All Discussion PAGE 184

Again , Adam,

Heavenly Father, again we come to You in the name of Jesus asking You to guide Adam in the best direction for his time, energy and talents to be used of You. We ask that You clearly show him the direction you desire for his life and that the opening of doors and shutting of door clearly discerned by Adam. Train Adam's heart and soul to follow hard after You, trusting in Your faithfulness, grace, love and righteousness. Bring Adam strength of conviction of His faith in You and empower Adam to do what You will for him. Amen.

Adam I am glad to pray for you.

Dear Heavenly Father, today we come to You in Jesus' name asking for healing for Adam. Please, Lord, remove this ailment from Adam and restore health to him. Keep this health problem from continuing or recurring, but completely do away with it. Amen.

Hello Adam, was just thinking of you and praying for you these last few days. It is good to have you back posting here.

I agree completely with what you've presented. The Bible is clear that punishment for unbelievers, fallen angels, the devil is forever and ever, unending.

God bless everyone on this Sunday.

I request prayer to be released from a physical ailment that is troubling me. Secondly for God's direction on where He would best like to use me in this world. I look around at the rampant evil and feel like time is short and I personally feel inadequate in what I've done for his kingdom and don't want to waste any gifts He's given me.

Lord we ask for your guiding hand upon David Allen and his daughter and family. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Lord, please bless brother Frank and help him through this we pray. In Jesus name, Amen.

In musical circles; oftentimes the dumbing down to fit the cookie cutter repeated musical themes twice; a brief refrain; quiet and finale of nebulous spiritual consistency is just as much an issue. What is showed off usually is everything BUT musical talent (glamour; glitz; hypnotic repetition; endless shallow romantic love themes indistinguishable from worldly desire). This underplaying also offends God where we are to put the best expression into our musical gifts for His glory. Those who are gifted musically that I tend to obsess on oftentimes are not Christians; but with acoustic or folk music genres I can perhaps safely listen and appreciate them for musical talent without idolizing them. In this style music old "spirituals" are often sung here and there that have more Biblical content than those the Christian industry is pandering (ok that's it for that rant).

Those who espouse lies are coming out it seems; the truth always reveals itself. Truth be told as I have stated elsewhere there always has to be some truth with any effective lies or liars; and scripture still can prick hearts despite bad preachers. The general apostasy these days means that more than ever we can't put stock in any human being. Those who appear to have been in the faith and fall away ultimately aren't saved as I see scripture; but since we can't foresee these things (although the signs of bad fruit should awake our discerning souls) we need to be prepared as to not let a root of bitterness for instance tempt us to abandon the faith ourselves when other fall.

My belief is that lack of spiritual discernment is a primary issue here. How else can demonic spiritual manifestations and doctrines be so readily accepted? Either choosing to believe any manifestation as being from God or not believe at all in the miraculous end up being two extremes we can fall into. As Ecclesiastes states weeping is better than laughter for the soul; and fear of God the beginning of wisdom.

Matthew 25:46 - And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

This seems pretty clear to me and hard to misunderstand it unless someone tries to twist it.

If someone doesn't believe punishment is eternal then maybe someone should likewise question whether heaven is eternal, because this verse states them both as being everlasting / eternal.

The Bible says the soul will die, the 2nd death, perish, etc. But how do you know that's not the eternal part, or how can you prove that God allows someone to actually suffer without a soul, etc. Basically people are just speculating, and its not going to get very far.

But perhaps we can all agree that hell is bad and heaven is good? Hell is punishment and something to be avoided, and we need Jesus to avoid it. John 3:16 says this.

Revelation 20:10 - And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

You can safely say some will be tormented day and night for ever and ever, because that's literally what this verse says.

Mark 9:43-48 - unquenching fire- you can safely say that hell isn't immediately going away, either. It's likely in full operation.

Revelation 14:11 - And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Daniel 12:1-2 ever lasting life vs ever lasting contempt

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 everlasting destruction. This might debunk the human reasoning idea that death or being destroyed must only happen in a short timeframe. This says it can happen 'ever lasting' which seems long term or eternal. So, this verse now explains all the other verses where it makes sense.

Revelation 14:11 smoke of their torment for ever and ever. That doesn't sound immediate or short term to me, but forever.

God bless you.

Chris,

Luke 16:19-31 was a common PARABLE of that time. Jesus was using it as a TEACHING lesson. And, by the way, this Lazarus in the story is not the same Lazarus that Jesus raised from the dead.

In no way, was Jesus saying the dead suffer in a state of torment. Also, by your reasoning, how exactly can a disembodied spirit be thirsty? How can a disembodied spirit feel pain? Impossible!

Chris,

The fire that shall never be quenched means it is irreversible. Look at the remains of sodom and Gomorrah that can be seen today. There are outlines of the buildings in the area near the Dead Sea. Archeological proof of the wrath of God.

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and its outlying towns have been a permanent destruction. This is an object lesson for us.

Mark 9:43

"And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:"

Hi Chris,

Again , this verse that you listed does not speak of the soul burning for eternity.

"And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." Matt 5:29 KJV.

Hell is a finality. It's the end of the road. The "whole body" is the body along with the soul.

Matt.5:43-45 "The Great switchover"

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy./ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;/ That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven"

'That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven'

Is a clear proof that anyone who wants to be born of the Spirit must choose. Either you let your will ride you or let it run under the Spirit of grace as Jesus chose to do. "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."(2 Co.8:9).Without it your dying to the world and sin, baptism by water is merely a rite, meaningless to all intent and purpose. You see the manner heresies in churches, have been spread around and controversies are stoked by those who stand to benefit from it. Instead of letting the Prince of life work with whose lifestyles are an anathema, do you think you shall change them by traducing them from pulpit or working with politicians? Pro-life movement is for the dead to while away their time. For children who worship 'our Father in heaven' it is to work with our faith, which in the hands of Jesus like five loaves and two fish shall go a long way. This establishes our sonship. All glory to God our Father.

Of what profit when we have ceased from self-glory being born again to make causes of the ungodly? We are dead to vain strivings of the world that shall never go away. They are enemies of Christ. They shall curse us but the grace of the Son shall cushion us from them as ever we have Isaiah's words, "the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." His grace works best when we have ceased from works. 'I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live.'(Gal.2:20) This switchover bring rest to our souls.

Hi Chris, This verse you mentioned does not speak of the soul's eternal burning. It speaks of destruction.

"But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire."

Matthew 5:22

Hell fire is the same thing as destruction. For example, if my house were on fire, it would destroyed. And, once it burns down, there would be nothing left but smoke rising from the debris.

Here's my message sent to Marcelo Gleiser,Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Dartmouth College.I told him: I enjoyed your profound conceptions within the scientific field, and also how you relate in a comprehensive way to other knowledge linked to faith and beliefs about the creation of the Universe, and the existence or not of GOD.

You said it is difficult to define a scientific explanation related to the existence of life on other planets.I said:In fact,when we talk about life in the essence of the word,we talk about the existence of a diversity of beings,i.e. plants and animals according to their species,and above all,more particularly,the existence of human being.

I confess that I was amazed by your answer saying that "there is no human being on other planets, it is an unknown field, there is no way to demonstrate and prove it". Well, you said planet Earth has its history,a history that in my opinion no other place of the Universe has this privilege. I was amazed by your answer,your fantastic conception,because I have long had this conviction of the non-existence of human being on other planets.But in truth,it is not just the human being,but all species of living beings,whether plants and animals of the most diverse species on Earth,especially those that have blood in the veins(the soul)of the body.

I said:But why is this my unshakable conviction?Because in truth GOD created the Universe,whose galaxies have hundreds of billions of stars as you said.In fact,it even has a "black hole" with an inexplicable reason for its existence,but after everything created GOD sat on the GLOBE of Earth-Isaias 40:21-22.This is the true and only reason for life to exist,life in abundance on planet Earth,and man is the most privileged of everything and everyone,having, body, soul, and spirit from which comes his ability to reason, perceive, define, understand and translate everything into words. It is the function of the spirit in man that no other animal has, except man.

Acts 17:30-31

30And the times of this ignorance GOD winked at;but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

31Because He hath appointed a Day,in the which He will Judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto ALL men,in that He hath raised him from the dead.

Mat.28:18-And JESUS came and spake unto them,saying,All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Luke 10:19-20

19Behold,I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions,and over ALL the power of the enemy:and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20Notwithstanding in this rejoice not,that the spirits are subject unto you;but rather rejoice,because your names are written in heaven.

Joel 2:1-11

1Blow the trumpet in Zion,sound an alarm in my holy mountain:let all the inhabitants of the land tremble:the Lord's Day comes...

2A Day of darkness and of gloominess,a Day of clouds and of thick darkness...a great people and a strong there has not been ever the like,neither shall be any more after it...

3A fire devoures before them;and behind them a flame burns:the land is as the garden of Eden before them,and behind them a desolate wilderness...

5Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoures the stubble,as a strong people set in battle array.

6Before their face the people shall be much pained...

7They shall run like mighty men;they shall climb the wall like men of war;and they shall march every one on his ways,and they shall not break their ranks:

8...and when they fall upon the sword,they shall not be wounded.

9They shall run to and fro in the city;they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses;they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.

10The earth shall quake before them...

11And the Lord shall utter His voice before His army:His camp is very great:He is strong that executes His Word:the Day of the Lord is great,very terrible;and who can abide it?

Hi Richard,

You hit the nail when you said. "we need to look through spiritual eyes and not always focus on who speaks the loudest or most eloquently or makes the rules."

I must admit that it is very hard to distinguish between personality traits and spiritual gifts. Today, the church has borrowed some worldly principles, qualities, and traits instead of relying on spiritual gifts. So many so-called Christian leaders and "celebrities" are not even born again, but they are able to hide behind their natural talents and play an influent role in the body of Christ. Unfortunately, it is hard sometimes to distinguish between them.

Hi Chris,

The "immaterial parts of man that remain accountable to God"? Are you talking about floating ghosts here?

The body and soul TOGETHER make the man. Man cannot exist without his body.

Matt.5:8-9 "Pure in heart"

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."

Heart is a spiritual space and much more so for those who understand God as a Spirit rules over it as well. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."(6:21). Pure in heart is not a state of being but will of man under a state of grace. As Paul would say,"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."(Ph.4:12) In short he chose to abide in him who died for our sakes. Stephen chose rather to die than be silent when called upon to speak up. He was under the yoke of his salvation. Truth made the elders of the Sanhedrin and Stephen respond differently. They questioned Stephen, "Are these things so? and when he answered they were wroth!" When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth"(7:1:54-56) Stephen could not done otherwise. He was pure heart so it was totally sanctified to give glory to God."But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,/ And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."

"Follow me" Jesus said and his life was an example. So all who have followed his words would have shared the same agony and the ecstasy as St Stephen in some measure. So we have a Club for the Pure of heart, and rules of admission are simple."forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto ... the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."(Ph.3:12-14)

" Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake./ Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.(vv.11-12)

please remember my daughter Jessica and her family in your prayers please pray for me

Matt.5:49 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

God's ways are higher than of man. Yet Holiness of God is made manifest in absolute impartiality. Sinful man is as much in his care as His creation. Love a facet of his divine nature loved the world that He sent his word through his prophets and in these last days spoken unto us through his Son."Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly."(Ps.138:6a) and made himself the least. "Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the Lord's servant?"(Is.42:19). Humility of Jesus made him self contained in a manner of speaking.He did no sin; neither did he know it. When he was asked to be a arbiter his answer was very forthright, "Who made me a judge or divider over you?"( Luke 12:14) He was among them as His suffering servant and not as their king. Such perfection brooked no excuses or long winded precedents to justify his actions. His saying," But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil,"(v.37) was his own manner of validating the holiness of his Father. "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:"(1 Pe.2:23) He was blind so his eye of faith was ever fixed on his Father. So was he deaf that his ear was open to His will. 'Lo I have come to do thy will' he would have remain committed so his path to glory opened way beyond Golgotha.

Jesus set an example with his life. He taught us to take up their cross. But what do the Christian world say,"No Jesus only taught to follow his words." Literally Satan has in one fell swoop made away with seed sown in their hearts. Without Jesus setting an example, without the captain of their salvation what Christian Living amounts to? We see the warning 'the abomination of desolation in 23:15-16 taking shape in our time

Thank you Shabbat Keeper for coming back to me. I'll respond to your three recent posts to me with my one here.

Firstly, on the name 'Gehenna', otherwise called the "Valley of Hinnom", the Encyclopaedia definition is quite correct about the purpose why that area was set aside. It was indeed a place for the burning of refuse & the dead. And yes, it meant that they were all annihilated - no more evidence except dust & ashes. So, it can mean 'annihilation', but Gehenna can also mean 'a place of burning where the fires are never quenched'. And we know that the body is disposed of there, but what about the immaterial parts of man that remains accountable to God? And you also referenced a verse I quoted in Matthew 10:28. Taken on its own, that verse could well support your belief of a complete extermination of body, soul & spirit.

But it was for that very reason that I gave you the other verses to look up & consider. Not only was Matthew 10:28 Jesus' Words, but also Matthew 5:22,29,30; Matthew 23:33; Mark 9:43; Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 20:10,11-15. You didn't take these into account. And we know, as I trust you are conversant, that when we deal with a topic or a doctrine from the Bible, we need to take in all the references that deal specifically with it. Unfortunately, our natural human instinct is to accept only those that we find palatable or in agreement with, thus distorting the teaching from the Word.

So, if you would care to look at those other verses & see how they affect your understanding of Matthew 10:28, I would be very interested. It's only when we consider all verses on a subject, can we get a fuller picture of it meaning & its implications. However, sometimes there aren't too many verses to help us learn about the subject - in such cases we can't force a teaching by them & just leave the subject open. Yet, not so with these important doctrines of the Deity of Christ & human existence & punishment after death.

I could only imagine in mind what it is that has caused you this grief. I dare not intrude into your own personal affairs, but it's recognizable as something that is close to my heart. So, I sympathize with you, as I too have sought for answers, and much like you, that door remains shut. Yet in my own personal pursuit to cut off from my life things that I may see as a hindrance, God has given much peace. My prayer for you is that GOD would give you that same peace. Knowing that all things work together for good to them who love God, and you, who are called according to His purpose. May you be strengthen in your inner man, and may the light of our glorious Savior shine down upon you. In Jesus name

Part 2.

John having given a warning of false teachers, John returns to the theme of this section.

Believers are to Love one another.

It's not Eros: romantic, passionate love.

It's not Philia: intimate, authentic friendship.

It's Agape. love that involves selflessness and compassion which the Spirit causes us to be totally given over to.

It's supernatural Love that the Holyspirit puts in our heart toward each other.

What makes this degree of Love "Agape" special is that it is directed! God causes this degree of Love to be aimed towards one another. When we were of the world, we loved darkness. ( John 3:19) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men "LOVED" darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. "Agape is used here as well. Notice where it's directed. "DARKNESS"

Agape towards the Brothern is a fruit, not a command. Only the Spirit of God can enable us to extend this degree of love to others.

Verse 8, He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Verses 9-13.

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

Verse 16.

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Verses 20-21.

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Good night and God bless

Philippians 1:9 states; "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all JUDGMENT;

Here I believe Judgment is speaking of discernment.

Part 1.

Something to notice about 1 John 2 and 1 John 4. In 1 John when you study it carefully, you see John using the contrast of loving your brother "which is hating your brother" to illustrate the heart of nonbelievers who "say" they love God. John is saying if you don't love your brother, you don't love God!

Look at verse 2. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

It all begins in Bethlehem! Christ was born in Bethlehem. It's the incarnation is where we begin!

Calvary and the Garden tomb are meaningless unless he is who he claims to be. God in the flesh! 1 Timothy 3:16.

One way you can determine the false teacher is he will deny the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ and behind this doctrine and the lack of the Spirit, he will have no love for the Brothern. This is the Spirit of the Antichrist.

John has much to say about the deity of Christ. John 1:1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us...

1 John he has a lot to say about the Antichrist in the world.

These false teachers appeals to the flesh! We have the Spirit of Christ which protects us.

Verse 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. These false teachers intellectually appeal to the world through their fleshly minds.

Verse 5. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

God's children "WILL" respond to God's word.

Verse 7, Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

John having given a warning of false teachers, John returns to the theme of this section.

See Part 2.

Amen Brother Carleton.

We interpret the scripture as literal as we can unless prompt by perhaps words that hint not to. such as Revelation 16:13. And I saw three unclean spirits "like frogs" come out of the mouth of the dragon, ( These are not frogs, they are like frogs.)

Often you can go back to the Old Testament or other places for clarity in these symbols. perhaps the second plague that God sent upon Egypt was that of frogs. The Egyptians found the frogs to be so obnoxious that Pharaoh entreated Moses to remove all the frogs. And these frogs covered the whole land.

These evil spirits coming out of the mouth of this unholy trinity may be what is spoken and persuaded of them. look at the preceding verse.

(For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.) "Which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world" means this covers the whole word.

God bless.

You are so welcome Brother Carleton.

God bless.

1 Timothy 4:1 Continuing my thought on this subject which is not one subject in particular, but has to do with what's written in 1Tim 4:11."Now the Spirit speaks" CLEARLY "that in the latter times". Speaking of the last days. My focus is mainly on the part of the verse that says "giving heed to seducing spirits". I feel that is probably the most important part of the verse, and I'd like to start with a question, and my question is "What are we giving heed to"? To heed, or give your attention to. We can fight off a lot of things, and be totally convinced in our minds, that we have it altogether, but there's always something that the devil knows about us, that triggers us. I wrote in my last comment how we don't battle with the same things. Your struggle, or fight in this could look completely different than mine, but we're both fighting the same enemy. The devil. That's important to understand. For one, it helps us to be sensitive to others, and not to always expect others to be at the same level as we are spiritually. One could be battling with anger, and another unforgiveness, we just don't know, but all in all the one causing the havoc in our individual lives is the devil. The reason why a person struggles with these things is because they're giving their attention to something that is ungodly, or unfavorable to the LORD. They've offended God, and have not sought God in repentance. They've given heed to, or have allowed themselves to be swallowed up by that very thing they've given their attention to. This is my main point that I'm wanting to make, and that is, because they've done this, they are now bound, they've given heed, and are now in the grip of Satan. I would like to continue on this subject, but one thing I want to point out is we must keep the door of our heart shut to things which are offensive to GOD. Recognizing the difference between light, and darkness. Not allowing the devil a foot. The saying is true "Give the devil a foot and he'll take a mile."

Our current situation is grave, but not over whelming; because our GOD is sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Jeremiah waited 10 days, Daniel waited 21 days. We Saints shall wait patiently for the LORD and HIS answer.

May we be faithful in our SAVIOR, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, as we wait. We are called to be fruitful in our carrying out HIS desire for us. To make disciples Matthew 28: 18-20; to pray for those in authority 1 Timothy 2:1-3; submit ourselves to GOD and resist the devil James 4: 7, 8.

GOD to shine HIS face on all the saints and bless us that we may also be a

blessing unto others.

November 18, 2023

Thank you brother Sencer!

Recognizing answered prayer

It has been said that God will; in general either indicate a yes; no or later as to His answers to prayer. Lately I have recognized doors closing repeatedly in attempting to extricate myself from my current living situation with communication not being received; or possibilities ending up in dead ends. If only we could be so tenacious when God indicates a yes to our prayers as we can be seeking our own will when wanting things our way; or out of sync with God's timing in bringing a clear answer to our requests.

Often in relationships conflict leads us to doubt God's response favoring our petitions. Most likely this indicates indeed He is working in the situation; as the spiritual resistance is bound to occur from the enemy when the Lord is planning to give us favor in a certain area. As to HOW God intends to answer things; it is not in the mind of natural man to desire to show unconditional love to unreasonable people which later on bears fruit if we persevere. It is also inconceivable to understand how God can bring out of death and other chaos in life peace beyond understanding; using it to wake others up to eternal truths; for instance. This is a profound mystery; we surely do not understand how God uses evil for His purposes; but ultimately all rewards we receive in glory are due to sacrifice and suffering while here on earth.

Perseverance brings great reward and this is certainly true with prayer. Oftentimes it seems answers come long after we have forgotten the request; or even the situation and individuals involved with a salvation as one example. We should be equally open to recognizing the answered prayers of others and inform them of such to bring rejoicing when they come to pass. Many times we also cease striving for someone when something appears to be answered; such as with one family member saved and not striving in prayer for more. We need to be open to whom; how; when and where to pray in the Spirit.