Bible Questions & Discussion PAGE 334

Dear Donna, Please know that I keep praying for Daniel. We Mom's need to persist in prayer as Jesus illustrated in the parable of the persistent widow and the judge. God is so much better than any human judge. He is faithful to hear our prayers . He is teaching us something through our persistence. But it is painful to watch our loved ones continue in rejection of Him, or sinful ways, or harmful habits, an enslavement to forces stronger than we can be, such as drugs and alcohol. But we can believe that God is our faithful Father and that He is always at work to answer our prayers in the best way.

I will be praying for Daniel and others here who are struggling so much and resisting God so much.

Also, I was just thinking about you since you have not posted for a while. Good to hear from you.

Hello Gmmoore,

Necromancer is a sorcerer who uses divination to conjure up communications with dead people. The goal is to use occult magic to summon the spirits of those in the world of the dead to interact or to gain information about the spirit world, the future, or occultic magic and power.

Romans 3 is a key chapter in the New Testament. We all come to God on an equal basis- SINNERS in need of His Salvation. God has set forth Christ as our MERCY SEAT, we come to God by Faith in Christ and His BLOOD shed for SIN.

The spelling of Esaias that you see in Matthew 3:3, as well as other places in the New Testament (such as Matthew 4:14, John 12:38, Romans 9:27, etc.), is because the KJV translators preferred to record Isaiah's name as it's written in Greek (since the NT was written in that language). Whereas in the Old Testament, Isaiah is written as shown, the equivalent of the Hebrew, Ysha'yah (pr. yeh-shaw-yah), which means 'God (Yahweh) is salvation'.

Marty Whitton:

Christ died for all men, while they were yet in their sins.

ALL MEN died on the cross with Christ, because Christ DIED for ALL MEN.

Christ was RAISED back to LIFE by the spirit of our Father; therefore ALL MEN were raised back to Life, because Christ was raised back TO LIFE.

All men now have the LIFE of the Father, the SPIRIT being the LIFE, instead of blood being the LIFE.

God is HOLY, therefore ALL MEN are HOLY, because the LIFE in them is HOLY.

Christ has done the WORK, the problem is man want believe, THAT WORK: they want to ADD to that WORK by saying it up to man to accept that work or reject that work.

Does man's rejection nullify the WORK, most will say YES, but how can it be nullified when IT'S ALREADY DONE?

Since Christ IS IMMORTAL LIFE, and Christ is the LIFE IN YOU, man has eternal LIFE.

God Bless YOU!

Thanks David0920, I agree with what you've written - none can deny it - it is there in Scripture. But was wondering, as from your original statement, "Because of some of the comments I see here, I feel compelled to again state what the Bible declares regarding how we are to view and interpret the Bible."

From that I wasn't able to discern (by your quoting from Matthew chapter 13), whether your compulsion to bring up your concern was because of some who believe that the whole Bible has to be read as a parable (i.e. historical events that bring out another (deeper) spiritual meaning), or you were refuting such an interpretation. For me, when a parable is clearly given (as Jesus gave to the multitudes), it is a story with familiar events but those events & people represent a spiritual Truth of the Kingdom of God. Yet, some view not only Jesus' parables as such but the whole Bible being a parable, maybe taking an event as Noah planting a vineyard ( Genesis 9:20), that this act would have a deeper meaning, using some NT references such as Matthew chapters 20 & 21 to support their belief, which is incredible to my reading & understanding.

If you could clarify your position on this, I (& maybe others) would know the reason for your presentation, as your statement, "God did not write the Bible so that it is easy to come to truth", was puzzling. Thank you.

A Question... His word says without Holiness, we cannot see the Lord

All men have sinned and come short of the glory of God. None doeth good, no not one. How, then, can I explain to an unbelieving lost soul how to attain Holiness in a way that can fully assure the gift of eternal life will be theirs.?

These scriptures, I believe are prophecing about the millennial reign as it speaks of people from " all nations " going up to the holy hill & Christ will teach the people His ways. People will war no more.

You read where God will Judge all nations towards the end.

It's my understanding the new Jerusalem rests on this holy hill as well. Not 100% on that but pretty sure as Christ is ruling from his Holy temple.

In Matthew Ch. 3 Vs. 3 ) this verse refers back to the book of Isaiah and words he quoted.

Why is Isaiah spelled incorrectly??

Thank you.....

What is a necromancer?

Please pray for Daniel. God knows what it's gonna take to save Daniel. Please move in Daniel's life Father. In Jesus name.

Blessings Angelia Patton,

You are doing right in constantly seeking God. Trust in our self is futile. When we experience mental pain and anguish, it is because we've slipped into listening to our own voice. All knowledge lies behind every decision the Holy Spirit makes for us. One of our functions here is to decide against deciding what we want, in recognition that we DON'T know. Say to the Holy Spirit only, "Decide for me", and it is done, for His decisions are reflections of what God knows about you, and in this light error of any kind becomes impossible. I've come to realize my stubborn mind is my only enemy, and this part of my mind seems so loud. The Holy Spirit's Voice is only as loud as my willingness to listen. It cannot be louder without violating my freedom of choice, which the Holy Spirit seeks to restore, but never to undermine.

Peace,

GOD IS

In Chapter 2:1-5 Of the Book of Isaiah , is the Author prophet-zing about the Coming of jesus Christ.

Lemme just ramble a bit.... Mark 8:22....Remember the blind man cd not see clearly under the 1st anointing....The blindman is the Church that cannot see clearly under early Church Doctrine...Thats y there are so many different Churches on every corner....None of them cd see clearly under early Church doctrine...Even Paul says we see like thru a glass darkly....The early Church was the same they cd not see clearly...Paul writes i hear there are divisions among you....Simply b/c they cd not see clearly UNDER EARLY Church Doctrine....We all need that 2 nd anointing....My lil Children of whom i travail IN BIRTH AGAIN A 2ND TIME....in birth til Christ is formed in you...It was not till the 2 nd coming when the woman gives birth to THE MANCHILD the Kingdom Gal 4 :19 ....Thats y there is so much confusion in this room no body can see clearly under the written word....The lesser light....The H.G. as the manchild that is gonna rule all nations is the living word the greater light...Remember the 2 nd wine was the best wine on the 3 rd day...But the blindman saw clearly under the 2 nd anointing....The 2 nd coming...When God will pour out of his spirit on ALL FLESH....The gift of the H.G....Which is that lil Child that is gonna rule all nations....The Kingdom does not come till the woman births the Children... Micah 5:3...The Kingdom does not come till the woman births the manchld.. REV 12 :5

Even Bathsheba had to travail a 2 nd time b/f...The great king Solomon was born...The Granson who God wanted to build the temple...Not David the son but Solomon the Granson...Which is the H.G. The 3 rd person that is gonna build his temple in our hearts and minds....As our bodies are the temple of God under the H.G. this New Covenant. in his blood ...And Jesus tells us a greater then Solomon is here..Impling a greater temple will be built under this new covenant in our hearts and minds ...via the H.G. That Child of Promise...Our new hearts and new spirits are the New Heaven n Earth.

I have often said,"i don't trust myself, well someone asked me "how can you not trust yourself?," i said,"because if i had trusted myself i would not have caused a lot of the pain i had done to myself, my trust is in god who has always been better to me ,than i have to myself. daily i seek him and his wisdom.pray for me.

samuel 3:1_10

I would also hasten to add that our salvation is not dependent upon our knowledge of the Bible.

Look at the salvation of the Ninevites. They had virtually no knowledge of the Word of God whatsoever. Jonah came to them with one message God will destroy you in 40 days. They recognized this as the Word of God, humbled themselves, and repented. Why? Because God was at work in their hearts to save them. Jonah 3.

Matt 12:41

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Why does Genesis 26 read God made mean in "our" image and in the next verse 27 "in his own image"?

Any thoughts? Is this a translation error?

Thank you.

Chris,

Matthew 13:10-17

And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Matthew 13:34, 35

All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

Ruby,

Yes. We cannot isolate a verse or a passage from its immediate context or the context of the entire Bible and expect to come to truth. We must compare scripture with scripture. The Bible is its own interpreter. It is its own dictionary.

We do not interpret scripture by what we see outside of the Bible. But we can sometimes understand what is happening in the church and in the world as we come to truth from the Bible itself.

We see sin multiplying in the world. And we see how the Bible has lost its ultimate authority in the churches and denominations as nearly every church teaches some element of a works / grace gospel and has more and more brought the world into the church. All predicted in the Bible and under God's control as we approach the end.

Will our pets be raptured with us? I love my little Tzh Zu. He's the sweetest loving dog. He loves every body ....I hope there's a scripture somewhere that includes our pets because if it was possible, he would be a Christian dog...

I do agree with most of what you have written David0920. However, when Jesus spoke in parables, he knew his audience (even His disciples) could not grapple with spiritual Truth, hence His sharing simple stories about life that people could understand. This type of delivery should have caused them to hunger for more (of these stories), & some in whom a glimmer of light would arise, to attend more to the Lord's deeper messages to them.

But not all Scripture are given as parables, or with hidden deeper meanings. Where verses are clearly written metaphorically, or even not understood by us because of the time & place they reference, we should approach them carefully, keeping ourselves open to the Spirit for His help. Though, when you wrote, "God did not write the Bible so that it is easy to come to truth", I would question that. True, as I wrote, some things are difficult, even to the most studied & skilled persons, but the essential Truths leading to salvation; of most historical events; & of holy living, should be easily read & discerned throughout the Bible. If not, then the Bible becomes meaningless, valueless & best to be shelved for good.

But if we're sensing some deeper hidden meaning in a Scripture, we should be careful that our other supporting Scriptures are not strained & twisted to suit our beliefs. I too have seen a lot of it here, maybe not what you're referring to, and stand amazed & distraught at what can be done to the pure Word of God.

Amen, Jesse, Amen

Dear Ruby, you are wrong about me. I have studied the Bible all of my life, starting when I was nine. I have only had a computer for about two years in which I can study many topics. I love the Scriptures. I know that God does help us to understand the Scriptures, but I am aware enough to know that our carnal nature can distort what the Spirit brings to us. I am not foolish enough to think that what I understand is 100% accurate.

But anyways, Ruby, I would appreciate if you will not evaluate me and my relationship with God and His Word so negatively. You do not know me and I do not know you. We can judge what we speak concerning the word, but not whether one is doing things rightly in their private relationship with God. Your comments about me give off an air of superiority. Even if you say you mean well, (and I believe you) how you described me was offensive.

Debbie will pray for your daughter. What is her name?

Hello Betsy. You can pick up on the Apostle Paul's narrative from verse 10. Paul is comparing what the spiritual man receives & understands to the natural (or, carnal) man's understanding. Those who have God's Spirit in them are already thinking & discerning matters of the world & eternity at a completely different level than those without His Spirit.

When we speak about spiritual things to the carnal, natural man, they can seem absurd (or, foolishness, as v14 puts it) to him. It's like we're talking nonsense to him. So in verse 15, Paul writes, 'that the spiritual person (the one indwelt & led by God's Spirit) judges (or, examines, discerns) all things (at that higher level - with the Mind of God). But the spiritual person cannot be correctly judged (discerned) by the carnal person because he has no reference at all to God, to God's Words or to God's Ways.' The spiritual person is an oddity to him & whatever he thinks of, or gives judgement about the Christian, it will likely be founded on falsehood & surmisings & not in the Truth that is hidden in the spiritual Life in Christ.

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Revelation 13:11: of another beast. I understand this one to be representative of the False Prophet who is anti-Christ's lieutenant, if you will, speaking with the same authority & force as Satan himself. A deadly duo indeed. And we see this lieutenant again in Revelation 16:13 (all three are separate: Satan, anti-Christ, & the false prophet), Revelation 19:20 & Revelation 20:10. Yes, the dragon is Satan, but we can identify the beast & the false prophet as separate entities, coming from Satan.

And I agree with a lot of what you shared in your page 2, with the exception of course to the beast which speaks like a dragon; I don't believe this is Satan but the false prophet. And yes, it is in the first 42 months that the anti-Christ appears & causes this worldwide mayhem & God's Wrath being poured out during the second 42 months.

But our problem remains: when is the Rapture? Is it after the first 42 months, or before it? Again, my critical verses are 2 Thessalonians 2:1-9. How we understand the meaning of the 'restrainer', will most likely place us in the pre or post-trib position. Paul's readers were confused & agitated that the Day of the Lord had begun (as taught by the false teachers). Paul assured them that the 'restrainer' hadn't been removed yet, allowing the man of sin to be revealed & assume his dictatorship. But the question, 'who is he who restrains? Thank you again Jimbob for this lively & inspiring discussion; I appreciate the time you've given to it.

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I have to apologize Jimbob for what I wrote previously concerning the Revelation 13:1 beast. I should have been more attentive; I was swayed by verse 3, "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." Without checking against Scripture, my immediate thought was the head that was healed represented the anti-Christ: which of course, it doesn't - likely, Rome, his originating city.

Now giving this passage my full attention, my understanding is that the last great empire to fall was the Roman Empire (476 AD & was certainly in power at the time of this prophetical writing). And those horns & crowns represent those nations confederate with the beast. And I also agree with your comments on verses 4 to 6. And then we come to that verse that causes conflict: verse 7, "And it was given unto him (anti-Christ) to make war with the saints". Clearly, there are believers present during anti-Christ's reign. Are these all believers that are living to this point in time not yet raptured, or, believers who have come to Christ (whether from reading the Bible, by the ministry of the two witnesses, or even the work of 144,000 of Israel's tribes)? Again, we hit a fork in the road, as the post-tribulationist will understand this as all believers are still on Earth - with the Rapture not having taken place yet. But will the Rapture, any rapture, take place for these martyred saints? I don't believe there is one, just a resurrection of the dead to join Jesus in His Millennial reign on Earth.

What does it mean in I Corin. 2:15 when it says ". . .yet he himself is judged by no man.?)

Because of some of the comments I see here, I feel compelled to again state what the Bible declares regarding how we are to view and interpret the Bible.

> Christ is the author of the WHOLE Bible. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we behold his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:1,14

> the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit 2 Peter 1:21

> Christ spoke in parables (earthly stories with a spiritual meaning). But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples. Mark 4:34

> We compare spiritual with spiritual. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:13

The historical-grammatical method of interpretation seeks to discover the writer's intended meaning, customs of the times, and the writer's intended audience. This method, however, fails to recognize that GOD is the AUTHOR of the WHOLE Bible and that the WHOLE Bible is written for us TODAY.

Moreover, as we approach the end of the world, and the coming of the bridegroom, God is unsealing truths that have been kept sealed until the time of the end ( Daniel 12:9-10). This is spoken of in the Bible as a vision that will speak at the end and not lie ( Habakkuk 2:2-3).

God did not write the Bible so that it is easy to come to truth. Faithful Bible teachers that apply these principles can guide us in our understanding.

But THE BIBLE ALONE AND IN ITS ENTIRETY must be our ultimate authority as we compare scripture with scripture praying that God in His mercy would open our our understanding and lead us into Truth.