Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 1181

News outlets may report that but I don't believe it. Here's why. I actually believe more people celebrate Christmas. Here's why.

1st around late August, September, October , is also when many churches do "festivals", community harvest festivals & alternatives to that.

2nd these numbers that are reported years past & today may be the majority of candy sales, Autumn decor, pumpkins. Which do not always consist of celebration of that. Moreover the huge sales of candy shows generosity.

3rd Christmas decor can last many years therefore most do not buy decorations, candy to celebrate Christmas, many celebrate with family, churches, friends without notable sales, potluck dinners aren't leaving a financial footprint.

4th Contrarily those who celebrate 'halloween' buy new costumes, decor etc. to be part of their celebration, disguises, etc. Numbers in sales don't equal people or households or uses.

5th several "Costumes" are actually clothing used for pajamas, winter hats & even jackets have been labelled costumes we have purchased.

6th I actually believe after this year if the churches would stop doing alternative events, it would dissipate. Several years I've witnessed a decline within several communities. With mandates, supply ship lockdowns, GOD may just use this time to eradicate it.

Thank you GiGi. I agree entirely with what you've stated, & indeed as with your other comments on this early part of the Scriptures. I think you will be blessed by coming on here & contributing, as we too will be blessed & strengthened in the knowledge of God & applying biblical Truths to our lives - and of course, the many who just quietly visit taking in Truths that they've never heard before - this can really be a mighty avenue of ministry for you. I look forward to reading your other comments & being encouraged in the Word.

Interesting to read everyone's comments on this chapter. I am thankful for the flood. Imagine the reign of evil in our world if wicked, blasphemous, unbelieving people lived until they were 900 years old throughout history. Imagine the accumulated knowledge of evil and wicked practices that would pervade all civilizations. God was merciful in His judgment.

Think about it, if Noah alone was righteous in His generation, would there be anyone standing for God today if the flood had not occurred? Would today have even ever came? Praise the Lord for his mercy! Ps. 19:9 says that the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous. Do we trust Him to judge rightly? Do we believe that he will judge everyone pre and post flood in perfect truth and righteousness? He knows the hearts of everyone and the plans He has for each person. He will judge all of the babies that died in the flood perfectly.

As I read this chapter the most important thing that stood out to me was that Noah lived out his faith by doing ALL that God had told him to do. It must have been hard to endure 500 years in a world so full of evil and violence. Did this make it harder or easier for Noah to stay true to God? Did he set his face like stone in the Lord's direction instead of the world's direction? Did experiencing the reality of living in such a wicked world strengthen his determination to follow God? I think it did. I think He grieved over the wickedness as the Lord did. I think he hated the wickedness like God did. I think he desired that people would repent and turn back to God like the Lord desires. In essence, the Spirit formed in Noah the "mind of Christ"; Christ was formed in him by the Spirit. This, too, is for us. If you ever wondered about what the point of developing godly habits was if we are forgiven for all of our sins in Jesus, think about Noah and the challenges he faced. His faith endured to the end. May that be true of each of us, too.

Thank you very much for your return comments to me I think you made more sense than anyone else I'm going to follow you instructions your instructions I have read verses that didn't make much sense and I read them again and again like you said and they started to come together nicely but still a long ways to go I've read the Bible but as you said just reading the Bible it really isn't anything but reading and studying is a different subjects you very much for your input on this matter,God bless you. Renee

Hi Renee. The Bible (basic instructions before living earth) is your guide to life. How you should live, and what you should do. At the core of the message is the fact that all men must be saved by accepting our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I'm so glad that Jesus has you for His servant. We only have to say, yes I will go. The Lord just quickened this verse for you, Gigi.

Isaiah 6:8-10. You are called, dear one.

I'm blessed to know that. I'm feeling my age more. I don't walk in doubt. But It's great to see the younger generation coming on strong.

"They will know us by the love we have for the brethren". 1 John 3:14

I buy those little comic book tracts to give away to the little kids. They'll be around after the candy is gone. I like the one titled, Somebody Loves Me. You can see them all on, Chick Tracts dot com

I drop them everywhere :). Especially outside of goodwill stores where they sell Halloween costumes and fake teeth.

May God enlarge your heart for even more Love.

It is truly a sorrowful time , as we are told in mark 13 , an with the fact that more people celebrate Halloween, than the 3 different times during a year that our Heavenly Father asked us to do,.. an really, most don't even know , the real reasons an days , or dates ,.. yes my frens of faith an beliefs,.. it is simply that bad.

Peace

Hi Renee.

Once we have given our life to the Lord with a pure heart God will make his abode with you. John 14;23.

I would say start out reading and studying the word in prayer. Some make the mistake and read the bible as if its an ordinary book, " It is a collection of 66 books that harmonize as one authored by God himself and revealed to us by the Holyspirit that abides in us when converted. Study with faith and patience and often as you can and the Lord will reward you as he pleases.

KEYS: ( Trust in the Lord.)

Here is a few things worth mentioning:

#1. Its not how many times you have read the bible that opens eyes, It's the empty vessel and pure heart that you take to the Lord.

#2. Starting out stay away from studying viewpoints. Often people let a viewpoints shape their theology rather than letting their theology shape their viewpoints.

#3. Get a hold of a good concordance, and perhaps a King James study bible.

#4. Don't spiritualize all the text, And there is nothing wrong with asking questions, test everything in the light of scripture. FELLOWSHIP IS IMPORTANT!

#5. Don't be discouraged by the false teachers, and learn to mark them. ( Mathew 7:15-20. ) They should have the fruit of the spirit. Galatians 5:22-23.

#6. Start afresh. Scrap all the conceptions you have of the bible or that you have heard and let the Holyspirit guild you.

#7. Let your study be the main source of your revelation.

NOTE:

1 John 2:27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. Also Read 1 Corinthians 2:10-16.

There is some great teachers on this site that I'm sure will be more than happy to help you as you go on your journey.

God bless.

Hi Grace, I tried answering that question for you on the thread when you asked it previously. If you didn't see my comment with study notes I took, please try scrolling back in comments pages, or checking your older email link. Hopefully you see it.

Back again.

Either way, these giant offspring were exceedingly wicked and powerful. It is likely they contributed greatly to the acceleration of wickedness on the then earth by the time of Noah. Perhaps this is when mankind began worshipping renowned men or predecessors, making images of them and temples for the idols to "abide".

I don't have any information on the time frame where this intermixing first occurred. Anyone out there with thoughts or info? How long did God hold back from deciding upon judgment? I believe after God told Noah to build the ark and announced the flood, He also said that the years of mankind would be 120 years. I think that speaks to the number of years between Calling Noah and the day the flood began, 120 years (not lifespan).

Some have commented why God destroyed the animals. The text says that ALL flesh had corrupted the ways God had intended for them. So, it seems the natural order of all breathing creatures was corrupted. It doesn't say how, though. God said that the world was filled with violence. It seems that anarchy was prevailing throughout the world. Perhaps governing systems had collapsed, and anarchy filled the void. It took mankind about 1600+ years to get to this point. Not really very long. God was grieved.

So glad God spared Noah and pairs of animals to replenish the earth. He was going to give the earth a new start instead of total destruction. He could have translated Noah and have been done with it. But the Lord had a plan that was too be accomplished no matter what mankind did. In the big scheme of things, the flood was a blessing to the world. The set number of humans had not all been born yet. The world was not filled to the capacity God had pre-determined. And, more importantly, the Redeemer had not come and rule and reign yet. There is an end to this world age. God knows when that will be. We can be assured that His plans will be accomplished because he is all-knowing and all-powerful.

Noah obeyed God.

James 1:5

Mark 13:13

John 14:26

1 John 2:27, 1 John 2,

Some of us have to pray for understanding

To continue...I am not convinced that God really wants to look that far back in time to "discover" what really happened. He destroyed the pre-flood world for a perfect reason. If he really wanted us to know, He would have left some archeological written historical account or artifacts for us to examine and use to help us find out. I am not aware of any such reliable artifacts. If anyone knows of some, please let me know so I can research. In any case, the beings that were produced from these unions were killed in the flood, along with all of Cain's descendants, as far as we know. Some say that one or more of the wives of Noah's son may have had some Cainite blood to pass on after the flood, which explains the giants after the flood, if the passage refers to the non-angel scenario.

To consider the angelic/human sexual unions scenario, then these offspring would have been very different than rest of humanity. And so the description of them as giants and /or mighty men of renown. This theory usually states that the fallen angels were bound up in the abyss for future judgment. Hard to know if they were able to mate with humans, since they are bound and so haven't been involved in human history since the time of the flood or before. Therefore we do not know what they could or could not do in their fallen state. Certainly ALL fallen angels were not bound or else where would Satan get his sinful spiritual accomplices. I do feel that this theory is as plausible as the Sethite/Cainite theory. The text is just not explicit enough for me to really make a determination.

I do believe that the beings produced from the unions mentioned in the text were giants. It says that, and the giants mentioned after the flood in Scripture were described as one would normally consider giants with the physical anomalies of extreme height, extra digits on hands and feet, extreme strength, and extra rows of teeth. Hard to say which is true.

This chapter has so many ideas in it. Hard to know where to start. Having read most comments I will try to keep to the text as much as possible without going down too many "rabbit holes" knowing that many can be "snake holes" instead.

This chapter describes the deep and widespread wickedness of mankind in the times before the flood. God says that every intent of man's heart was wicked. Taking this saying literally, it would state that every person but Noah and Enoch in that time were wholly corrupted. I don't know if that was true of Lamech, Methuselah, Jared, Mahalalel, Cainan, Enosh, Seth or Adam between the time of Adam-Noah's 500th year. These persons are spoken of as preachers of righteousness or patriarchs. It say that Noah alone was a just man and perfect in his day. So what does it say about these other patriarchs who were alive during Noah's lifetime or say, 500 years before he was born? So what transpired to bring this state about in mankind?

Many say that Noah was a godly man and that he descended from these patriarchs who did not intermarry with Cain's progeny. I lean towards this view, but can't be definitive about it from the text.

In the comment section there is much discussion concerning the identification of the sons of god and daughters of men.

I was taught as a child that the sons of god where fallen angels and the daughters of men were just that. But I have also heard teaching that says they were the sons of the godly line of Seth and the daughters of men were the daughters of Cain's line. I really don't know as there seems to be some biblical support for both theories. Extra biblical sources elaborate on this subject, some being from a very long time ago in the early church or Book of Enoch, Book of Jasher, and Book of Jubilees. I have read many sections in these extra-biblical books. Like a lot of Judaic rabbinical writings, I take a cautious view of such literature because of the multitude of errors taught in such writings. See more.....

Thank you Rod , you found the perfect scripture for my post . May God bless you and all yours .

Thank you Mishael,

Your sweetness comes through in your posts as well as your grit to stand against the evil ways of the devil and those who cohort with him.

As far as Halloween goes, I have gone out into the neighborhood around my church building to pray for the families living there and for the children that will be out trick or treating, stopping at street corners and praying for the bringing down of strongholds and wickedness that pervades this day in particular.

On another Halloween, I partnered with our youth leader and a few others at the church building and had door keepers who invited trick or treaters to come in and up to the altar steps to receive a treat. We offered to pray for them and if they agreed we asked them for a request. We prayed for them, laying hands upon them if they wished and sent on their way.

In our own neighborhood we only have a few people who come down our street, usually our neighbors. We give them candy and bless them as they leave. We pray for them after they head down the street.

In recent years, we have just not been available to greet trick or treaters, but spend time with other believers, have dinner and pray together.

These are just a few ways believers can resist and defend against the spiritual enemies in our immediate neighborhoods. Others may have other good ideas as we enter this combat in the days ahead. One additional note: The battle exists every day and we should always be willing and prepared to intervene and intercede for others any time any day. But I get it that halloween especially celebrated satanic things. Live graciously towards others, but stand firm in our stance to over come evil and refuse to enter into participation as the Spirit leads.

These are just a f

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A very apt reply, Chris. Thank you. In reading your many post, I can tell that you are well taught in Christian doctrine and have a deep love for God, the Scripture, and correct thinking in our Christian walk. It is good to have brethren like you to share ideas with. Thank you.

Agreed. "Holy imagination" can be tricky and can lead people astray, but can be helpful as the Holy Spirit leads and with input from strong, grounded, trustworthy believers.

I try to focus on the obvious understanding of a verse within the context of the whole passage and then pose questions as I prayerfully consider things that may have some underlying meaning that may point to future events in the Bible or what was said by Jesus or the New Testament writers. I try to confine my thinking so as not to get too far beyond the text. I believe that the Bible was written for the common man to understand what is being conveyed and to know what to believe concerning God, salvation, and godly living. I think it is good to be satisfied with these things even if we never find out any other "deep" things from the Spirit. But being well established in these things, we can study Scripture with more openness to double meanings etc. Since a young age, I have prayed to God to show me what is true because I never want to believe something that isn't the truth. God has been faithful to me, giving me a good sense of discernment when hearing or reading things and the Spirit sends up "red flags" in my mind when something seems not quite right. I then refuse to consider that idea or teaching further unless God brings to me information that shows why it is wrong or even why it really is o.k.

Thanks for you kind reply. This is my first venture on this website and I am expecting to be blessed and to bless others.

Hi, Chris and Rick. I am only going to place English for each text I previously sent in the Greek. Romans 3:22, "Da pisteoos Ieesou Christou," "By THE faith of Jesus Christ," OR, "the faith that comes through Him."

In Acts 3:16, The faith which is from (Or BY HIM)." "to onoma autou kai hee pistis hee di autou. If this verse were to read "Faith IN Jesus" rather than "Faith BY Him," the only way to translate this is, "OUR faith in Jesus Christ," healed the man!



Galatians 2:20 reads in the Greek, "Ho de nun zoo en sarki en pistei zoo tee tou Huiou tou Theou." Translators have often used their own theology which can drastically change the true intent of the inspired writers of Scriptur. For instance, look up the Greek for "torment" in Rev 20:10. The English robs God of His mercy and goodness in this last act with the lost. What word do you find in the Greek? Have you traced it? Let me know what you find. You will be amazed at the wealth of meaning the translators took from us!

I have experienced a profound faith from Christ. Only He could say, at the tomb of Lazarus, John 11:42, of the Father, "I know You always hear Me." My faith has grown to know our Father always hears me if He hears it from the Son!

He is called our Advocate in 1 John 2:1. He defends us before the Father as High Priest, who offers His own life and merits on the sinner's behalf. Heaven has given us the gift of faith, Ephesians 2:8-9, to know, believe and trust ourselves to the High Priest. This is the only way to the Father that pleases Him. We dare not come to Him in our faith. Otherwise, we are entering the Most Holy Place in our own name and dishonor His Holiness. Death waited for anyone who came into the Holy Place except for the High Priest. It is the devils lie telling us we can become as gods!

Leviticus 16 has also given me further insight into what was required by the nation of Israel as they worshipped God on the Day of Atonement. On who did they place their faith?

Zechariah 3:1 And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to RESIST HIM.

Our flesh has the spirit of Satan telling us that God's word is not TRUTH. Our mind of flesh has to be destroyed and CREATED to the mind of CHRIST.

God's word says his Spirit CAUSES us to do HIS WILL. Our flesh through the spirit of Satan RESIST and says that's not true God has given man FREE WILL and man can make his own choices, that it's man's choice (free will) and not GOD's WILL that WILL BE DONE.

God's WILL ( 1 Timothy 2:4) is that all creation will BE SAVED. Man through the spirit of Satan RESIST and says man has the choice (free will) to be saved or not be saved.

Whose will, WILL BE DONE, God's or man's.

Hi Renee My suggestion is To read Romans through thessalonians which is addressed to the church of God in the age of grace which is what we currently live in. Then the gospels and book of Acts then the rest, but its all Gods Word.

Sister Renee, may CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.

You have a priest and that priest LIVES IN YOU and he will CAUSE you to understand his words if you never cease ASKING him. You have to read and study, and the more you READ and STUDY and ASK and BELIEVE, the more he will reveal to you.

1 John 2:27 But the anointing you which you have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teach you all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, you shall abide in him.

Colossians 1:27 .... this mystery.... CHRIST IN YOU .......

GBU

Amen and Amen Brother Rick!

Hi Renee , the Bible is a very big book , full of pertinent information . I've been reading it half my life and I'm still learning from it so I guess the key is to be patient and accept that it may take you the rest of your life to feel confident enough to say that you understand it reasonably well . That's all I would say about my understanding , it's reasonable . It's a lifetime commitment and the best one you will ever make . The first few times I read it I started at Genesis and read through to Revelation . Now I read a couple of Old Testament books and then one New . I'm sorry to disappoint you but the chances of you ever understanding everything 100 per cent are quite slim , but you will enjoy it I'm sure . Be patient and determined and it will be clear to you , eventually . The fact that you don't have some one telling you what to think as you read it is , as far as I'm concerned a good thing ! God is not the author of confusion . Read , read , re read and then read again . Come on here any time to ask questions but you may get four very different answers to any question you ask ! Enjoy .

Thank you!

Brother David, you said when we are born again, and I have no doubts you are born again, and we walk in the Spirit, we aren't breaking fellowship, but when we are not walking in the Spirit but in the flesh, we sin.

I believe the Truth in God's word explains what you describe.

Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my Spirit in you and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and keep my judgements, and DO THEM.

Philippians 2:13 For it is God (SPIRIT) that worketh in you both TO WILL and TO DO HIS GOOD PLEASURE.

In Isaiah 10 God uses the King of Assyria to bring judgement upon Israel, therefore God's Spirit was in the king CAUSING him TO DO God's will.

God said when he was finished judging Israel by the hand of Assyria, he would punish the King, not because the King murdered and stole and raped, but he would be punished because he took credit HIMSELF, instead of understanding God DID IT, through him.

God CAUSES us, his creation, every second of the day TO DO his work (statues and judgements). We may think when God is causing us TO DO, that we are walking in the flesh, and we are, but it is not SIN. Unless you believe it is not God DOING IT, and then the SIN is UNBELIEF. The only sin that want be forgiven in THIS AGE or the AGE TO COME, after that (judgement) they will be forgiven.

May the Spirit CAUSE us to come to TRUTH.

ASK and you shall receive.

jOHN 4 : 14 kjv I have been water baptised twice in my life and loved it but my thirst for salvation was not quenched with water baptism . I had to drink of that living water which is baptism of the H.G. . That baptism of Promise which is a heavenly birth of a baby Christ. The H.G. That Child of PROMISE. WHOSOVER DRINKS OF THIS WATER SHALL THIRST AGAIN ( Water Baptism ) But The Water i will give him is like a Well of water that springing up unto everlasting life thus you will neva thirst again. Behold i send the Promise of my Father upon you ,which was baptism of the H.G. That living water which is the Gift of God, If thou knewest the Gift of God and who it is that askest of thee to drink thou wouldest ask of him and he wd give you that Living water baptism of the H.G A Heavenly Birth. as we have born the image of the earthy we must also bear ( birth ) the image of the heavenly. That CHILD OF PROMISE THE H.G. EMMANUEL GOD WITH US. And he led them to fountains of LIVING WATER the Water of the Word.

Reply to Renee Ellis Great Question: "How is the best way to learn the Bible if you're reading it yourself?"

Precious friend, Renee, since the Blessed Holy Spirit is our Teacher For 'understanding,' please see God's 'Simple' Will: Link

Precious Renee, Please Be Richly Encouraged, Enlightened, Exhorted, and Edified!

( 2 Timothy 2:15; Romans 16:25; Ephesians 1:3-9; Ephesians 3:9 = Grace/Mystery fellowship {Romans - Philemon}, For ALL "to SEE," today,? )

My 'suggestion,' after you are saved, and have 'received The Holy Spirit for understanding,' would be to 'start reading' Romans Through Philemon {God's GRACE Message for Today}, and then 'learn {probably slowly} as you read The Rest Of The Bible!'

Romans 15:4

"For Whatsoever Things Were Written Aforetime Were Written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of The Scriptures might have Hope." Amen?

==================

Please note, that is 'my suggestion' only; others may 'suggest' Different 'ways of learning'...

May God 'Richly' Encourage you, Renee, on your spiritual journey With HIM!

Hi Tony Brother read your commentary and scripturally right on faith is the bridge that spans the casim between the natural man and God that faith is Jesus Christ. When someone says I need more faith not true we were given the faith of Jesus Christ when we were born again. Now over time we will get better in believing action on the scripture and understanding and walk but that is in the category of carrying what the spirit wants us to do. That's why technically there was no spiritual faith in old testament because it says in Galatians before faith came, spiritual faith came on the day of pentecost which is the faith of Jesus Christ. The word pistis could be translated faith or believing there are times when it was translated faith before pentecost when it should have been believing.

The Tree of Life was protected by an Angel and Adam and Eve were driven out of the garden lest they eat of the Tree of Life. They would live Eternally in a fallen state of sin.

Adam was called first Adam. Jesus was 2nd Adam. Use the search box to look up those scriptures. Adam lost his Mandate to Satan who stole it.

Humanity would wait for Jesus to be born human.

He stripped Satan of the authority to cause death.

Satan is a created angel. He is not human. He has no authority. He is an outlaw spirit who steals, kills and destroys; demons, principalities and powers. None have authority.

Born again believers have Jesus's Authority to defeat evil. Whatever Jesus said and did; we can do too. We have dominion and authority to oppose Satan's attacks. We need the anointing of the Holy Spirit, same as Jesus was anointed. Luke 4:18. We need to know how to rightly use the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Imitate Jesus and the others. ( Hebrews 11)

I'm really tired. We'll talk again. I'm glad you are here. You sound very centered. On weekends many young Christians visit in here. I find it's best to discern the spirits and help them to grow.

May the Holy Spirit help us today to be gentle, tolerant, joyful in the Holy Ghost. Pray with power against the spirits of Halloween. They have no power over us, or this Bible Comment room.

Explore the links and helps on this website; the Prayer Request room, the Commentary, Testimonies.

At the bottom of this page are Past History by Days; this website retains, so they can be read again by newcomers. Lots to do. Goodnight and Bless you all day and tomorrow.

Mishael

How is the best way to learn the Bible if you're reading it yourself and I don't have a priest I preacher preaching to you