Bible Questions & Discussion PAGE 75

May God bless you for your honest confession , we need more of that on here . Much love in Christ .

As Believers, we know that the LORD JESUS CHRIST is our only answer for the trials and troubles we are going through today in the Middle East and in our nation here in the USA. Let us, as saints, be faithful, diligent, and obedient to HIS Word.

Hebrews 2:

1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

GOD bless our leaders in DC with the mind of CHRIST through HIS salvation. The LORD to shine HIS face on our state and local leaders in CHRIST name. Bless our pastors and true believers to lift up HIS name at all times through our conversation, witness and testimony.

January 13, 2024 Galatians 5:16

Giannis,

thanks of the advice.

One contractor I have already met. He remodeled the home next to us for his daughter to live in. One of my colleagues at work at the time knew him and also said that he does good work.

The other one we do not know other than a recommendation from the insurance adjuster.

Hi Giannis,

Feeling remorse is not restoring peace with God. Judas did not turn to God for it. He responded to his remorse in a manner as man does, cursing himself out of frustration or hanging (an extreme case). Esau also responded to his folly in giving away his birthright so cheaply. "For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears."(He.12:7) David did a terrible thing but he found grace. He had to pay the price for it. His family life was ruined what with Absalom turning against it. His contrition was backed with genuine remorse. Ps.51 is a study in the manner he came back into the fold.

Having a quarrel with brethren "Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." You have to respond to what the Spirit has shown you as your lapse and not leave for the other.

Praise the Lord

Hi Bennymkje

About Judas a lot has been written by many. The usual question is: why didn't God forgive Judas since he "repented"?

But did he repent? The answer is no, he didn't. He merely felt bad about what happened, and he never went to God to ask for forgiveness.

Firsty in greek the verb used in Matthew 27:3 is not the same as in other places in the Bible where repentance is mentioned. The grk here shows that somebody feels bad/sad for something that has occured and wishes that it hadn't occured. So does that mean that they repent? To answer that I will go to what happened to me, not long ago. One Sunday morning after the church service I quarreled with a fellow dear brother (never mind who started it). I spoke to him very badly infront of almost the whole church. In the evening as I was sitting in my house and was thinking about it and feeling very bad about the whole incident, I asked myself one question. Was I feeling bad because I hurt my brother's feelings or was I feeling bad because I made myself a fool infront of the church and created a bad situation in the church? To be honest it was the second case. So did I really repent? No I didn't, I just wished it never happened not because I hurt my brother but because I created a bad impression of me in the congregation.

So lets go back to Judas. Judas was just feeling bad because of all that happened and most probably everybody figured him as his master's trator. So a whole bad situation occured about him. Probably everybody started avoiding him, nobody likes and approves betraying. But he didn't realy care about Jesus. He said to the Pharisees that he betrayed an innocent blood. But he knew that before betraying Jesus, didn't he? Maybe he didn't expect that they wanted to kill Jesus? But he knew that they wanted to do that, it was obvious from the beginning.

So he didn't actually repent, that is why he never asked for forgiveness. He was only thinking of his own situation, not Jesus'

Just an opinion. GBU.

Hello GiGi

Apart from praying there are one, two things you can do for choosing the best contractor.

You can ask for information about every one of them from people you know. Some are cheeper than others but their work is not good enough and maybe you will be compelled to have repairs again some time in the future.

You can contact people who you don't know but you know that they had hired them before.

You can also look for reviews on the net about them, nowadays one can get a lot of information there about professionals.

GBU

Looking at things from God's perspective

If we look at events unfolding today; it is no surprise when we see verses such as 1 Peter 4:17 on God judging the church before the world; and the scripture on many falling away in the last days ( 1 Timothy 4:1 and other passages). The events of Revelation MUST take place; and will come to pass after the "restrainer" is removed ( 2 Thess. 2:7).

Therefore; there is to be expected increasing efforts from the forces of evil under Satan's dominion to attempt to jump start this process. There are many times in recent decades when an apocalyptic scenario unfolded which the Lord stopped from going any further (such as the area of Babylon under Saddam Hussein in the 1990s with the Gulf War looking like an early fulfillment of the final destruction of Babylon). We could go back centuries to see all the Antichrist candidates since Nero (Napolean; Hitler; Mussolini and many other dictators). Of course the main focus of prophecy is Israel who has miraculously been able to hold that tiny strip of land in the Middle East despite many wars (1948 at it's inception; 1967; 1973 and other skirmishes with Lebanon and the current one on many fronts). I personally believe Psalm 83 is beginning to reach it's fulfillment and may end with the Isaiah 17:1 prophecy on the destruction of Damascus (with many weapons said to be underground there and terrorist cells). I believe after success over the surronding nations Israel will at some point sign the Daniel 9:27 covenant with many to avoid futher regional strife with Turkey; Iran and other enemies who will be consolidated under Russia.

We are; of course to continue to occupy until He comes (for some reason I can't find the verse I want here); and we are to remain as "salt and light" ( Matt. 5:13-14). God uses us to hold back evil but we need to focus on the Great Commission not bringing down a world system. We live as an example to the world ( 1 Peter 3:2 is a good example).

Ok let's see how God works to answer that prayer if it hasn't been already. Would of course be nice if one of them was a true believer.

"Abide in Christ"

Salvation Plan of God is Person Specific. God is a Spirit while Jesus Christ is the visible image of the Invisible God. "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell." (Col.1:15,19) It is this fullness that anyone who abides him ought to have. Faith with works is letting his fullness work with faith, which is one.

A Christian abiding in Christ is compared to a tree that is planted by the waters of a river, that bringeth forth his fruits in season'. His life has its depths of riches hidden from view. Discourse of Jesus on 'I am the true vine' illustrates it. Faith is what keeps the connection between two worlds of the body and of the Spirit abiding. "For without me you can do nothing." ( John 15:1-5) His fruits are his proof.

(See entry under C-Christian Living)

"Contrition"

Being contrite is merely one aspect of holiness in action. Isaiah was crushed when he saw the vision of the Lord. 'Woe is me' expressed his emotions, and the Lord cleansed him and when he responds 'Here I am send me' his iniquity was purged to be of use to the Lord God. (Is.6:1-8). In the case of Judas remorse would not help. Neither did it with Esau.

Contrition in order to be complete must restore peace with God. Simon Peter denied his master without losing the peace. Jesus entrusted the care of his flock to his chief apostle as nothing happened, 'Feed my sheep' ( John 21:17 )

No man is justified by expression of contrition alone. Judas felt remorse but his faith could not be restored. So faith with works is man's abiding life with Jesus Christ is the key. "Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,/Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that." (Matt.27:3-4) He merely returned other man's riches without restoring peace with God. "I am the Way" Jesus said. By denouncing him he had thrown the key to salvation away. His works condemned him.

"Continual"

The Spirit uses the word continual in keeping with the Holiness in which both Power and Wisdom are at play. He sent forth his word that shall never return void. (Is.55:11) So continual is firmly is the order of the Father Son relationship. "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work," has events unseen as well as made to appear that owe to this continual action.

Consequently the Abstract presented in the Book of Genesis Ch. 1 refers to the Everlasting Covenant, which is unseen. Whereas the Abstract like 7 bullet points- and the Spirit calls them as day, refers to the generation of Jesus Christ. Why call it day? In Ps.2:7 God refers it as such, and "This day I have begotten thee," is part of the decree so it stands. The generation of Jesus Christ begins with the day as set down by the Spirit. "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens."(Ge.2:4)

"In the beginning" refers to this day (Ge.1:1). Compare this with the verse where new heaven and the new earth are presented (Re.21:1), the adjective 'new' is the culmination of the continual action to which both heaven and the earth play their parts set forth in the Abstract.

The Spirit uses the word 'continual' in another sense. The devil sins from the beginning, which also have consequences till the day of Regeneration. 'He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world.'( 1 John 4:4,18) His works are however subject to God purging from time to time. ( 1 John 3:8). Perfect love casts out fear.

Yes , the Bible as a whole is a great gift from God . He has preserved it through hundreds and hundreds of years for our benefit , to comfort and encourage us and to increase our faith in Him and to help us feel close to Him . I'm reading Daniel at the moment . Every time I read it it feels so fresh and new to me , so modern and relevant to my life and that statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream is such a powerful image to me . I don't know what it is about the book of Daniel but it really refreshes me and makes my confidence in God grow and I feel so connected and at peace when I read Daniel . I'm interested to know , do you and everyone else on here have a particular book of the Bible that really seems to speak to you ? I'm not asking what is your favourite ( Isaiah is my favourite ) but , is there a book that every time you read it you feel so connected to God , you really feel the peace that passes all understanding etc ? That would be Daniel for me , how about you and everyone else on here ?

:) me too . The Bible is what gets me through each day and keeps me sane . The joy of connecting the old and new , when I suddenly realise something new about something that I've already ready at least fifty times , is priceless . God gave us this most precious treasure to comfort and encourage us in these awful kingdoms of men . He knows we need to feel close to Him in order to be truly happy and at peace . The Bible is the pearl of great price :) .

Consecration-2

God's purpose in a chosen generation renders consecration on account of the word. This generation belongs to the generation of Jesus Christ. "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."( John 17:17;1 Co.1:30). It is in his Son we find the fulness of God and not in the Law of Moses. Moses was faithful in all his house which only points to his term of service. Abiding in the Son would mean our sanctification comes from the Son and not from any other.

*Samuel as instructed by God anoints the first time when David was unknown, and least made of even in the eyes of his brethren. But God as the Spirit entrusted Samuel for a specific purpose, which we shall realize only with the third anointing.

Secondly men of Judah anointed him after the death of Saul. This was more of a tactical decision considering that he was their most famous son who brought them prestige in the eyes of Israel. They appropriated him as their own, "And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul(2 Sa.5:4)". This anointing was according to the flesh.

Third time is when David became in the eyes of Israel as anointed of God. So the Spirit gives the relationship its universality: body spirit and soul are consecrated. The Spirit sets David in context of the Lord who said unto my Lord, (Ps.110:1-3) David under the Law of Moses represented shadow of things to come when Jesus Christ reigns from Zion.

"Consecration"

The term as used in the Law of Moses holds meaning which is in a narrow sense. Priests are consecrated as well as things as different from their common use.

Consecration broadly stated renders anything being made holy. God command Moses to remove his sandals, " And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.(Ex.3:5)" The ground is holy because of the holiness of the Lord God. 'Be ye holy for I am holy"

Similarly when God descended upon Mount Sinai there were limits put for the people from breaking in "The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, 'Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.' (Ex.19:23). The presence of God requires holiness in man, places and things of use, which is in relation the fellowship of God with the Son. 'Be ye holy as I am is what abiding in Christ means so His grace has not been in vain. His Son is the template. 'When David is set as double for the Son God commands Samuel to anoint him which he did three times.

Consecration is much more than this. When God sent forth his word his divine Will, it expressly required fulfillment. We are blessed accordingly. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."(1 Pe.2:9) God's purpose in a chosen generation renders consecration on account of the word. "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."( John 17:17;1 Co.1:30). It is in his Son we find the fulness of God and not in the Law of Moses. Moses was faithful in all his house which only points to his term of service. Abiding in the Son would mean our sanctification comes from the Son and not from any other.

Hello Momsage,

I understand that some people get frustrated or offended or worked up over some of the back and forth of discussing matters on here. I do not get this way at all rom discussing matters here. For me, I just do not like it when people make accusations, assumptions, and judgements about the character, motivations, spiritual maturity, or relationship with God in posting to me or others. If a discussion is such that people are sticking to the topic without doing these things then I am fine to go in depth and at length on a topic until it seems that there is an impasse and then it may be time to bow out or bring a peaceful end to a discussion. I am so glad you have remained here with us. We have so much to talk about with each other because God has blessed us so in myriads of ways. I've been pretty busy that past few days. Have a good evening.

Our SAVIOR GOD'S word is always true and faithful.

We need YOUR wisdom LORD as our country is in tail spin downward in all areas. FATHER, bless the peace in Jerusalem as the conflict is spreading.

May our prayers reflect the faith, and trust we have in YOU LORD.

Thank YOU LORD JESUS for blessing us and reminding us of the work before us in reaching the lost and hardened hearts.

Thank YOU FATHER for shining YOUR face upon us and blessing us gloriously.

January 12, 2024

Thank you LORD for saving my soul. Thank you LORD for making me whole.

Thank you LORD for giving to me, THY great Salvation so rich and free.

GOD bless all on this platform!

LORD, bless the peace in Jerusalem; Give wisdom to our leaders as the conflict grows in the Middle East. May we call on YOU and faithfully wait for YOUR righteous intervention.

Thank You LORD!

January 12, 2024

No problem, I was mentioning that under the "new covenant" it has expanded well beyond a physical race of people with a particular "geography". I am very much a student of "old" and new.

Hi Rainwalker , I tried to reply to you directly but the thread is so long now that it sent my phone crazy :) . So I will start a new one if I may . You said that praying for the peace of Jerusalem is old testament , does this mean that you don't have much time for the old testament ? Please forgive me if I've misunderstood you .

Jema: if you look back at your reply you will see that you only referenced Gal. 3, not any verses, which is why I responded to verse 1 as I did and I said there was a possibility I had misunderstood which I did. I have decided to not discuss the Sabbath anymore as you may know. I love you dearly as a sister in the Lord and I hope this terrible misunderstanding will be forgotten and we can continue to communicate with each other in the love of Christ. Have a blessed day. :)

I love brothers and sisters in Christ, these know it all scripture twisters are the ones that stir up my indignation. These "scholars" that hide behind out of context scriptures. Love in Christ to you.

In V 26-28 of Galatians Ch 3 , it says that the Galatians are : the children of God by faith in Christ , one in Christ and Abraham's seed according to the promise , yet you chose to pick out bewitched and infer that I was calling you bewitched , which I was not .

Thanks. I'll have to do some studying on what you said before I reply. Please be kind to me, I'm a very sensitive soul. LOL. I look forward to talking with you.

God Bless :)

No subject is "too heavy", I mean really it's kinda simple sometimes. My response to Israel would simply be, Col 3:11, neither jew or gentile, Gal 3:28.. praying for the "peace of jerusalem " is old testament, where the new testament is "thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven". Galatians opened my eyes about "Israel".. cast out the bondwoman.. you know, the allegory Paul speaks of in detail.

Hi GiGi:

I am also done with this subject. It was getting a little to heavy. It seemed to me we were all getting a little frustrated and so I ended the discussions with me. Everything is good with all of us. I know the ones I have been discussing the Sabbath with are my brothers and sisters in the Lord and that we will be going on in love and respect.

Hope all is well with you. God Bless :)

Hi Rainwalker:

Last night when I read your reply, I had considered going on with the discussions for the sake of others who might be helped by them, but when I read the usual replies refusing to accept the 4th commandment as a command from God, and still calling it an abolished law I am convinced you are right, although, I would have said it in a kinder way. Anyway, I just received a reply from Giannis and I have said "no more" because it is getting to heated and I am being accused of saying things I didn't say. Giannis is by brother in the Lord and I don't want our discussions to be more then a back and forth conversation with each other truly listening to the other side and answering concerns and questions with scripture and Godly common sense. I did ask him if he wanted to discuss the topic listed below or if not to start a discussion about something else. So I have taken your advise and have ended the "Sabbath" discussions that are addressed to me.

If I asked you to comment on what you think of Israel, if they are special to God, especially with what is going on now, is that ok or to heavy of a subject?

I am sorry Jema, I didn't mean to bombard you, I was just answering you.

Two short replies I believe I need to tell you and I won't expect a reply.

The Commandments were not LAWS. They were commands written by God not to be disobeyed. If they are the laws you say that we are no longer expected to obey them then why do we? None of you have ever answered that question.

MERRIAN-WEBSTER DICTIONARY

Bewitched:

controlled or affected by or as if by a magic spell

influenced, attracted, or charmed as if by magic

The only criteria you have for saying I am bewitched is just because I believe the 4th commandment needs to be obeyed and believers should take one day of rest from their labors each week. Your implication that I am bewitched seems kind of harsh and unloving but maybe I've misunderstood your meaning. Anyway, I will end this discussion on the subject of the Sabbath and if I reply to any of your other discussions on this forum, I'll be sure to keep it short. I do understand where you are coming from, my daughter is the same way. God Bless :)

"The Great Commission" Matt.28:18-20

"All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth./ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:/Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

In Christ all authority in heaven and on earth resides so without abiding in him the commission cannot be discharged (Matt.28:19)( John 15:4-5). It is universal and enjoined upon ever believer.

Jesus sent the twelve disciples as associates. (Matt.10:40). This Principle of Association renders all those foreknown and called by the Father having a position, which is in heaven. God of all mercies empowers the word outflow as with the Son of man offered the living waters. "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" ( John 7:8).

The risen Christ gave commission to his disciples across time and space that they 'make disciple of all nations' and assured them that he was with them always till the end of time.

In giving this commission he was demanding the fullness of every disciple because the church was being built brick by brick on the living Word.

"I am the true vine" is another analogy. "For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily/ And ye are complete in him," (Col.2:9-10) Consequently the principle of Association at every node had to be perfect. "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away."( John 15:2)

Not merely the twelve or seventy other disciples, which received the commission from word of his mouth but as we read in his prayer, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;( John 17:21-23) Unity of the Spirit is an essential part of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 'I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one.'

"Tabernacle of the Congregation"

'And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:/ Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiff-necked people: lest I consume thee in the way"(Ex.33:2-3).

A Tabernacle is where God desires to dwell among people. So Moses makes the tabernacle of the Congregation, which is not the tabernacle God spoke to Moses in Ex. Ch. 25. God dies not revise His Will because of some stiff-necked people are present. This Congregation is about the names found in the book of life of the Son. (Nu.14:23-24) He makes it clear of another spirit which is of obedience." (32:8).

So this corruption necessitates two kinds of tabernacle. We have here two tabernacles one that is front and the other which is back. (See under B-back side) Instead of God an angel of the Lord shall go before them. As accompaniment the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night shall follow as promised by God throughout their journey. (40:38). God's calling and gifts are irrevocable. As promised they shall be led unto the land flowing with milk and honey. However God has made it clear, 'for I will not go up in the midst of thee;'

The tabernacle of the Congregation was merely an indication that their sins would be called to account. 'Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.'(Ex.32:34)