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There are different ways to strike up a conversation on the street. I have seen role playing: i.e. discussing among believers
on whether anyone can be good in order to direct attention to bystanders. I prefer genuine discourse on scripture waiting for witnessing opportunities.
Prayer: I stated in another post that a friend of mine spent an hour in prayer for every hour witnessing. Prayer is needed to soften our own hearts as well as working on others; preparing them to hear the Gospel and bringing them into our paths. Spiritual opposition needs to be dealt with proactively as well; much as the O.T. saints prayed before going to battle against the giants.
Tracts: I personally prefer Chapel Library from Pensacola which has what is termed the Grace Gospel; i.e. a strong doctrine of election viewpoint related to scripture. The 5 points of Calvin is strongly followed by the group I hung out with in Pittsburgh although that wasn't used as far as I know as a Gospel tract per se. I have utilized other tracts. I would strongly suggest reading any tract before handing it out; as well as not relying too strongly on that alone to have the most impact. THere are times we only have a second to hand something out; but a conversation is always best especially when in groups.
Group Dynamics: Having men to talk with men; women with women is helpful for encounters on the street. Having someone to focus on prayer as well as someone focusing on discussing scripture isn't mutually exclusive but can be helpful when a group of individuals appears. It helps when someone has a gift card; as well as availability to walk a few blocks when someone is going someplace but open to conversation. Also; of course those who have been out there for a while may be aware of dangerous people to avoid who are not open to the Gospel at the time. Finally someone should be praying as their focus during an outing as situations arise.
If we examine the Old Testament; we see that prayers are often focused on the nation of Israel as a whole and repentance. We see this in Daniel; Jeremiah; Isaiah and Ezekiel. They are also often directed to specific battles that are about to be undertaken.
Personal prayers seem quite limited. We see more petitioning with Abraham over Sodom which was no doubt due to concerns of Lot being there. Lot and his immediate family's deliverance were already in the works although Abraham only would have heard of the investigation to see if the evil was as bad as reported if he heard the conversation. Clearly God knew that indeed there were less than 10 righteous there at that time but perhaps chose to delegate the investigation to others since He cannot look on sin Himself. Lot's son in laws COULD have escaped if they heeded the warnings; and his wife started to escape but was destroyed after looking back; therefore only Lot and his two daughters escaped in the end; 3 people.
In the New Testament we see Christ and the Apostle Paul near their deaths praying for the church to come and for doctrinal purity in the church; respectively. Other than Paul we don't have specific prayers mentioned that I am aware of. The focus on others means that the emphasis was not on reducing sufferings for either individual. This doesn't mean we can't pray for personal needs it just shows the focus should be on the Body of Christ and His will being done. The needs of others are things we often consider; jealousy for the truth may be somewhat lacking. Such prayers represent challenging the status quo; and perhaps asking God to ruffle a few feathers. We need to consider those kind of supplications as part of loving our brothers and sisters in the Lord as well as taking action. Boldly coming to the Throne ( Heb. 4:16) is something we can do; and much of that should be in order to pray for avenues to fulfill the Great Commission.
Since the subject of animals has come up; I thought I would tackle another subject: that of children and the Rapture/Resurrection.
Point One: The Rapture is for the church; therefore it doesn't necessarily prove unbelieving kids are part of that event. Matthew 18:10 makes it clear that children have an angel beholding the Father in heaven continually; that and other verses make it clear that kids all make it to heaven before the age of accountability. They would necessarily rise by the Great White Throne Judgment.
I have noted previously that those who physically survive the Tribulation and die before the end of the Millennium may be among those who are in the Book of Life; rather than assuming all are lost at that Resurrection. Even that is somewhat nebulous as the man who dies at 100 is considered accursed and that may show that only rebels and unbelievers die at that time; the rest living physically the whole Millennium and then standing before God along with the resurrected wicked at that time.
I would tend to think that kids would be Resurrected at the beginning of the Millennium after the Tribulation. Clearly those martyrs in Christ would arise at that time; perhaps a bit sooner actually before the vial judgments after the Trumpet judgments.
I will also say that kids can be prayed for as to being Raptured out and those families already in a Covenant with God may have some sway in regard to that issue with blessings spreading to their offspring. That would NOT go beyond a child's age of accountability however. I would surely expect many youth to come to Christ through the Tribulation who the enemy has not successfully destroyed before that time. Many older folks just won't have the strength to endure very long into that period and energy needed for widespread evangelism. Those kids below the age of accountability will also exist in the Tribulation; most I would expect will die but be saved by God's grace.
That could likely be when we see animals rise again.
The Millennial Kingdom is likely the creatures that survive the Tribulation. It is unclear what percent of them die in that time; although one of the vial judgments kills ALL the life in the sea (hence there IS no more sea in the new earth). As with the replenishing of the Dead Sea (see end of Ezekiel); I would surmise that there is a fresh water stock of fish that multiply; although God could do something else (it appears fresh water and some fish already are entering underground in that area but only in certain sections; scripture shows how the reeds along the edge remain salt water areas).
It also appears that horses at be present at the Second Coming; as they will come down with the saints and with Christ Himself; if that is to be taken literally. It is conceivable that Resurrected bodies of humans will be able to jump into the earth's gravity and not be destroyed; these creatures therefore would have to be either horses that live in heaven or perhaps resurrected for that event which is just speculative.
Of course there are the extinct prehistoric dinosaurs and other creatures as well as many living under the sea and in the earth we are probably not familiar with today. There are also angelic beings that look like creatures (Cherubim) but are spirit beings.
I would surmise also that whatever the original ancestors looked like will be seen as well; it would be likely that reproduction as with resurrected men would halt after animals are Resurrected. I would also hazard a guess that the animals would be in their original role as well as being docile enough for us to hang around; like an outdoor pet.
Not a subject to nix fellowship over differing views...
I want to thank God for his word on today it was for me and how I was feeling at this time. It's good to know that the spirit of the Lord knows our heart and He knows what to give us when we are in need. I want to take this time just to tell the Lord thank you for all he has done for me. For the breath in my body and the blood that's running warm in my veins he is so wonderful regardless how I feel he is a HEALER OF ALL THINGS.
We as the people of God must keep praying for all things In Jesus Name
I agree, and concur with you, and totally with the scripture directed at "living in obediance" and worshipping God in the Spirit! I also agree, many can be conversant in the scripture - but NOT OBEY the scripture. To walk in the Spirit is to obey the scripture and God's Commands. If we have God's Holy Spirit in us; He will NOT let us disobey His Comands, I have found this out the hard way too, and believe me, when Jesus says to sin no more - or something worse will happen to you - it will! If we really have the Spirit in us we will obey all of His Commands.
Example: Hebrews 5:9 "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"
Please note: That obey Him, That obey Him, That obey Him, That obey Him
Pual isn't telling us that we get the salvation for free - as many of todays modern christains believe. Paul states in the scripture above: only those that obey God recieve eternal salvation!!!
And Jesus tells us plainly: Luke 9:23 "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
Once we begin to deny ourselves and we pick up our cross, then and only then - can we begin to follow Jesus in the manner that He wants. If we are living for the worldly things..we are serving satan!
It is very painful to die to ourselves, so to picking up our cross daily can be extremely painful, but nowhere near as painful as what Christ endured for us!
Jesus tells us: Luke 9:24 "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."
Is Jesus telling us that we must give up our worldly lives? Yes. Why is it so hard for us to understand this? Christains may not like to hear this scripture - but we simply can't ignore it!
Read and Believe!
Acts 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock{the LORD Jesus Christ}I will build my church{the Eternal Church, All True Believers throughout history, the ISRAEL OF GOD}; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Mark 4:34 But without a PARABLE spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
The historical events that God records in the Bible are absolutely accurate in their historical account. But God did not record these events in the first instance to give us a history lesson. They are recorded to teach us some aspect of the Gospel which is God's Judgment and Salvation program for Mankind and this World.
And the Book of Jeremiah, like the entire Bible, is exactly that.
Ephesians 3:1-15 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the MYSTERY; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the MYSTERY of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be FELLOWHEIRS{of the New Heavens and New Earth}, and of the SAME BODY{the Israel of God}, and PARTAKERS OF HIS PROMISE in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the FELLOWSHIP, OF THE MYSTERY which from the FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD HATH BEEN HID IN GOD, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the CHURCH {All True Believers throughout history} the manifold wisdom of God, According to the ETERNAL PURPOSE which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the WHOLE FAMILY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH{All True Believers throughout history}is named,
Ephesians 3:21 Unto him be glory in the CHURCH{All True Believers throughout history}by Christ Jesus throughout ALL AGES, world without end{the New Heavens and New Earth}. Amen.
There is ONE SALVATION, ONE INHERITANCE for all True Believers throughout history, i.e. the ISRAEL OF GOD.
The verse he quoted is part of the biblical book of Revelation, a book that contains visions and prophecies about the end times and the return of Jesus Christ. In this particular verse, John, the author of Revelation, describes a vision of worship in heaven. Every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea is heard praising God and the Lamb (Jesus Christ) with blessings, honour, glory, and power.
While the Bible does not explicitly address the fate of pets during the rapture or in heaven, some theologians and religious scholars have explored this topic with different perspectives.
1. No Direct Scriptural Mention: As you noted, the verse in Revelation 5:13 refers to creatures in general, but it does not specifically mention animals or pets. This absence of direct scriptural mention makes it difficult to provide a definitive answer. The Bible primarily focuses on humanity's relationship with God and the salvation of souls.
2. God's Love and Care: Many God-fearing individuals believe in God's love and care for all of His creations. Since God cares for His creation, it is not unreasonable to think that He would also care for animals, including our beloved pets.
3. Theological Speculation: Some theologians speculate that since pets are part of God's creation and bring joy and companionship to people, they might have a place in God's eternal plan. They suggest that animals may be part of the new heaven and new earth mentioned in Revelation 21:1, where God will make all things new.
4. Symbolic Representation: In some interpretations, animals are seen as symbolic representations of God's goodness, beauty, and creativity. They are considered a reflection of His attributes, and in that sense, their presence in heaven is understood metaphorically.
Meaning- the True knowledge of God conforms us to the Divine Nature, Rom 8:29 1John 4:17
Walking & living in the Spirit, Gal 5:22,23, Ephesians 5:9, They're truly born again of the Incorruptible Seed & sin not 1John 3:9 & those that are not led or have the Spirit are none of His. Rom 8:9
False knowledge does not destroy the works to the devil, but leaves the corrupt Tree standing, meaning the old Adamic nature, the man of sin, because his seed (Satan) remains in him, thus one continues in sin, though he or she is ever so conversant in the letter of the Scriptures.
In love & truth
The Axe laid to the Root of the Corrupt Tree ( 2 Peter 1:4)
THAT the true faith (the faith of the gospel, the faith of the elect, the faith which saves the sinner from sin, and makes him more than a conqueror over sin and the powers of darkness) is a belief in the nature of God; which belief giveth entrance into, fixeth in and causeth an abiding in that nature. Unbelief entereth into death, and fixeth in the death: faith giveth entrance into, and fixeth in the life. Faith is an ingrafting into the vine, a partaking of the nature of the vine, a sucking of the juice of life from the vine; which nothing is able to do but the faith, but the belief in the nature. And nothing can believe in the nature, but what is one with the nature. So then faith is not a believing the history of the scripture, or a believing and applying the promises, or a believing that Christ died for sinners in general, or for me in particular; for all this may be done by the unbelieving nature (like the Jew); but a uniting to the nature of God in Christ, which the unbeliever starts from, in the midst of his believing of these
Yet I do not deny that all these things are to be believed, and are believed with the true faith: but this I affirm, that they also may be believed without the true faith; and that such a belief of these doth not determine a man to be a believer in the sight of God, but only the union with the nature of that life from whence all these sprang, and in which alone they have their true value.
That the true faith springs from the true knowledge, or comes with the true knowledge of the true nature of God in Christ, which it believes in. He can never believe in the nature of God, who hath not first the nature of God revealed to him. If a man search the Scriptures all his days, hear all that can be said by men concerning God, Christ, faith, justification, &c., be able to dispute about them, and think he can make his tenets good against all the world; yet, if he hath not received the true knowledge of the nature of these things, all his professed faith in them cannot be true.
That the true knowledge is only to be had by the immediate revelation of Christ in the soul. No man knows the Father, but the Son, and he to whom the son reveals him. The dead shall hear the voice of the son of God, and they that hear shall live. There is no raising of a dead soul to life, but by the immediate voice of Christ. Outward preaching, reading the Scriptures, &c. may direct and encourage men to hearken after and wait for the voice; but it is the immediate voice of Christ in the soul, which alone can quicken the soul to God: and till the light of life shine immediately from Christ in the heart, the true knowledge is never given. 2 Cor 4:6
Issac Penington
The prophet Ezekiel was ministering to the southern kingdom, Judah, & Ezekiel himself was one of the many captives taken to Babylon. So he was re-telling the story of their downfall & their present suffering. If you understand these metaphors, then the picture of this chapter will become clearer.
Verse 2, 'mother, a lioness': is the Kingdom of Judah; 'the lions, whelps': are the kings of Judah. When Judah "brought up one of her whelps, it became a young lion" (v3): referring to King Jehoahaz - for he was taken as a prisoner to Egypt (v4) by Pharaoh-Necho (see 2 Kings 23:31-34 for this account).
Verses 5-9: when Judah waited too long for Jehoahaz to return & all hope was gone, she took "another of her whelps" (Jehoiachin) & made him king. But when Babylon attacked Judah & Jerusalem & took captives, Jehoiachin was also taken with them (v9; also 2 Kings 24:15). Then in verses 10-14, "the mother" Judah is seen as a vine, plucked up in fury by Nebuchadnezzar, because of the rebellion of King Zedekiah ( 2 Kings 24:17-20; Jeremiah 52:3) against Babylon. Verses 11-14: even though Judah was strong, exalted, & stood out as a sceptre, she was soon removed & the branches of the vine were broken off & the vine withered. Therefore, she is in Babylon (as one now planted in the wilderness) & her greatness & that of her kings were now absolutely nothing. So Ezekiel weeps over such devastation of a great kingdom & will forever remain in the minds of the people. But God would give them hope ( Ezekiel 20:33-44).
If not, they could possibly pull back into Catholicism and that's not what we want. We want them to to be delivered from darkness and into the truth so we tell them the truth.