impossible He be known and seen in Spirit,even being a Person in He Himself as Word,so when the time arrived in to make man in His image and likeness,through His invisible Spirit and own Person as manifested Word,two distincts Persons,then He said:Let US make man in OUR image,after our likeness.
The Person of GOD as Word still was in His bosom.The Word had not still been made flesh,then was only a man made of the dust. With the revelation of the Word was given life to the man,through the Word was breathed into the nostrils of man the breath of life; and man became a living soul from the beginning until JESUS.
A MAN MADE AS LIVING SPIRIT-THIS ONLY AFTER JESUS
GOD had planned to make man in His image,but how?once He was Spirit and only One,as whether was alone?First He needed to make an image from He Himself and that's what GOD did with the birth of JESUS.JESUS was born in the turn of the fourth to the fifth Day,in the turn of fourth to the fifth millennium.JESUS was no longer in the bosom of the Father,the Word- Hebrews 1:1-4.
With the birth of JESUS,GOD could fulfill His wonderful promise to make man in His image,a quickning spirit,as planned.From JESUS until now passed more 2000 years,so we are at the turn of the sixth to the seventh and last Day, the Lord's Day,or seventh and last millennium,the millennium of GOD's Kingdom- Revelation 11:15-18,so in fulfillment of what says the Word,the dead shall be raised incorruptible-1 Cor.15:52-, and we that are alive shall be changed- Philippians 3:20-21.
You will receive different understandings of this. This is something you will need to pray and study for your own conscience. There are some things to question. Is Luke 16:19-31 a parable or is it something that truly happened? Study chapters 15 and 17 and consider what Jesus is teaching.
One thing that influences our understanding is the Greek philosophy of the immortal soul. When we die do we sleep in death until resurrection or do we go to heaven or go to a burning hell for eternity? What does scripture support? Does scripture say we are awake in death?
My understanding is we sleep in death until we are resurrected, and the gift of immortality is not given until resurrection to those chosen and faithful. Luke 16:19-31 is a parable, and the context of this chapter is the love of money and stewardship, Jesus was addressing this to the Pharisees who loved money, "No servant can serve two masters".
God bless,
RLW
Today we covered a book (by Ryrie called Balancing the Christian Life") and the chapter about Satan. There was too much to cover in one study; indeed I could see how a half dozen studies would be needed to examine just the main avenues the enemy of our souls uses to afflict us. The scripture on him coming to steal; kill and destroy was mentioned; along with his techniques.
As the "accuser of the brethren" ( Rev. 12:10) there is no doubt that accusations have been something he has lengthy experience on as it is first observed in the book of Job. (See Job 16:2 where he calls his friends "miserable comforters"). It isn't just coincidence or happenstance that Satan pummeled Job so mercilessly. As was also brought out in the study which we should all know Satan can do nothing without God's permission. The book generally talks about people who think too little and those too obsessed with the wiles of the enemy. The fact that he could assail Paul an Apostle of God; and get into Peter's mind when our Lord had to rebuke him and say "get behind me SATAN" ( MAtt. 16:23) should be a reality check that anyone can be taken out by the enemy should God allow it.
Of course the concept of the "legal power of attorney" that Christ has based on His blood sacrifice and atonement for His children gives us assurance of salvation; but often the Lord uses the enemy to test our faith in this wicked world system.
There is danger of those having false assurance of salvation which is evidenced by bad fruit ( Matt. 7:16); however when a Christian sins the enemy will plant all sorts of terror; accusations; insecurities; etc. in our minds. Godly sorrow leads to repentance ( 2 Cor. 7:10); but if we don't go to the Lord when we first sin the enemy is given free reign more or less to mess with our minds. Thus in my experience even if I went headlong into sin knowing the torment the enemy would cast my way is strong incentive to stay away.
I may have discussed this topic in a previous post. Whether or not we consider "free will" to be a factor or not as to our immediate future; there is no doubt that things will end up with the Tribulation; the Millennium rule and final judgment followed by the eternal state. It is clear scripturally that almost all prophecy is conditional in some way; the fact that God does nothing without warning by one or more Prophets ( Amos 3:7). A prime example of this is with Israel and Judah who more often than not missed the mark whether it was the kings; prophets; priests or everyone else in society. Psalms is rife with examples of God's chastisement of the righteous ( Psalm 107 is one good example of this). We even see it with the other nations such as the Amorites and later in the book of Jonah the Ninevites who were given a lengthy respite of several generations before judgment finally came down as mentioned in the book of Nahum.
The statements in the New Testament such as the prophecy of Agabus shown in Acts 11 and 21 showed famine to come and later Paul's imprisonment. In the first case it has been brought to my attention that perhaps that famine either didn't occur or perhaps less severe because of preparations or repentance. That was what my former Pastor stated; not sure if anyone knows the history better than I do. As to the second circumstance; Paul was constrained to be obedient and bold. There wasn't a mandate it seemed for him going to Jerusalem although it seemed he was aware of it being part of God's plan. Perhaps the implication was martyrdom; after all Paul was no stranger to prison.
I tend to look at the "reap what you sow" context works as a sort of guarantee; like prophecy you can be certain that sin will bring forth punishment and trouble even in this life as the end of Proverbs 13:15 indicates. For God's children in rebellion it is only He who can bring real change but the wicked are lost.
In the Old Testament; there were 2 types of roles for a Prophet. In 1 Chronicles 21:9-13 we have Gad who is David's "seer".
He was given the task of telling David after the Satanically inspired census that there were 3 punishments that would result.
He had no need at that time apparently to mention what the punishment was for as David apparently realized the error of his ways. That is different than Nathan the Prophet at the time he took Bathsheeba as his wife and had Uriah the Hittite set up to die on the front lines in 2 Samuel 11. It would seem that Proverbs 6:34 showed Solomon's wisdom in avoiding showing feigned favor to the husband of a woman someone else is involved with; perhaps it was inspired from what happened in part with David and his mother years previous.
The second role was more of a general statement of future events covered in much of the "major prophets" such as Daniel; Jeremiah; Isaiah and Ezekiel and the minor ones (with smaller overall text) such as Zechariah; Zephaniah; etc.
I am no expert on the office of Prophet today but it seems cessationists may say a Pastor teaching from the Word is also in that type of ministry. I would also say that those who use the Word only as a warning could be in that category. The controversy is if these "signs and wonders" gifts have ceased. I would first eliminate all the pretenders who clearly make things up from their imaginations and false prophets and those who have no factual basis or vary vague statements about persons or events that are very subjective. We are also warned that should someone say something that doesn't come to pass OR that DOES but incites us to worship a false God is to be ignored and kicked out of any church if they try to do this. (See Deut. 18:22 and Deut. 13:2).
We must also avoid fear of things to come. Someone telling the truth should offer some hope even in the worst warnings. The biggest red flag is always predicting prosperity.
Thine ARROWS are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies (enemies of JESUS,anti-JESUS,Antichrist;whereby the people fall under thee- Psalm 45:5.
Isaiah 7:22-24
22...he shall eat butter:for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land(the remnant-144K) Question:The rebel Israel was banned from their land and was spread around the whole world from year 70 AD until 1948,but from now on?being ruled by a false God,a false messiah?- Revelation 13:11-18).
23 And it shall come to pass in that day(the current seventh and last Day,seventh and last millennium)that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings,it shall even be for briers and thorns.(because are good for nothing)
24 With ARROWS and with BOWS shall men come thither; because all the land shall become briers and thorns.
Isaiah 45:2
2Thou art fairer than the children of men:grace is poured into thy lips:therefore GOD hath blessed thee for ever.
3Gird thy Sword upon thy thigh,O most MIGHTY, with thy glory and thy majesty.(He's a Prince of GOD)
4And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness;and thy right hand shall TEACH thee terrible things.
6Thy throne,O God(GOD the Father, GOD Son and(God of the earth- Revelation 11:4),is for ever and ever:the sceptre of thy kingdom is a RIGHT sceptre.
7Thou lovest righteousness,and hatest wickedness:therefore God(God the Father/God the Son),thy God,has ANNOINTED thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Zech.4:11-14
What are these two olive trees upon the right and left side of the candlestick?
What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
Knowest thou not what these be?
These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth
English is not my native language,for me it's harder to speak of the theories of man-made than to speak of the Word of GOD.
To those that say age of the Earth is around 14 billions of years,we can counter argue that the number is not accurate,although to the common man it could be, the gods of this world(the common men made of the dust of the earth- Genesis 2:19)have blinded the minds of them which believe in them,believe in them which trie to plagiarize the science of the Most High and Almighty GOD, but the best of their conceptions in this field is nothing more than foolish conjectures and deceitful theories given by man-made scientific apparatus.
What we belivers must say to the atheists is that the age of the Earth is much much more than that billions of years age they claim.This assert lefts them very astonished,of course.What we must say to the atheists in the reply, is that the age pointed in their posts is the maximum limit that man-made scientific apparatus or measuring equipments of the scientists is ABLE to measure.So it has nothing to do with the age of the Earth.We could say unto them or would say that for measuring the age of the Earth the men need to invent a scientific apparatus more qualified and ABLE to measure beyond or over of what has been measured by the scientists to this date, then the false current theory of the Earth's age will be changed for a new theory.I'm sure they will never get do it first because the Universe is a GOD's secret,second because they not know that the Devil's world in which they are living will END now,even now,from now on,it has been pre-determined to start in this current decade,it with great and traggic destruction as was previously prophesied-confirmed by Revelation 11:18-,whereof GOD has given assurance unto all men in His former secret book of Apocalypse-Re.1:1-,sealed with seven seals,which were revealed to JESUS and were broken and opened by Him around 65 years after His ascension.
GOD bless
Thank you for your reply, I understand archangels are high-ranking angels and are called princes and Michael is the only one in the bible who is called an archangel. Like in the military, the word would be given to the general/archangel and his voice is who the angels and us would hear. Michael is at the top ranking as we see in Revelation 12. I do not see an angel name or rank that could be applied to Jesus.
My understanding of 1 Thessalonians 4:16 the announcing of Jesus coming will be the actual voice of the archangel and the last Trump, whether it is Michael, looks like it will be, but I do not know. The question I asked Oseas, he seems to say Michael will come before Jesus, not sure of the meaning of that. I hope this makes sense and thanks for your reply.
God bless,
RLW
as the lightning that cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall the coming of the Son of man be. Get ready- Matthew 25:10-, knowing that only lamp- Psalm 119:105-is not suffice to enter in the kingdom of GOD - Matthew 7:21-27 and Malachi 4:11-14.
Michael the archangel is one like unto the Son of man, the difference is that Michael is a warrior, JESUS the Savior, He is the stone which is become the head of the corner. There is no salvation in any other(except in JESUS Christ):for there is none other NAME under heaven given among men, whereby we MUST be saved.
JESUS/JOSHUA warned: ... no man cometh unto the Father, but by me, so Adonai, Jehovah, YHWH, Yahweh, HaShem, Yehovah, Elohim, Yahusha , YEHshia, YEHvah, ten supposed and fictitious names, better, NICKNAMES of GOD, added in the Jewish Bible, and inadvertently copied into the Gentile Bible by the translators, they all are good for nothing.
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. But who comes first that will cause to happen Great Tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. My Lord JESUS made it very clear, saying: Except those days (this current time) should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
A false messiah is at door, he will manifest himself soon- Revelation 13:11-14 combined with John 5:43-47-AN IMPOSTOR- , he was born decadas ago, understand? It is he the God of the Jews- 2Thessalonians 2:3-4.
My Lord JESUS warned: If any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; BELEIVE IT NOT.
Be careful and get ready
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
21...then shall be great Tribulation(Dan.12:1& Acts 14:22),such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time(to this current time, time of the last GOD's Day),no, nor ever shall be.
By the way, it's very important to know who comes first: Michael or JESUS?
Michael the archangel is one like unto the Son of man, the difference is that Michael is a warrior, JESUS the Savior, He is the stone which is become the head of the corner. There is no salvation in any other(except in JESUS Christ):for there is none other NAME under heaven given among men, whereby we MUST be saved.
Get ready
Daniel 12:2
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Paul prophesied: 1Tess.4:15-17
15 We say unto you by the Word of the Lord,that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven(from the 3rd heaven,we the believers are still in the 2nd heaven-Eph.1:3-8 combined with Phil.3:20-21)with a shout,with the voice of the archangel,and with the trump of GOD:and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds( Isaiah 60:8, and 1Corinthians 15:51 combined with Phi.3:20-21 and Re.5:8-14), to meet the Lord in the air(in the 3rd heavenly environment-3rd heaven-far above the second heaven- Luke 20:35-36 combined with Mat.25:6): and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (Where?-Re.11:15-18 and 5:10, and Mat.5:5).
Daniel 12:3
3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (The stars were made by our GOD since the beginning- Genesis 1:16-made with own light given by GOD for them to shine in heaven(Eph.1:3-8), but the Greater Light is JESUS, and the Lesser Light is the person of the Holy Spirit- John 15:26 and 16:12-15. Take a look).
You have not offended me at all, saying what you truly feel is what we should all do. I feel most all on this site do this without any intent to offend. Like you said we are many members, but one body and it is not for our glory, but all the members working together for the glory and grace of God which is given us by Jesus Christ.
I look at discussions as an opportunity for the truth to be revealed to us if done in love and respect and if we are open to it and humble ourselves and not with the attitude, we already know the answer, that is what I love about this site. I understand what you have said and thank you for that.
God bless,
RLW
"And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely./And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him./And they laid their hands on him, and took him."
God is love and it has a token: a sign such as what the Word become flesh indicates by the virgin birth. A kiss is also a token as the Song of Solomon describes the sensation, "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: For thy love is better than wine. Because of the savour of thy good ointments Thy name is as ointment poured forth, Therefore do the virgins love thee."(The S.1:2-4). All the tokens of love, like overtones in music flow out when love is expressed between Christ and the bride. Fruits of the Spirit are equally felicitous analogy to love of God for Man. Moses expressed it thus: "For my name is in him."(Ex.22:21) Christ earned a name above every other name, which like precious ointment blesses the embrace which not for once but for ever more. "It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;."(Ps.133:2).
Against this we read that Judas kissed his master he was followed by men with murder in their eyes. So Jesus, "Said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?"(v.48)
Psalm 133 compares the blessings come down as a precious ointment so brotherly love is a synonym for unity. When Judas kissed it was pushing the panic button that "And they all forsook him, and fled." Mark mentions of one disciple, "And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:/And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked"(vv.50-52)
Till May I shall be taking time out so my posts shall be few and far between.
What we do, especially before being saved, is all forgiven & He won't hold against us. All we go through strengthens us as we grow wiser in His word & for His purpose to lead others to Christ. Believers are guided by His spirit to speak His truth. That's His will for all.!
So if He's calling you to do so please, don't be ashamed/worried what others will think or do. He is the one we are to fear. I regret one time He led me to talk to a lady & I shrugged it off. She passed away 3-4 days later. Now, when He leads me (especially w/my dreams) I follow through. Then I'm amazed by His work when 'said person' starts to change. Praise God.!
Yet at work, I always speak in a way they know I'm a believer. i.e., saying Lord willing, God forbid, Jesus help me or even tell them "I will pray for you" or even wearing my TCU hat while driving the company truck (I live in midst of Mormons).! They are all seeds, God sows in His time.! Plus, I don't get involved in idol gossip & won't lie. I think you definitely have a God given talent & are blessed. Thnx again
"But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all."
This was what bravado where oath of man falls contrary to the sovereignty of the word so a mighty warrior like Jephthah is shown as wimp and St Peter proved to be no less. Jesus showed why. " Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."(13:31). Jesus as the fulfilment of Law places all events consequently in his deity as well as in his humanity. "I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil./For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." At the outset of his earthly he presented the doctrine of his Father and condemned the doctrine of man as coming from the devil. (John8:44). From the manner the disciples could not understand him the Spirit shows why. It is not the words themselves as the controversy over KJV or other translations have raked up but the simple reason their flesh was weak. Even in our times imposter church keeps man from loving God with all might and will all their heart. "Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word."(John8:43) They literally follow the scriptures and flat earthers for example, they may quote," It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth," Does that mean the earth is one? (Is.40:22).
"In thee is the fountain of life" Jesus said "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life./.... Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father."(John6:63-65; Ps.36:9) In the same night the disciples will fail their master at Gethsemane and forsake him. "My word " speaks of Christ's spirit of obedience and was for the glory of God. So abiding life means walking with him and understanding His will concerning us. That is true Light
"And they all forsook him, and fled."
In continuation to the previous post Jesus knew beforehand that his disciples would flee from him in 'the evil hour. As it was written of him in the scriptures they were also written and in the same quote from Zachariah we read thus, "Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones." The eleven disciples are 'the sheep' mentioned there. By the principle of Association the little ones include us as well. We received the gospel of salvation as 'the little ones'. We were called before the worlds began but how did we receive it?"and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;/And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen"(1 Co.1:27-28)
God chose man and not nations. "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."( 1 Co.10:11)These are examples for our spiritual instruction
The point we need see here is the word of God is given to us to profit withal. "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal"(1 Co.12:7) This shall explain the Law of Gradation where all things are held together in Christ. Moses doubled for Jesus and how the Spirit has organised his going up the mount we have here in v.26. "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives." The mount of Olives is a sign. Jesus was taken in because as the word of God had foreshadowed the evil hour was to manifest, as the golden calf leading to the imposter church of our times, and many other events all these leading to the final battle. (Re.19). These kangaroo events teach us, "There is nothing new under the sun.(Ec.1:9)"
"And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered."
I shall not detail what I have mentioned of this quote from Prophet Zechariah (13:7) while I coverd Matthew. The point is simple. Jesus as the Word become flesh obeyed his God completely so much so he knew the evil hour closing in on him, down to the exact minute. Jesus says further down in this chapter, "I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled."(14:49). Luke present us one curious aspect of time. "When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness."( Luke 22:53). The power of darkness also has been at work equally as the word that God commanded, "Let there be light." Why did Jesus Christ manifest? "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."( 1 John 3:8). So both good seed and tares growing in the field is nothing to marvel at. While Moses was with God down below the golden calf being set up was no coincidence. The evil work had succeeded throwing off some from the fellowship of God with Man. Moses as a double for the Son went up even as Jesus' Ascension gives it as a kangaroo event. So what we find of the Church of Rome setting up their golden calf is no brainer. The ten spies who brought evil report and brought God to intervene (Nu..14) we have even now as Evangelical Right, lining up behind a captain as bizarre as the Pied Piper of Hamelin. "And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt."(14:4). New Canaan is impossible for the reprobate minds. The point we need see here is the word of God is given to us to profit withal. (1 Co.12:7)
Joy and peace with Him, greetings
My gifting is in discernment and sadly I have still much softening needed in my heart and soul; partially due no doubt to the divorce I had to go through the better part of 10 years ago. My views against remarriage when a spouse is alive isn't something I'm going to push on this site but I know the Lord has given me another specific calling to warn others about the subject. It is risky mentioning this as there are some who I love in Christ who have been offended but I must speak what I believe He has given me to say.
I suppose I could use prayer that I can somehow be bolder sharing on my job; although often I'm too busy working fast paced in my food service work. If the Lord tarries once my elderly parents (in their 90s) have passed then I probably will revert back to spending more of my time witnessing; so that is part of the reason I belt out so much stuff now; along with whatever writing talent the Lord has given me.
I can only hope that as Daniel states some will shine as the stars in the sky (or firmament- Daniel 12:3) as a result of some message whether it is myself or someone else at this site or elsewhere. The true experience of being filled with the Spirit I contend is rare and you have to search like it for gold and eventually you will begin to be able to know when it is present.
You will see it in others mainly; and is in a minority of professing believers. Again I appeal to the scriptures on running for the prize ( Philippians 3:3) and even Paul said it can be forfeited ( 1 Cor. 9:27; see also Revelation 3:11).
Now for a completely different discussion. Christians have argued about whether we should use humor or if God has a sense of humor. Given the verses about God laughing at the calamity of the wicked (such as Psalm 2); we need to be careful if we ask the Lord this question as well as with our intentions.
My experience (hitting the big THREESCORE this month) shows me that humor may be best served to lighten the burdens of our everyday annoyances; and SOMETIMES certain situations involving others can show the folly of this life. It is often better not to know the individual mentioned. Prayer is crucial as the most important thing we can do for others; and we need others to hold us accountable if we are ill advised in opening our mouths. The focus must be on the mission field; first and foremost. It is almost always best to let others bring up something humerous; because as with any other "liberties" someone may be easily offended and perhaps tempted to sin when they are the butt of a joke; no matter how "innocent" it may seem.
Few seem to categorize humor as something related to a joyful heart or spirit especially these days. It seems unheard of today in my life to think of someone who is that joyful who even smiles but maybe I am jaded in that mindset. Even laughing at ourselves can be wrong if we are constantly badmouthing ourselves. I had to rebuke brothers in the Lord who were too "hypercalvinistic" to the point where thy seemed boastful about what "worms" they were.
We then have the situation regarding nonbelieving friends and co-workers. Often I have found the best thing to do is either say nothing or excuse myself and try to say; eat my lunch elsewhere. I have in the past found family squabbles and the meetings involved when my former law firm I was employed at split up hilarious at times. Again; we shouldn't focus on character assasssination or take sides in these events but can't say humor is always wrong.
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