Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 1200

can someone explain Deu 15:17?

Hi Brother Glenn,

I agree, it's a disaster. Everyone wants to create their own interpretation of scripture, rather than read and accept the GOD'S WORD at face value. God made the main message simple for everyone to understand, yet many want to make it so complicated.

It really brings home this scripture:

Matthew 7:14-15

14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT! Jesus knew that few will preserver with HIS WORD!

Next here you go:

15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Many church's/congregations today seem to be more concerned with growing the congregation, and increasing their income, than preaching the WORD.

This scripture is so true:

2 Timothy 4:3

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;"

Something said here by Jesus that is so simple and easy to understand, but many will still turn their backs on Jesus:

John 14:15

"If ye love me, keep my commandments."

Happy Sabbath Day, and God Bless.

Dear Brother Mishael , thankyou so much for your kind words towards me . You have cheered me up so much with your golden heart . Hubby thanks you too as I am hard to live with if I'm sad so he is very gratefull for your generosity towards me as it makes me nicer to live with . Don't let this cold dark world affect your golden heart , Christ sees you and loves you very much as do we . If any one on here is offended by women preaching/teaching they will just have to get over themselves and ignore my posts . I'm not going any where . May God show you His awesome loving kindnesses every day .

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Good morning brother Chris!

Oh, the power of this discussion! So much to share together and expand our minds in the Spirit.

Your last post opens a wealth of information contained in both the Old and New Testaments as we know them.

We must agree that we have, and will keep, very separate views of the story of the beggar, Lazarus. I have no problem with our differing views as it is my firm conviction, that with few verese excluded, God reveals truth on an individual basis. This is where we two are on this scripture.

My personal belief is that ALL souls do, and always have, leave the body and go to a "holding place" until the gathering of the church by Christ. Further, I do not believe there is a "chasm" between the good and bad souls across which the two sides can see and talk with each other; prior to the resurrection or afterward.

Revelation 20:14 says that death and hades, Greek, (Sheol Hebrew), are thrown into the lake of fire. Why? Because they are no longer part of God's realm - death will be absent in eternity and the residence of the souls is unnecessary because of the judgment of the non-believer in verse 20:11.

I believe Revelation 20:14 explains the place all souls reside after death until the gathering of the church and the following judgment of the lost. If the place is named, its location is not. However, it does exist and verses indicate Christ visited Sheol during the three days prior to the resurrection - 1 Peter 3:18-20; Ephesians 4:9-10, (see Psalms 68:18, Isaiah 61:1-2, and Luke 4:18).

Why would Christ visit the souls in Sheol? All covenants before that of Christ did not include salvation, only atonement for sin by animal blood. The spirits of all that died prior to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ were given the chance to acknowledge Christ and His salvation to allow them to be participants in the salvation provided by the resurrection.

God would have none perish in the eternal fire as He is love.

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Division in the body of Christ or denominational influence started in the first century its what the Apostle Paul fought against because people were no longer walking by the spirit but judging others and each other by the senses 1 Corinthians 3:3 which got to the point where in 2 Timothy 1:15 Paul Writes This thou knowest that all which are in Asia be turned away from me and this man witness to all of asia in 2 years and 3 months so thats how far back the function of the one body in Christ in practice was lost.

I love old Israel and they were Sola Scriptura they knew the TORAH by HEART But Israel stoned all the Prophets and rejected the Christ . Jesus said which of the Prophets have not your fathers stoned . Thats y Jesus said search the scriptures in them you think you have eternal life But it is them that testify of me which are the Living WORDS the BOOK in the right hand of the father,That BOOK of Life. The bible is precious and holy but there is no eternal life in the bible per se. If Eternal Life were in the written word then Christ shed his blood in vain and the cross was just foolishness thus its the book in in th right hand of the father that Jesus wrote with his own blood that is the book of life that new covenant in his Blood . The bible the written word answers to the lesser light but the living word is the BOOK IN THE RIGHTHAND OF THE Father answers to the greater LIGHT. Which is Christ Jesus the light of the world. But the nite comes when no man can work ( the last 2000 yrs ) That great falling away. Who testifies of Christ its his living Words that are spirits the Israel of God that are gonna be born in US SINNERS JEW AND GENTILE ALIKE. In the volume of the book it is written of me i delight to do thy will Oh God which is the book of LIFE in the father's right hand that new Covenant. The Living words which are baby Christ the H.G. PLURAL, The offspring of the woman are Baby Christ that are gona be born in US via his seed etc. And they testify of him . Whosoever receiveth one such child in my NAME RECEIVETH ME . When the book is opened the woman goes into travail and Child birth Simply b/c the New Covenant is a birthing Covenant . Unless you are bornagain . The Book is the New Covenant after it was opened they all sang a new song .

I love the lord jesus and live under GOD DESIER plan of life on this earth to the everlasting life through jesus the savelir

Thank you ,and i plan to

Glenn I'll give you two examples that I know of denominational thought. When younger I attended a Methodist Church and one day I ask the pastor what was the beginning of methodists and he told me that John wesley had a method of preaching the bible in England hence methodists, the other was of course lutherans follow after Martin luther but if we are all part of body of christ then why not call yourself Christian, but I guess that's to easy.

. In the gospel of Mathew starting at verse 23 to 32 the context of the conversation is at the time of the resurrection all these things he's teaching apply including verse 32 Jesus says I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, God is not the God of the dead but of the living when context at the resurrection. This applies to all who had died.

That woman in Rev. 12 : 5 is the very best example of the new birth and faith as real faith brings on a Spritual Pregnancy from hearing the living Word the seed of the sower ,Thats y real Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen which is a Spritual Pregnancy that precedes the new birth as that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit thats the H.G. the Child of Promise . Unless ya receive the Kingdom of heaven as a lil Child you will in no wise enter there in . Faith comes by hearing the living Word but the living Word is that good seed that produces a heavenly Birth. Being bornagain of an incorruptible seed even by the Words ( the living Word ) of God not the written word search the scriptures in them you think you have eternal life but it is them that testify of ME Which is the living WORDS HIS SEED ETC . Even in the natural a mans seed testifies of him . The Woman's Child testfies of Christ Jesus Simply b/c she heard his Words/seeds etc. Thats y i continue to say that Real Faith is Spritual Pregnancy unless ya receive the Kingdom of God as a lil Child, a new born that new born babe desiring the sincere milk of the word is the H.G. My lil children of whom i travail in birth till Christ is formed in you. The woman had the substance of things hoped the evidence of things not seen her Child spritually speaking the H.G. 27 Times in the O.T. THE PROPHETS saw the world in travail and birth pains. I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven that was the great Promise.

Chris To answer your question yes because anything the true God does the adversary counterfeits it and gives a com bination of truth and lies. What was conjured up by the witch of endor was a devil spirit known as a familiar spirit [necromancer]which means it knew what saul looked like and how he spoke and what he knew when he was living. Everything that the Counterfeit Samuel said was accurate including the part where Saul was going to die because the adversary knew Saul was dead. The dead are dead and will not resurrect until either the gathering together of the church return of Christ if born again or the resurrection of the just and unjust in the book of revelation. I know christians don't believe this stuff is real but that's what makes the adversary the father of lies. Remember in Genesis thou shalt not die you'll be as smart as God when God said thou shalt surely die and they lost there spiritual connection and eventually took last breath and returned to dust of the ground. Not one place in the bible are they called demons they are devils or messengers of Satan they are spirit beings only working for the enemy. Saul not only sought her advice but broke bread with her that's how checked out saul was mentally. Look at Deuteronomy 18:9-12, the Witch of Endor knew this! There's more to this field of understanding it is a significant part of our spiritual battle. Also seances where they say they talk to the deceased same trip different method, these were held at the white house by several presidents wives!

For you God are kind to the unthankful and evil. praise thee!oh wretched man that i am. Praise the for ever and ever and ever! amen!

I pray LORD, that we may all be men (& women) after thy own heart. that all our ways will be pleasing unto thee alway. for it is your good pleasure to give us (ur creation after your image and likeness) the kingdom of heaven which is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the HolyGhost. thank you so much for saving me and others. you are the kindest, nicest most precious, above all to my heart. you make the sun to shine and warm me, the moon to bless my heart too, water and food. Peace that passes understanding when hope wanteth to fee away. i am safe, thy gentle mighty holy hand surrounds me in protection, and like wise all your saints, specially those that are faithful in trusting you who cast their care upon you our heavenly father. thank you so much. may praises of the joy of my heart fill the heavens and the whole earth alway. Praise you, Praise you, Praise you forever more who art worthy of all Glory, and honour and power, for thou hast created all things to praise thy holy name for ever more. Blessed are those who's iniquity's are covered, who's transgressions are put as far as the east is from the west. Bless all your holy household, from the least first unto the greatest. and may we all obtain those like precious crowns that please thy heart to reward us thy unprofitable servants.. may all come to a knowledge of the and be saved. all! amen amen amen amen amen amen! forevermore, amen!

praise the Lord in all he has done for us praise the Lord for the promises he makes to us

Yes Glenn - very sad but very real. And you probably remember that the first sign of divisions took place in Corinth (see 1 Corinthians 1:10-13).

Here the Corinthian Church began to factionalize, probably emphasizing certain teachings, or even the preaching abilities that were seen in those mentioned (Paul, Apollos, Cephas, Christ). Briefly, these factions looked at Paul (as the Liberty Party: Galatians 5:1); Apollos (as the Intellectual & Eloquent Party: Acts 18:24-28); Cephas (as the Judaizing Party, clinging to many Jewish ceremonial duties, unlike Paul: Galatians 2:11-16); and Christ (as the Exclusive Party, having contempt for all human teachers bar Christ - allusion to this in 2 Corinthians 10:7).

Even though some may not agree with the above very general description, the fact remains that divisions based on personality & teaching began to develop even in the early Church. Should it be any wonder that two thousand years later, things would not get any better? As you study each denomination, you will see this common thread running through them, which has brought about separation, declaring 'we are the only ones with the Truth'. If it were not for the Holy Spirit indwelling only the truly saved, we could well think like them & believe that we are the only holders of Truth. But God has His own people in every place & in every denomination & for some there, they are still being exercised in mind & spirit to learn the Truth by reading God's Word for themselves & to leave when falsehood is preached or the Bible disregarded. We ought to pray for one another that we will not fall prey to the deceptions of the evil one & in forgetting to search the Scriptures.

2 Corinthians 2:7, should read 2 Corinthians 5:17. Apologies, don't know what happened there.

Yes Hope, I would agree with what you've shared there. But I see that Jesus also gave some believers to be "evangelists, pastors, & teachers" ( Ephesians 4:11). The apostolic period & the day of prophetical utterances had finished with the close of The Revelation, but the Church still has others so equipped by the Spirit to carry forward that Word, to teach & evangelize what the apostles & prophets first delivered to us.

There have been many prophets as you would know (mostly self-acclaimed in the cults), & we see the worth of their prophecies. Of the prophecies I've heard today, there has been no more given than what a teacher of God's Word shares under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Have you heard anything that has already not been declared? Bless you, sister.

Hello Doug. Just to add to brothers Rick & Kent's wise advice, my thoughts first turn to 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. This speaks of not just a disciplined body to run the spiritual race before us, but we must note that the Apostle Paul's first act was to engage his mind in that direction. Without being fully convinced & fully focussed on winning the race, all other exercises to attain our goal will ultimately fail. Every professional athlete knows that it is both mind & body that are exercised & engaged to win the prize. A body that is prepared, but with a mind wandering on the concerns of family & other matters, or with having some doubt of winning, has already set a precedent for failure.

And when Paul tells us in Romans 12:2, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God", he speaks of changing the focus from off worldly matters & pursuits (though, we must still live in the world). Paul uses the Greek word that we know as 'metamorphosis', or to transform or change into a "new creature" ( 2 Corinthians 2:7) by first causing our minds to be renewed (re-focussed; in a new direction). And this can only happen when we first determine this in our hearts & minds, allowing God's Spirit to take full control, thereby causing us to have power to live for Christ & to live to make Christ known. And indeed, as already been said, our minds need to feed on God's Word that our spirits might be refreshed daily, giving "proof (in our hearts) of that good, acceptable & perfect Will of God" in our lives.

Thank you Rick. I have also heard from others that which you have written, that the spirit that appeared before the witch was demonic.

The question then: can an impersonating demonic spirit say what he did in 1 Samuel 28:15-20? I have to admit my ignorance on how the spirit of a person wherever it may be located, can be called up to appear, present himself & speak. If this was an (evil) demonic spirit, are then the words it expressed also be considered truth, for it is evident, that an evil spirit cannot bring forth God's Message? Unless of course, that wasn't truth that was given & the whole scenario was a falsehood & should be altogether removed. Samuel however, does give us a clue: he said, "why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up"? (v 15). It appears that Samuel's spirit was at rest at some place (in the OT economy), for he was brought up (up from where?). We need to consider the whole portion & come to our own understanding.

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We then have the account of Sarah & Hagar (Genesis chapter 16 & onwards), & then the apostle uses that account in Galatians chapter 4, to indicate that the story served to reveal to us both an historical event & an allegorical Truth, of Abraham, Sarah & Hagar. One could never presume that those three folk never existed, but a further Truth can be learned about the two covenants. In like manner, because nothing more is known about Lazarus & the rich man, can we confidently believe that that event in Hades did not actually take place with those very people? And yes, I can understand & appreciate the "twofold purpose" of the 'parable'; for indeed tis true, but the third purpose I see that leaps out to the reader, is of the awful torment that awaits those who have given little regard to God's Laws & practice of 'true religion".

"My point - the spirit of the vast majority of Christians do not enter heaven prior to the rapture." If "sleep" is a "holding place referred to by Paul", then at least we should specify where that holding place is. Which brings us to the first point in this discussion: is this holding place at the decomposed body's site, or in Hades, afloat in the ether regions, or elsewhere? Because of the lack of biblical clarity, I would lean towards Paul's own desire to leave this body of flesh & corruption of the world & to be present with his Lord. I don't see an extended gap between leaving the Earth & being in the Lord's presence, even if in spirit form. Every blessing to you brother.

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Our conversation is enlightening & profitable, for which I thank you, brother Bill. Yes, it was my error concerning the "3 recorded resurrections". I took your statement to apply to the graves that were opened at our Lord's crucifixion & death, given the Matthew 27 reference.

Then, to the Lazarus (parable). I understand the meaning of Lazarus, as most names in those days also had a specific meaning, e.g. "Thou art Peter" (Petros), a rock. As much as the Lord used Peter's name to signify the Rock of Truth on which the Church would be built, & Peter the rock, would play a significant part in that, Peter still remained Peter & was Peter to all. With Lazarus, & of course the mention of Abraham's existence, the call & plea to Abraham, & Abraham's response, should conclusively convince us that this was no mere parable, but a real-life (or, real-death) occurrence. And this pointed to those who trusted in riches & not in God, with no regard to the needy, & the one who was in need in life (in OT economy), all had to face an actual (initial) judgement. If this were only a parable, would the mention of Lazarus & Abraham only be allegorical & would Jesus then be deceiving His hearers when such people & such a situation didn't exist in the after-life? And this cannot be said of His other parables (e.g. sower, lost coin, prodigal son, etc.). Onto Page 2.

Denominations, yes there are many !!! I was truly amazed at the amount of them ,.. to me it only hurts an means dividing, or divisions,. For it actually says " We are the many membered body of Christ " ,.. so why so many ??? I dunno !!! But , Christianity is not a religion, it's a reality,.. for we are all , Christ's men / woman !!!!!

Peace

Keep coming back. We are all to put ON CHRIST. Consider others better than ourselves. Learn Tolerance and Patience. Edify and Build up those who have questions.

You are needed here. I tell myself sometimesgoats eat trash, but sheep and lambs do not.

Don't allow this to cause a ripple. If I learned nothing else, idle words get personal attention from the Lord.

You showed me today that there is much more to you, than others realize. Let's be more like Christ. It was hard for me to not trade punches with those who punch. That's how I know about idle words, punch outs, and being reactive.

I actually feel the Holy Spirit grab my collar and pull backlike he's reining in a horse. Yikes LoL

Or He got silent for a while. That hurts worse.

Don't be offended. It all works out.

Brother Chris is always a good teacher; patient and kindsorta like Jesus. :D. He's a missionary.

My favorite Apostles are Paul, John the Beloved; Barnabas too because he cheered others up. My favorite Prophets Ezekiel and Jeremiah. When I first studied Jeremiah, I would cry a lot. A favorite preacher: David Wilkerson. He has videos on YouTube. His son, Gary is a missionary (World Challenge dot com) and puts out regular news bulletins. You should sign up to get those. When I'm through reading them, I go leave it on my neighbors doors.

Don't you know Jesus loves all of us and wants us to be more like Him. I love you in Jesus and pray for the oil of joy to soothe your heart.

Mishael

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

The highlighted verse above is so important in this discussion. Jesus is saying that there is no other way to God (and therefore heaven) accept through Jesus. There is no wiggle room here. If we are open to tolerance in this verse then we are teaching against Jesus Himself. I need to say that again, Jesus is saying that there is no other way to God other than through Him (Jesus). Not by being good. Not by going to church. Jesus alone. That doesn't mean we need to be intolerant in areas of the Bible that are not specifically clear. Some draw divisions over end times discussions. Other draw divisions over the mode of baptism. Other divisions come over the way we need to evangelize.

My point is that I believe that far too often within Bible believing churches, we (the church) have become the chords of disunity where none need to exist. The Bible shows that we need to show the love and unity to a lost and hurting world. It is important to study the Scripture and seek diligently for what it says, however we all need to be humble when we approach the words of God and to err on the side of love and unity whenever possible without disregarding the clear teaching of God's word. Praise Him!

Hi Stacy Italicized words were added by the translators some affect meaning and text some do not.

Hi Doug,

You renew your mind by reading and staying focused on the word of God. It will change your way of thinking to better align it with God's thinking.

Oh my word ! Brother Earl ! 2 Y's U R , 2 Y's U B , I C U R 2 Y's 4 ME ! I'm amazed ! How did you know I'm a woman ? I'm so sorry for my deception . I apologise to you and every one on this site . I'm too ashamed to say any thing else . I'm too ashamed to stay . Good bye and God bless you all . Sacha .

Hi Doug Work the word daily and keep it first in everything you do. In practice work the Church Epistles they are written to us in this the age of grace the body of Christ,also the gospels then old testament. Its all Gods Word giving you my perspective. The church epistles give the doctrine reproof and correction on walking by the spirit in the body of Christ, Romans is the magna carta of Christianity, Ephesians is the spiritual pinnacle and Thessalonians is the gathering together or also whats known as the rapture of the body when Christ returns and we're taken up. God Bless

Hi Hope A lot of individuals do not believe in S.I.T. I have been for 45 years there is biblically 12 things it does for the believer, the reason most don't believe in it are the totally out of order examples they've seen but that doesn't take away from the reality that it is still available to do.