All Discussion PAGE 2166

I've got problems excuse me but people are sick and dying there is phammon in the world. I take it to heed that the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away if there were a thing I could do to prevent this from my path I'd pray for a healing of spiritual dispare and a format resolve of proceedance of character. The trials and tribulations my have me assundered at times with loved ones unsure of my love for my own. IAM seen as an indegent with no more respect of one's own than any others. I haven't s Bible as of now and request prayer and guidance. There is peace and comfort in God blessing the man that's got his own. With humbleness I seek the wisdom and endurance of Job in his trevaling with the corruption that the devil befell him in the book of the old testament. Therefore I turn it over in his hands that nearer my soul to him with speed I pray for a spiritual uphealing of character and strength to withstand my fralties of person in all the things of weekends and being for commitment and mind also body.

Hi Vince,

I'm not here to get in between this discussion. Just wondering who are "these people" who teach and keep people from reading the Old Testament you have stated twice now? Obviously no one here, I know of, as the Old Testament is regularly spoken of and promoted.

There is a New Testament(Covenant). Here's God speaking of it in the Old Testament, Jeremiah 31:31-34. Yes the Old Testament is quoted several hundred times in the New Testament. Though there are many things in the New Testament not in the Old Testament.

Just to be clear to maybe help others you are conversing with. What are God's Laws or God's Commandments you are stating we should follow? All of the 613 Mitzvot laws or just the Ten Commandments?

Jesus Christ is the way.

1 John 3:22-24 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us.

Romans 13:8 & 10 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

God Bless.

These past chapters are poems to me. Hard to decypher for those who dont read poetry. So far I can get the idea.

I shall be no more in the morning. Does Jobs know he will die by morning or hopes? Curious to find out in the next readings.

Michael,

Thank you for asking me to share my thoughts. Here they are:

In John 15:6, the word abide (MENO) denotes permanency. There are branches that are in the tree but are dead branches, and there are those branches that abide permanently in the tree or vine. It says if a man abide not in me. So this is talking about someone who is not saved. A saved person is a person who is abiding in Him, and that person is the one who abides permanently. It's the dead branches (Unsaved) that are cast into the fire. These branches do not produce fruit because they are dead.

I can't take Romans 11:21 without considering Verses 19 and 20 also. Why were the natural branches not spared? These branches were broken off because of their unbelief. This is referring to the Jews who rejected their Messiah. No salvation there.

2 Peter 2:20-22 does not tell me they were saved. Having knowledge of the Lord does not mean they were saved. In Verse 21, the emphasis is on what they know. They haven't surrendered their life to Christ. Verse 22 would indicate to me that they were never saved. They had the knowledge of the truth, but never surrendered to Christ.

There has to be a transformation and a change because a pig will always go back. You can wash it, put a bow around its neck, spray it with perfume, and you know what's going to happen. It's going to dive right back into that mud hole again.

Both verses in Hebrews are referring to Jews who were following along with the teachings and were being enlightened to the truth, but never surrendered their life to Christ because of the persecution they would face if they were to do so. Do you realize what it would cost a Jew, even today if they were to give up Judaism to receive Christ as their Messiah? These Jews were being enlightened to the truth but instead of surrendering to Christ, they decided to return back to Judaism.

You are not representing what is written in 1 Corinthians 12. Through Paul, the Body of Christ on this present day earth is explained. These gifts are given by the Holy Spirit; as He wills. Not as people will.

The gifts and callings are without repentance. As we stay plugged into Jesus, by way of the Holy Spirit: the gifts operate; as He wills it. He anoints the person with the gift.

If we don't know anything about these gifts, it's not going to make much sense to the natural mind. The natural mind of man/woman is at enmity with God.

There's a really good book you can pick up: "The Spiritual Man", by Watchman Nee. It will enlighten you just how useless a gift is when it's guided by a mind of carnality.

I do not mean to offend anyone at all. I found that very WEIGHTY book quite offensive! I stuck with it and knew that the rest of my life would be a battle between spiritual, or carnal (flesh; meat).

The soul is like a willful child that follows whatever is dragging it along.

The thought that we could fully give ourselves to take on the character of the Spiritual man/woman is a lifelong quest to follow the Holy Spirit. Whatever he says, do it. He will prepare us and anoint us for each task.

You need to accept that there are modern day, apostles. They are called MISSIONARIES. They go to where God leads them. The local church sends, equips, supports financially, intercedes for. They go where others are terrified to go. They could be killed for their work.

God still has Prophets. God speaks, they listen. The ones that God uses today aren't on stage: they are intercessors who give birth to Thus Saith The Lord. Ezekial 37:5. It's full time ministry. Stand in the gap; Build up a Hedge of prayer and protection. Fight off attacks from satan Eph 6. Sit in the Watchtowers. They don't have time or desire for worldly pleasures. War Room people.

We should all give our gifts to God for His use.

ISAIAH 6:7-11

Mishael

Vince,

I can tell you that I am very secure in my salvation. Jesus Christ has given me eternal life. He gave me Himself, and He is eternal. As long as He lives in me, I will remain saved. And he said He will NEVER leave me. I'm not being arrogant. I'm just trusting in God's saving power. I'm sorry if you're not secure in your salvation. It would be hard for me to live day by day wondering if this is going to be the day I lose my salvation. I place my full trust in Jesus Christ when it comes to salvation. I don't agree that eternal security or "Once saved, always saved" comes from Satan. I would be more inclined to believe that Satan wants us to believe we can lose our salvation. Satan is the one who accuses us and puts doubt and fear in our minds and causes us to have doubts.

I've read through Revelation and I do not see any concrete evidence of a true believer, one who loves the Lord and keeps His commandments, losing their salvation. Jesus said if you love me, you will keep my commandments. That is not a challenge for us to try and keep them. He's giving us a factual statement. YOU WILL keep them. Why? Because His Spirit dwells within and causes that person to keep His commandments.

I'm also sorry to hear that you have been taught not to read the Old Testament. No one has ever taught me that. If you feel you might lose your salvation, I would start looking for verses that show you that you have eternal security in Christ Jesus. That's my hope for all who have doubts about their salvation, that they may find comfort in the one who has saved them, the one who has promised to never leave them, and the one who is keeping them until the day He comes back to redeem them!

What causes more deaths then car accidents and heart attacks combined its name is GOSSIP! It causes spiritual death and takes many prisoners captive if you see it avoid it ladies and gentlemen.

Lenny, the way that I can understand this verse (in Isaiah 45:7), is to see the contrasts given therein. The Lord God says that He forms (creates) light. If that light is removed, the result is darkness. So in a sense, He has also created darkness (or, at least chosen not to remove that darkness by some other means, other than using light).

Likewise, God makes (or, gives) peace. If He chooses to remove that peace, that absence of peace is unrest, war, turmoil (evil). So I don't believe the verse indicates that God specifically chooses to create evil (sin?), but when He removes peace & serenity from a person or from the world, the result is not good at all. Maybe we could ask, 'Why would God want to remove the peace He gives?' It could be for accomplishing of His purposes in man or in the world & to show man how deep his wickedness can go when God is not in his view & His Peace is not in Him. And we remember, that these words were spoken to Cyrus (verse 1), a Persian ruler, whom God used to accomplish His purposes on behalf of Israel. So these words came to remind Cyrus who this God of Israel was with Whom he was dealing with.

Hello Vince,

Thank you for your response. Yes, we both agree that we must obey God's commandments and remain faithful until death to inherit the blessings. Where we don't, perhaps, see eye to eye is what are the commandments of God today.

Do you keep God's commandments by getting circumcised as per Leviticus 12:3?

Do you keep God's commandments and dwell in booths for seven days every year as per Leviticus 23:42?

Do you make fringes on the border of your garments as per God's commandment at Numbers 15:38?

Do you go up to Jerusalem three times a year as per God's commandment at Exodus 23:17?

If you answer no, it seems to me that you don't, after all, obey God's commandments. Jesus and the Apostle John did not say, "If you obey the 10 commandments", but rather, "If you obey the commandments" (all the commandments). The question arises, though, which commandments?

I would suggest the commandments of the New Covenant (or Testament) found in the portion of our Bibles called the New Testament.

As for Matthew 5:17-18, please note one important point - it says till all be fulfilled. The purpose of the law was fulfilled when Christ offered up his perfect life in sacrifice. Then, it was done away with. Notice:

Galatians 3:23-25 "But before faith came, we were kept under the law (a schoolmaster), shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore THE LAW WAS our SCHOOLMASTER to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But AFTER that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster (the law).

That's why Jesus also said at the parallel account of Matthew 5:17-18 found at Luke 16:16.

Luke 16:16 "The LAW and the prophets WERE UNTIL JOHN: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it."

Then, Jesus set up the New Covenant.

Luke 22:20 "Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."

I welcome your further thoughts.

Good day, Vince.

Hi Michael.

It's 10:45 pm here in Ga. I will be glad to continue our conversation tomorrow after work. I have to get up at 4am.

Goodnight and God bless.

Hi Vince,

I was wanting to answer your question, "If God, Himself, told us that there is no New Thing under the Sun, why do we have a New Testament?"

Good question.

I would suggest you ask God that question since he himself prophesied through his prophet Jeremiah that he would set up a New Covenant (or Testament).

Jeremiah 31:31-32 "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant (testament) with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant (testament) that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant (testament) THEY BRAKE, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

Notice why God sets up the New Covenant. It says they brake (in modern English, broke) the Mosaic law covenant or testament. Thus, when a contract is broken, you have to set up a new one.

Hebrews 8:7 "For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second."

Hebrews 8:13 "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away."

God is God. He does what he wants. We can be sure that whatever he does is just and perfect.

I welcome your comments.

Good day.

Hi Nana.

Can you give a little more clarity?

" can a Christian be come a chief."

Thanks and God bless.

Alyssa.

This description we have of the Lord in Revelation 1:14-16 is a picture of him in his Glory. Not the way he walked down hear on earth!!

Let's visit the text.

Revelation 1:14-16. His head and his hairs were "WHITE" like wool, as "WHITE" as "SNOW";

( the emphasis here is the color of his hair not texture! It speaks of ETERNITY, ANCIENT OF DAYS. )

as you see here in

Daniel 7:9. I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the ANCIENT OF DAYS did sit, WHOSE GARMENT WAS WHITE AS SNOW, and the hair of His Head like the pure wool:

and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

( His judgment is righteous, nothing hidden. )

as you see here in

Hebrews 4:13. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace;

( Brass is a material that could withstand heat, fire speaks of judgment )

( HE'S PURE ) " NO INIQUITY FOUND IN HIM "

and his voice as the sound of many waters.

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

and the two edged sword.

Hebrews 4:12. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

THIS IS GOD! not a black man or a white man, or any other. HE'S THE GLORIFIED CHRIST JUDGING HIS CHURCH!!

I'm sure others can add more revelation to this.

God bless.

Daniel Rudolph and Jesse,

There is no such thing as "Once Saved Always Saved", that's straight from Satan himself. God told John Himself what he would do to Christians not keeping the Commandments.

( Rev 2:12) And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

God Himself is rebuking his Church and threatened to kill them with the sword of his mouth, which signifies Hell. But why would God do such a thing? Because people were not keeping the commandments, eating things sacrificed unto idols, commiting fornication, which are all Laws but since we have been taught not to read the Old Testament, we are ignorant of these things.

Answer me this, If God, Himself, told us that there is no New Thing under the Sun, why do we have a New Testament? We don't, its all one, connected. All the Disciples and Apostles studied and quoted the ,"so called Old Testament". Everything that they preached and taught came straight from there but these people keep us from even looking into it.

Read the remainder of Revelation chapter 2 and 3 for yourself, he's rebuking 6 of the 7 Churches and threated to kill them! These people were indeed followers of Christ but had Hell dangled over there heads. All Praises to the Great I AM!

Hello, Donna.

I believe the Bible is truth and therefore cannot contradict itself. It may be difficult to fully understand at times but that falls on us as the reader or believer. God doesn't ask us to understand but to trust Him.

I agree with Adam; much of what God has done is not mentioned in the Bible. I wish that I could I could provide verses about this but it is mentioned that there are many things we do not know.

As for being made in His image, I believe that man was created in His spiritual image. God has feelings and so do we. God is creative and so are we, etc.

Hope this helps.

Hello S Spencer,

Regarding Hebrews 6:13-19, I would direct your attention specifically to verse 15.

Hebrews 6:15 "And so, AFTER HE HAD PATIENTLY ENDURED, he obtained the promise."

Compare that with Hebrews 6:12.

Hebrews 6:12 "That ye be not slothful, but followers of them WHO THROUGH FAITH AND PATIENCE inherit the promises."

James 2:21 "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?"

What would have happened had Abraham developed a wicked heart and refused to obey God? What if Abraham had cursed God and returned to his original place of residence - the land of Ur? Would he have inherited the promises?

What happened to Israel when they became bad? Did they inherit the promised land? Were they (that generation) not all destroyed in the desert and did not enter the promised land?

Hebrews 3:10-11 "Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest."

Jude 1:5 "I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having SAVED the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward DESTROYED them that believed not."

1 Corinthians 10:5 "But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness."

God's promises are certain. They will never fail. They are, in fact, like an anchor. So we can absolutely trust God. However, for us to benefit from those promises, we must exercise faith in God - unwavering trust in obeying God and all that he asks of us.

James 2:26 "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD also."

2 Peter 1:10-11 "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election SURE: for IF ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Good day.

Hello Michael,

I totally understand your prospective, but lets think for a min. Did Paul and the other

Apostles contradict what Christ himself came to tell us? Christ said: ( Matthew 5:17) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 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. So I ask you, has the Heaven and Earth passed away? not at all. So, Here is Christ, himself telling you that the Law is not fulfilled or the Prophets. He also told us to keep his commandments, am I right?

( John 15:10) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Here is Christ giving you a definition of what the Love of the Father is, it's keeping his commandments.

( 1 John 5:3) For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

( 1 John 5:2) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

( John 14:15) If ye love me, keep my commandments.

I can go on and on, The Commandments are a must, it's not an opinion of the Disciples, it's the Doctrine of Christ. The Churches have lied to us when they say we don't have to keep the commandments.

Now, you say once saved, a person must keep himself in God's Love, I showed you what God's love is, Keeping the Commandments but you have twisted that as well. ( Matthew 24:13) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. This means that you are not saved until the end, meaning if you die now or when Christ returns. The scriptures are self evident, they need no interpretation from man.

The Creator gave us a road map and free will, Choose wisely but I beg anyone reading this, don't let the Church do your work, Christ gave you Books, read them and pray for understanding, The Spirit will guide you into all Truth!

The Criteria for being an apostle was to have seen the resurrected Christ ( Acts 1:22)

Apostles and Prophets are the foundation of the church and Christ the Chief Cornerstone

( Eph. 2:20)

There are no more Apostles and Prophets they are the foundation.

The foundation of the church is The Word of God.

Old testament Prophets wrote most of the Old Testament, the Apostles wrote most of the New Testament, except Jude a servant, Hebrews writer unknown.

Apostles and Prophets were chosen by God for a special purpose, the Apostles were given power and authority to do the will of God.

Any one claiming to be either a prophet or an apostle in this dispensation of the church would have to be considered FALSE.

This is what brings "UNITY of the Faith"

This is what keeps you from being tossed about by every wind of doctrine.

Evangelists, pastors and teachers.

Lastly if Apostles and Prophets were relevant in this era, Paul would have told Timothy to ordain them instead of elders. But Paul knew Ecc 3:1 "There is a season for everything under the sun" and he knew the season for apostles ended with him 1Cor 15

I started reading this when my uncle passed away. I miss him so much.

Thank you for your response

Brother Stan, may CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding. Most of the Psalms are prophecies pointing to the NEW COVENANT. Christ already knows the END. He knows because HE SPOKE THE WORDS before the foundation of the world. They are coming to fruition at HIS APPOINTED TIME. (his works)

Ecclesiastes 3:1-9

Hebrews 4:3 For we which have believed do ENTER INTO (SABBATH) REST, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into MY (SABBATH) REST: although THE (his) WORKS were FINISHED from the foundations of the world. Christ has been RESTING since those first six days; you are defiling the SABBATH if you are not also resting (IN CHRIST'S WORKS): THE WORKS ARE DONE (COMPLETE).

Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor setteth in the seat of the scornful.

Christ is declaring kis WORKS that the death and resurrection of HIMSELF will bring to mankind. At his APPOINTED TIME in each of us. HIS WORKS!

Proverbs 16:6 BY MERCY and TRUTH iniquity is purged.....(his works)

Romans 2:4...not knowing that THE GOODNESS of God leadeth thee to REPENTANCE? (his works)

Isaiah 27:12 And it shall COME TO PASS in that day (NEW COVENANT) (day of the Lord)... ye shall be gathered ONE by ONE (appointed time)...(his works)

Revelation 21:3 ...Behold, the tabernacle (temple) of God is with men...CHRIST IN YOU (his works)

1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that YE are the temple of God (new heaven), and that the SPIRIT of God DWELLETH IN YOU. (his works)

Revelation 21:22 And I saw no temple therein (new Jerusalem), for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb ARE THE TEMPLE OF IT (CHRIST IN US). Accomplished at the NEW COVENANT. Death and resurrection of Christ. New heaven (NEW dwelling place of God) and new earth (new body; no longer dust, but THE GLORY OF GOD)! (his works)

Thank you for your answer

Wine referred to was alcoholic, because of verses like this John 2:10. Jesus' first miracle was to make wine for the wedding, so He must not have a problem in small responsible amount. And the Word also recommended it to protect against illness. There are many medicines, drugs prescribed today for medical reasons that in larger doses would be irresponsible and harmful to our body/holy temple.

I personally don't see wine referred to as a mocker as a condemnation of wine for all situations. Anything in excess is harmful and can be abused and become an addiction.

Hi Donna,

The Bible doesn't contradict itself.

Sometimes people assume that something they don't understand is contradictory.

World populated by two people. Genesis 1:28. First, God made special provisions for Adam & Even and family as they were first. Of course it was not a sin to reproduce among their family, but the opposite might have been sin since God commanded them to reproduce. Just because at an unknown time after God made it a sin to commit incest doesn't mean that applied to Adam and Eve. People also accused Adam and Eve of having premarital sex, but obviously that moral law wasn't enacted yet and was obvious that Adam and Eve had no one else other than God to proclaim they were married.

Secondly, some believe God created more people either at the same time or slightly later than Adam and Eve, because of the reference to the land of Nod. If there was a land there, it sounded like a region populated by people and if so how did they get there. God probably had something to do with that. Not every detail is 100% described in the Bible. In Genesis 1-2 a lot happens and it can't possibly cover everything. So, it shouldn't be a surprise that one won't have 100% of the answers.

Made in God's image: yes, God is a spirit and we are both physical and spiritual beings. God can also be a physical being too- as indicated when he wrestled with Jacob, etc. Made in God's image doesn't automatically mean physical. It could be spiritual, or emotional, or other characteristics we have that are unique to us and not in other animals.

We're in revelation it tells u the sign of the times

The Bible seems to contradict itself sometimes. I dont understand how the world was populated by only 2 people. Where did the people come from that able was scared would find him and kill him when he was sent into the land of nod. Incest is a sin so who had those people?. I also dont understand how we were made in Gods image when It says God is a spirit. I need help

How did Adam and Eve populate the whole world when insest is a sin

Hello Vince,

Thank you for your comments. I was wanting to respond specifically to your comment, "I guess they think Christ died on the cross so we can be Lawless."

No, I do not believe that Jesus died for me so that I could be lawless. I do want to obey God's Laws. However, what has God commanded me to do? Would you suggest that I be circumcised so as to keep God's Law recorded at Leviticus 12:3? Why would I do that when the Apostles decided in Acts 15 that I need not be circumcised in order to serve God.

So, what do I obey. As a Christian, I obey the instructions that the Apostles gave to the first-century Church in the epistles from Romans to Revelation. They never tell me to keep the Sabbath or be circumcised or keep the festivals of Israel. In fact, they tell me the opposite:

Colossians 2:16 "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:"

Galatians 4:10 "Ye observe days (sabbaths), and months (lunar month), and times (festivals), and years (sabbatical). I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain."

I obey the New Testament made between God and the Church of God via the mediator Jesus Christ since I am a Christian. I do not obey the Old Testament made between God and ancient Israel via the mediator Moses. I am not an Israelite.

Please see Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Hebrews 8:7-13.

Notice that the Bible is separated into 2 portions - the Old Testament and the New Testament. Jesus inaugurated the New Testament with his shed blood. See Luke 22:20. These are the laws that I obey - God's laws for Christians in the New Testament.

I kindly invite your comments.

Good day.

Why would the Bible tell someone to drink wine when strong drink is a mocker . Are they takking about grape juice or wine that swirls in the glass