Bible Questions & Discussion PAGE 288

I have been reading your posts for well over a year now , more like two , and you have comforted and enlightened me many many times . May God continue to bless you with wisdom and compassion , two things that shine out in your posts . Much love to you in Christ .

Personally I believe that one of the reasons we were given the gift of marriage is to help protect us from lusts that can get us into trouble . Think about Amnon , he lusted after his sister to the point of raping her , she was aware of his lust and so begged him to ask their father David for her hand in marriage . Marriage would have made his desire for her no longer sinful , so no I don't believe that lusting after your spouse is sinful . The desire for sex is natural and as such it must follow that it's God given otherwise how would we have children ? I'm loathed to be so graphic but to prove my point I feel I must , stop reading now if you are a sensitive soul ! There is a part of the female anatomy ( design by God of course ) which is only there to provide sexual pleasure for the woman . It serves no other purpose . We can lust after many things , money power blood , anything . Then the thing that we are lusting after can actually become an idol in our hearts , then we are getting into very big trouble indeed . I guess that it's also possible for ambition to cross over into being a lust , a lust to satisfy our own pride or ego . So for me , lust is a very big blanket that can cover our hearts very easily if we aren't keeping a sharp eye on ourselves . Paul says some thing like : if we judged ourselves properly then we wouldn't ever be judged by others . None of us are perfect in this life , I think that we must recognise that lust comes in many forms and often teams up with those other undesirables , pride , ego , aggression , greed and even the desire to dominate or belittle others is a form of lust , the lust to elivate ourselves by degrading or belittling others . Yes , I think it's a big blanket ! God has given us many ways , that are acceptable to Him , for us to channel our lusts and keep them from harming ourselves and others . We must learn to trust and obey Him at all times , recognising that He ALWAYS knows better than we do and , what is best for us

Hi Adam.

In Matthew 5:20 Jesus says

"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."

Then he gives the contrast of the law and how they sought after righteousness and the righteousness imputed over unto us.

I believe here in Matthew 5:28.

The Lord is letting us know the unconditional and uncontrollable earthly desires in the heart of a worldly man.

He's showing how and where sin generates.

Here the woman is the object of the lust which leads to adultery. Lust is a condition energized by the flesh.

Hate is a condition energized by the flesh and if it's directed towards someone you're guilty of murder.

The Lord is showing how sin is in you and the transgression starts before the act.

James 4:1 explains it this way.

"From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?"

Paul put it like this.

" Romans 7:22-24.For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"

These are sensual pleasures and Selfish and sinful desires that dwell in all of us and a woman doesn't have to be the object.

He's pointing out that an exterior restraint or a obedience to a command doesn't keep one from sinning because the sin is in man and he is putting righteousness on a higher plane so no one can boast.

I don't think it's wrong to notice that someone or something is attractive as we see in Genesis 24:16.

God bless you.

Dear FREE

I am sorry to hear that you are having pain and medical difficulties. Are you saying that you are mostly in bed or in a chair all day?

What do you mean when you say that your time to be a witness is ending?

I am concerned and want to know how to pray for you, dear Free.

Zane I have been praying for you and your wife.

Adam, these are some good questions.

For me, I think lust is desiring to have someone sexually, or desiring to see their body in a sexual way, not just noticing someone's beauty. It can be looking upon another in such a way that it arouses one, whereas, if they looked away and walked away sooner, the arousal would not necessarily happen.

Since I am a woman, I cannot speak for men on this matter. I know women who read "romance" novels. I think this is a form of lust. It includes fantasy about the scenarios read n the book. It includes enjoying reading the sexual accounts in the story.

Movies can be another way where lust can raise up because of the way the scenes are filmed and the sinful encounters they depict. If we have become desensitized to the sinfulness of the sexual encounters on film, then we should remove ourselves from taking in this sort of entertainment.

Pretty much anything we view to receive sexual arousal , enjoyment, and an appetite for is lusting.

As for if it is possible to lust in marriage, I think it happens more than we realize. Sexual union in marriage is designed to be unitive, loving, and God-honoring. I think if someone engages in this union with only the satisfaction of sexual desire without being unitive, loving, and God-honoring, then one has engaged in lusting after their spouse, wanting to use their bodies for pleasing one's own desires and not looking after the best interests of one's spouse.

In marriage, we are to give ourselves to one another sexually, desiring for the other to be treated respectfully, lovingly, and with mutual consensus. As a spouse one should recognize that it is oneself who is responsible to satisfy these needs in the other and that the only one to provide this pleasure is oneself for the other. So, we should do all things in love and not out of selfish desire.

Lust. Matthew 5:28

I'd like to seek counsel from other brothers and sisters in Christ on what precisely lust is.

My question is how can we know at what point noticing the beauty of God's creation becomes lust? Is lust imagining a sinful act with a specific person? What if its a daydream fantasy when someone spaces out or a dream while sleeping? Can we be guilty of sin when we're not fully conscious?

Men and women were created to be physically attracted to each other. We were designed to have excitement and I assume those natural functions are not inherently evil within the proper context, but at some point outside of marriage it is. What exactly is that point? And is it possible to lust within marriage after your own spouse? Thank you.

Jesse again I am sorry, I'm just trying to get a good understanding of what you believe. No offence but some things here don't seem to be adding up if I remember right. Isn't it part of the pre-tribulation rapture belief that the Holy Spirit is taken away, removed from the earth when the church is raptured? Wouldn't the Holy Spirit have to be here if people are being saved? If all those who are left on the earth to start the 7-year tribulation period are non-believers then who would the war in ( Rev. 12:17) be against who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ? (non-believers are non-believers) We are told in ( John 3:36) of non-believers "the wrath of God abideth on them". (That is the (wrath) of God which is very different from the great tribulation) Isn't the abomination of desolation when the antichrist sits in the holy place? ( Mt. 24:15,21,22), "he sitteth in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God" ( 2 Thess. 3-4) This will be the last 3 1/2 years ( Rev. 13:4-8) v5 Tells us "power was given unto him to continue (forty and two months)" 3 1/2 years, the last 3 1/2 years of great tribulation. (The time period the mark of the beast will be forced on all) ( Rev. 13:6) "And he opens his mouth to blasphemy against God" ( Rev. 13:7) Tells us "power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations". The mark of the beast comes just a few verses after this in ( Rev. 13:15-18) You said "The first 3 1/2 years of the 7-year tribulation is known as the pains of birth which is covered in" ( Mt. 24:4-14) I completely agree with that Jesse but I believe we are living in the beginning of sorrows time period right now! great tribulation will start soon. I honestly believe we are much farther along in the Lastdays timeline than most True Believers think we are. We are very near the End just look at this world right now ( 2 Tim. 3:1-4) Thank you for answering the questions Jesse, Iron sharpens Iron. This is how we learn. Many Blessings.

Hello all dear do you all know how valuable to the Lord u are? And testify of Him with yourselves as long as you are here on Earth. Then come Holy Spirit, be with us in understanding, and open our eyes and heart that we may see this.

When I heard that I was a witness to the Lord did I think very briefly and thought for myself that this is going to be scant and bad. (Smileys) Today after 20+ years I have found that it is the greatest task, the most fun and rewarding case, the testimony case way. Because we can be where we are, Hallelujah Amen.

Today I want to mention something to you when the Lord put a few words on me. A few weeks back, this was a hot topic in here on the web. Now I hope that the Holy Spirit shows you all who still believe that we will be taken away before the great tribulation. That He shows you that we are going to be part of much much more.

Matthew 13:47-52 Especially in verses 49-50 Here JESUS says clearly that the Angels will come and divide the wicked from the Righteous. Now remember all the scriptures that have appeared on this topic. Set up an opinion yourselves. If you don't understand it today: Same thing, because you'll see it eventually. It's true what JESUS says.

And not all teachings about this and that. We have shapes how to dress and what to eat and so on, endless rows of injunctions and rules in addition to the LAW that is in our hearts. As time has passed for my task of being a WITNESS. So, my days have ended in a separate little apartment. Which I don't want! I want to be out witnessing to the Lord. But bodily weakness kind of denies me. Or yes, I can crawl. That would be both painful and unappealing. So then the matter is this: Don't you think He may have used for me after all? Certainly, He does. Yesterday I was visited by a dear sister in the Lord, she came to me and talked about the light, a brilliant light. But we'll take that another time. Om the web the Time is short! (Smileys) See u all and be glad love u in Christ.

GiGi,

Thank you for sharing those things. I see that when Jesus was speaking in Matthew Chapter 24, He was speaking to Peter, James, John and Andrew. They were the four who came to Him privately and asked Him those three questions. Jesus was responding to the questions they asked Him. If I'm not mistaken, all four of them were Jewish. I do agree with you that Jesus was not speaking to the Jews at large.

If I may comment on your last statement saying "Jesus was warning them so that they would know what to do when Jerusalem came under siege. And He was speaking to us, for when the things foretold happen in the end."

The first part I agree with. Jesus was warning them (the Jews) what to do when Jerusalem came under siege. But I am not in agreement with the second part, that He was speaking to us, for when the things foretold happen in the end. I don't believe we (the church) will be here in the end.

Blessings to you!

Jimbob,

Thanks for the two questions. I am happy to answer them for you.

First question: Are you saying that ( Mt 24) is prophecy in the Lastdays (only for the Jews?)

I believe I already answered that one in my last post, so I have nothing more to add to what I said.

Second question: "You also said only non-believers will be left on the earth at the time of the mark of the beast. Is that true Jesse?"

Okay, I need to be more specific with what I am saying. Allow me to change what I said. Only non-believers (Unsaved people) will be on the earth at the start of the 7-year Tribulation Period. As you know, I believe the church will be removed from the earth prior to the start of the Tribulation Period, so that leaves only non-believers. The first 3-1/2 years of the 7-year Tribulation is known as the pains of birth which is covered in Matthew 24:4-14. And then right in the middle of this 7-years, we have the pivotal point ( Matthew 24:15) where we see the abomination of desolation. The abomination of desolation is when the antichrist helps the Jews to start their sacrifices again. And then the last 3-1/2 years we have the perils of tribulation. The last 3-1/2 years is called the Great Tribulation. And then we have the promise of His coming (Second coming of Christ) in Matthew 24:29-31.

So, to clarify what I was saying, only non-believers will be here at the beginning of the 7-year Tribulation Period because the church will have been raptured. But before the pivotal point (Middle of the 7 years), there will be some non-believers who were not raptured that will become believers and they will refuse the mark of the beast.

Blessings!

Jimbob and Jesse,

Pt 2.

Because the New Testament interprets the Old Testament and the Old Covenant was temporary until the New Covenant came with Jesus; because Jesus said that the kingdom would be removed from ethnic Israel, the purpose of the nation of Israel was completed in the advent of Jesus, which is why the Jews were preserved in the land of promise but not the other "brother" nation Israel (who were scattered across the world from Assyria and Jews were allowed to return to Judea). The Messiah was to come from the tribe of Judah. Jesus was of the tribe of Judah. Therefore the Jews needed to still be in the land promised in order for the promises of the Messiah would be fulfilled with accuracy for the world to see. With Jesus' advent, the purpose of the nation of Israel was completed. Jesus came through the Jews.

At the time of Jesus, Judaism was very corrupted. It was not a system that could bring them to God. It was only through Jesus' life and teachings and power that the hearts of some of the Jews were able to accept Him as the Messiah and believe on Him for salvation. These Jews became the first Christians in Jesus' lifetime and they eventually realized that they needed to forsake Judaism because it was a dead religion and stood against their Messiah, Jesus.

When Jesus was speaking in Matt. 24, He was speaking to His disciples, who had put their faith in Him, therefore they were of the true Israel of God in Christ. Jesus was not speaking to the Jews at large. This was a private encounter, away from the religious leaders and the common people. This teaching was for the church, not the Jews. These disciples belonged to Jesus just as we do. He was speaking to those who would be used to spread the gospel and establish believers in church fellowships with their preaching and teaching.

Jesus was warning them so that they would know what to do when Jerusalem came under siege. And He was speaking to us, for when the things foretold happen in the end

Good Afternoon Jimbob and Jesse,

You are having a good discussion here. I just want to mention this verses from Galatians 3

16 "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ."

7 "Know ye therefore, that they which are of fait, the same are the children of Abraham."

8 "And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed."

28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye all are one in Christ Jesus."

29 "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed,, and heirs according to the promise."

These verses tells us that the true Israel of God is one person, Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect life as a Jew. He was the perfect Israelite, He fulfilled the commandments and ordinances of the law perfectly. Those who are in Christ, being one with Him, are then the Israel of God. This does not mean that Christ and the Christian believers replace the Jews or nation of Israel. It means that Jesus and the Church [is the terminus of the nation of Israel. Any Israelite of Jew can be included in this true Israel of God by faith in Jesus. Those who do not believe have are part of a nation which Jesus said that the kingdom would be taken from them and given to another people, which is a spiritual people (which is better than ethnic by far) in Christ, the promised Seed of Abraham.

The reason why I bring this up is because Jesus was not just speaking to the Jews of His day. He knew that Judaism would come to an end along with the ethnic nation of Israel in the Roman seige of A.D. 70, (which He prophesied would happen in Matt. 24.

The plan of God came to fruition in Jesus, creating a spiritual Israel from the true Israel of God, His Son Jesus Christ

9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham."

Hello Duncan,

Good topic.

I think that God did know where Adam and eve were hiding and that they sinned for He knows all things and nothing is hidden from Him.

But I think that He called out to Adam and Eve so they would know that He was seeking them out for fellowship even after they had sinned. Did they know that God knows all things and that they really were not hidden from God? I don't know. But God reached out to them and didn't let them "run" far.

It is very comforting to know that God is so gracious and willing to come down to the level of mankind to call upon them and restore them to fellowship, as He did for Adam and Eve. Not everyone recognize God when He draws near, but those who do will either run further away and hide from Him, rejecting Him or they will repent and turn to meet Him in faith and love. We do not need to (and cannot) ascend up to God to gain fellowship. God came down to us: to Adam and Eve, in Jesus, and in the Holy Spirit within believers. How precious is this fellowship we can enjoy with God!

-God Created us to have fellowship with Him. This is found in

Genesiss 3:8-And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.

God expected to find them, but they were hiding - meaning this followship happened regularly but not anymore for sins has separated friends. Amos 3:3

-Due to the sins committed in Genessi 3:6

6, And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat

-Man died spiritually and at the end he also died physical form the world remembers the wages of sins is death and That followership which we once had with God in the beginning was repaired at the cross by Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God. in John 3:16

Its written in John 14:17

17,even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Now you see, from here unless you repent of your sins at the cross and accept Jesus Christ in your heart then Jesus Christ who is the way the truth and life will connect you to the father. the best term here is if you abide in Him.HE will abide in you the man.

as it is written in JOHN 14:23

23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

as we have seen if we love Jesus Christ then we will obey and keep his words and in keeping them the father will love us The trinity will come and followship with us.

Now note this alot of people are still searching for purpose in life but those who have given their lives to Jesus Christ the son of the living God have a purpose in life which is to followship with GOD.

ROMANS 8:14

Jesse, sorry if I misunderstood you, but what I thought you were saying is that ( Mt 24) was written to the Jews only. Are you saying that ( Mt 24) is prophecy in the Lastdays (only for the Jews?) You also said only non-believers will be left on the earth at the time of the mark of the beast. Is that true Jesse? ( Rev. 14:9-11) Tells us if any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God. So the mark of the beast will happen (before) the wrath of God is poured out on the disobedient ones who deny Jesus Christ. The wrath of God is poured upon those who accepted the mark of the beast, ( Rev. 16:1-2) The mark of the beast happens during great tribulation, The wrath of God is poured out on deniers of Jesus Christ (after) great tribulation. Thats when all who are left on the earth will be non-believers (Believers are saved from wrath) ( 1 Thess. 5:9) ( Rom. 5;8-9) ( 1 Thess. 1:10) All non-believers will face that wrath, ( Rom. 1:18) ( Eph. 5:6) ( Col. 3:6) ( John 3:36) These verses are very clear they are different time periods. You also said the remnant of her seed is (the believing Jews) If we look at (Isa.44:1) God says of Israel "whom I have chosen" ( Isa. 45:4) God calls Israel "mine elect" The word (Israel) is #3478 it means he will rule (as) God; a symbolic name of Jacob, also typically of his posterity. (OF HIS POSTERITY) Now ( Rev. 7:4-8) All the tribes of the children of Israel, His posterity. The word (Israel) in Greek is #2474; it means the adopted name of Jacob including his descendants. (The descendants of Jacob, his posterity are the remnant of the seed of Israel which was scattered among the nations by God). ( Jer. 31:10) ( Jer. 50:17) ( Ezek. 20:34) This (seed) can be taken back all the way to ( Gen. 3:15) and also ( Gen. 4:25) That seed was the bloodline that Jesus Christ would be born from into this world. Out of space more soon. Thanks again, Truth matters. God Bless you.

why did God make us

(Part 3):

Jimbob,

But there will be other Jews and Gentiles here on the earth that basically will believe in Jesus Christ as Messiah and Savior. They will lose their lives. But after Satan sees that his efforts to chase the nation into the wilderness fail, he'll go after the remnants seed.

Thank you for sharing Strong's #G4864, an assemblage of persons, specifically a Jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place) by analogy a Christian church, assembly, congregation. (The word synagogue can mean a Christian church).

I would also like to share how the Thayer's Greek Lexicon describes the word synagogue:

a. An assembly of Jews formally gathered together to offer prayer and listen to the reading and exposition of the Holy Scriptures.

b. The building where those solemn Jewish assemblies are held.

Can it also refer to a Christian Church? I guess it can if the Strong's says so. But have you ever asked another fellow believer "What synagogue do you attend?" I think if you were to ask a Christian that question, their response is probably going to be "I attend a church fellowship, not a synagogue." I really don't think you're going to find many (if any) Christian believers who will tell you that they attend a synagogue.

Blessings!

(Part 2):

Jimbob,

Where I said the word council in Mark 13:9 is literally the Sanhedrin, I got this from reading it in the Greek Text. The word used in the Textus Receptus is SUNEDRIA, and it is the word for Sanhedrin. This can also be found in your Strong's Concordance #G4892, which defines it as the Jewish Sanhedrin; by analogy, a subordinate tribunal:-council. Thayer's Greek Lexicon lists it as the Sanhedrin, the great council at Jerusalem.

Now for your question, "what could cause one to be (delivered up) and killed during great tribulation?" You say "The mark of the beast will." If you are saying that those who refuse to take the mark will be killed (beheaded), then I agree. I can't agree that this will be the church because as you know, I believe the church will not be here at that time. Only non-believers will be here. They will all be warned not to take the mark. Some will heed to the warning and receive Christ, and refuse to take the mark. They will be killed.

As for Revelation 12:17, the "woman" in this verse is making reference to the nation Israel, not the church. It says that the dragon was wroth (very angry) with the woman (Israel), and went to make war with the remnant of her seed (the believing Jews), which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

So, there is a 144,000 Jews who are sealed on their foreheads. And they will be protected. But there will be other Jews on the earth who will receive the testimony, especially from the two witnesses who are in the streets of Jerusalem. And the believing Jews that will be here on the earth, after Satan sees that he can't get to these 144,000 that are sent up to what many believe is the rock city of Petra, which is already stacked and stored with food, and many believe that will be the place.

Jimbob,

(Part 1):

I think you are misunderstanding what I am saying. I don't think I ever said that the end-time prophecies are only for the Jews. There will be both Jews and Gentiles on this earth during the tribulation period. What I am saying, and I will try and be a little more specific, but at the time Jesus was speaking those words in Matthew Chapter 24, H was speaking of end-time events, but He was speaking specifically to His disciples (Jewish believers). The church had not yet been established at the time Jesus spoke those words.

In Matthew 1:1, as Jesus was leaving the Jewish temple, His disciples (Jewish men), they came to Him asking three questions ( Matthew 1:3). And then beginning at Verse 4 and going through to the end of the chapter, Jesus answers their three questions. He is speaking specifically to these men who asked Him those questions. That is what I am saying when I said He was speaking to the Jews. I did not say that last day prophecy is only for the Jews. Those were not my words.

Now, I thought I had already answered your question in a previous post when I said that "I agreed with you that Jesus covered things that will happen during the end times." So, to answer your question is Matthew 24 prophecy for the last days? My answer is yes, except for the prophecy concerning the destruction of the temple at the beginning of the chapter which happened in 70 AD.

If you are referring to the 7-year tribulation period as the last days, then yes, Jesus covers that in Matthew Chapter 24. Whether we choose to call it the last days or end-time prophecy, I'm okay with calling it whichever one you choose. Personally, I believe we have been living in the last days for some 2,000 years now ( Hebrews 1:1-2).

Don't beat yourself up so much ! You did nothing wrong , we all have opinions and our own personalities , it's human ! It's what we are and how God made us and He makes use of us through our personalities and opinions ! The alternative is mindless souless robots . Keep up the good posts please !

It's so very hard to watch some one that you love suffer , especially when that some one is an innocent little one . This has been the situation since the begining of creation , many thousand of faithful Jews and Christians have gone through exactly what you are going through now and many thousands of them would not have had any medical resources at all . Please continue to pray to God , you and your whole family ( I am assuming that you are all Christians ) pour your heart out to Him , He hears you through Christ our Sinless Redeemer . Ask all your Christian friends to pray for your daughter also. I guess it's not a comfort to you for me to say that things could be even worse and indeed are for many people across this world . We must all accept God's plan for us and our family , this is what faith is , trusting in Him in times of great distress and darkness . ill health and death are a part of life , for all humans , we Christians have a massive advantage over atheists and idolaters , we know the Truth and we have to learn to rest in it and take comfort from it . It's hard not to be angry with God , I do know because I too am human and have suffered and witnessed the suffering of others . This is our faith , that we continue to love Him and trust in Him and His love for us no matter what the weather is , smooth sailing or rough seas ,He is with us and we must cling tighter to Him , He will bring you all back to the safe harbour but you must have faith and patience and pray always . You can be sure that many who read this site will keep you all in our thoughts . Please keep us informed .

DearSSTeach,

Adam has given you a good answer, but it may not be what you are looking for. I just don't think we can truly explain why someone like your daughter has such major sufferings and others go through life like a breeze.

God has given yo a unique situation for you to learn to love patiently, compassionately, and selflessly with your daughter. May God strengthen you each day in these ways. Gpd brings about what he does for our future benefit, most often.

I pray tonight in the name of Jesus that your daughter will not have lost any brain function, that there was not further brain damage. Lord, Jesus, keep this daughter from having more seizures ensuring that she has the proper medications and dosages that are effective. Help this mother and father to stick together on this difficult road you have them to travel. Be near them and walk with them along the way, for they will need to lean on you and depend on you for strength, for endurance, and f aith. Amen.

Thank you for your answers; however, it still doesn't answer the question. Our child doesn't have free will. She cannot make choices whether good or bad. She cannot steal, she cannot win awards, cannot get married or have children. So how is it that God has no respect or person? She is guaranteed a spot in heaven; but again, that means God is partial to her and is giving her a free ride. We need an explanation. And, where the explanation is in the Word. We have yet to find it.

Blessings Sons of God (Josephus),

Nobody has used my user name except myself. You are right; my apologies for expressing my personal opinions, resulting in nothing profitable. I hope I have not caused you any harm. If and when I respond to you in the future, I will do my best to provide scripture only, less my meaningless banter. Please pray for me that the Holy Spirit would teach me how to communicate on a higher level.

God Is

Peace

Chubby1,

Are you referring to Genesis 5:2?

Salvation and assurance Part 3.

I have stated starting this series my dissection of the Book of John. It is an excellent examination of the concept of Predestination of those the Father has given to the Son; and such facts about who is given or revealed the truth about Christ. Stating such a fact; however doesn't give those in the "hyper grace" camp as well as others license to skip over repentance as a necessary element of saving faith. God does grant repentance ( 2 Timothy 2:25 also in Acts). Perhaps it would be fair to say that it is much like salvation as a free gift; certainly it is part of what causes one to be saved. Again; avoiding the consequences of sin like Judas Iscariot did shows worldly sorrow; what Peter did was weep bitterly as He offended one that He deeply loved. ( 2 Cor. 7:10).

I also feel that it is very dangerous if we are in a Christian environment from our youth and don't really have a time that we can see a change in realizing we had been called from death to life. This is not to say that we should place all our cards on the validity of a one time statement; even if valid as we may discover that our hearts weren't really converted at first when He reveals Himself at a later time. God is beyond time and space; but if one IS to become a believer He will wait until that happens in THIS lifetime. That of course brings up questions as to why God holds back judgment for the lost; more cans of worms than I care to open at present. Our confidence; of course is to be in the finished work of Christ; but nonetheless we are HIs temple so to speak (see also 2 Corinthians 4:7). The Spirit must take residence to be truly in the faith ( John 14:23). This; as the verse indicates shows the Father active and present along with the Son of God.

Truly; one of the strongest indicators that we know the Lord is the fear of the Lord resides in us. Proverbs 9:10 is hardly isolated regarding that fact. His life should draw others to Christ in us

Salvation and assurance: Part 2

Some of us like to cherry pick our way through the scriptures; but if we look at the whole history of man; the nation of Israel and even the church in the New Testament there are many problems and snares that were in Paul's time in the early church; and prophetically were warned about by Paul; Peter and Timothy as well as John in Revelation and James as well in regard to the last days. We need to both appreciate the fact that we need to walk the straight and narrow path that few find ( Matthew 7:14); and yet not be Pharisitical in inventing the narrowest most difficult path of legalism that heads to hell. In the whole subject and as much as can be understood about predestination and whatever free choices man is given while on this earth as to his life; in the end a certain number are saved and also lost. We can say with some confidence that as Jesus stated

"you shall know them by their fruits". ( Matthew 7:15-20). There are numerous passages describing these; which are summarized in Galatians 5:22. Bad fruits such as listed in Mark 7:21 are things which the Spirit should be weeding out of our lives.

However; when it becomes clear in the long term where one's affiliations lie; we can't make the mistake of sins; even some recurring ones as proving someone isn't saved. This is where the Lord will use a rebuke to work on someone; ultimately people in the faith need to listen to the Lord as He refines and chastises them. 1 John 1:8-10 make it pretty clear that none of us even if saved are without sin; or haven't sinned in years as some like to proudly proclaim. There are clearly some much more advanced intheir maturity than others; closer to the prize. Some are more "carnal" than others; it doesn't excuse continuing that way but again we hopefully learn not to do certain things after being a believer 20 years than say 3 weeks. Saying that he confesses us as called and chosen is needed along with whatever we may proclaim.

What male and female share the same name in the bible?

Assurance of salvation series: Part 1-Just what is salvation?

Most of us are familiar with the verse in Romans 10:9-10 where we are told to confess with our mouth and believe in our hearts that Christ is Lord. I thought that I would focus on the second part since "confessional regeneration" as some Calvanists like to spin it today seems to be a rampant event. First; of course we have to assume that we are confessing the true Christ and not a New Age One; that is from a spirit that confesses that Christ indeed came in the flesh as opposed to the verse 1 John 4:3 that would cover any other errant one such as that He was just a great teacher; a Prophet or something to that affect. Truly He was the "I AM" ( John 8:56-59). That truth; as I have pointed out in previous posts proved that Peter knew with Divine Revelation such information ( Matt. 16:17). That gives us some understanding that with Judas Iscariot that likely wasn't revealed although it in not stated.

As stated earlier as well; the Calvanist likes to use the term "total depravity" describing the human soul state of unregenerate man. It is hard to argue with such logic when we see verses such as Psalm 58:3; and Isaiah 53:6; not to mention the progression toward the madness in Revelation 19; also reflected in Psalm 2.

I tend to think of our calloused hearts much like going to the dentist having our teeth cleaned. Most of us miss certain areas flossing; the plaque buildup requires major scraping; reflossing; and deep treatments with flouride while we marvel at the disgusting smelly crap that has built up in between our teeth despite what we considered adequate care. Maybe it is only me.

Or; we could look at C.S. Lewis quoting Edmond in the Narnia Series (not sure which one) where Christ was compared to a lion.

The character expected a mild peeling away of the dead skin; instead it penetrated like heart surgery. Such imagery also was given to Aslan as to how deep he had to be wounded for us.