Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 219

Hello Giannis,

It is good to know that God makes Himself known to believers at times in dreams and visions. I have had a few visions, all of them in 2000 at a time when I needed help from the Lord in some serious spiritual matters concerning our church at that time.

These visions were really awesome in the true sense of the word. I was changed remarkable since these (for the better). I have not revealed this matter to many people and the content of the visions only to a few. One I have never revealed the content yet. it was the most amazing one and I was incredibly aware of the holiness of our Lord.

But, like your wife, these visions were private, for me, and not for the church at large or even my dearest friends. They were very personal, having to do with me alone and no one else. I do not share because of this, but also, I do not wish to magnify myself by revealing them. If the Spirit would lead me to do so, I would, as I have shared a bit on here. But, these visions are overwhelmingly humbling in light of the magnificence of the Lord. But, I am not ashamed of them, but wise concerning them.

Thanks for letting me know of your wife's experiences. This uplifts me today.

John 2:23-25

23Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

24But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,

25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

Just as the Son of God warned us that many would claim mighty miracles in His Name ( Matt. 7:22); not knowing Christ as a member of the Godhead kept unregenerate individuals who saw Christ Himself performing them when they ascribed it to someone who was merely a great teacher; or Prophet of God. What the Prophets couldn't do was forgive sins; which is always man's greatest need as we see from John 5:14 where a man for decades was healed from being a paralytic. In this case sin had something to do with his condition but eternal death would probably be the only thing WORSE that Christ was referring to.

Preaching about sin to enemies of God can and will cause strife and persecution. But the whole Gospel must make it clear that our spiritual condition is dead; and judgment inevitable until we are saved; and that only comes through Christ's atonement removing out sins. The Pharisees themselves were looking for signs; even at the cross He was mocked and challenged to save Himself as though He was under the control of those who crucified Him. The concept of setting someone free was overshadowed by the Pharisees tenacious grasp on the law and their many additions of "working on the Sabbath Day" ( Luke 13:16). The crowds wanted free bread and fish; or to be caught up in the acction of the moment; with only a few truly being disciples; worshipping Him; and giving up all for following Him. Matthew 2:7 shows how Herod pretended to want to worship the Christ child; such is the same sort of concept of those who tried to trap Him with questions later on ( Luke 11:53-54). Others only wanted Him to rule as King; which will happen in the Millennium ( John 6:15).

Texsis, 2/2

It is true that we often have to suffer so that we understand how others feel. People who have had easy lives usually are not able to feel sympathy for others, so they tend to be very strict in their judgement for them. This is why God often passes us through tribulations and hardships, to understand our brothers and sisters. We usually tend to be soft to ourselves and strict to others, we all do that, don't we?

When Nathan the prophet went to David and talked to him about Bathsheba, David shouted "death to that man'. When he realized it was him he put his head down and quitely said "forgive me Lord". 2 different types of measurement, one for him and one for the other man.

God bless you.

Hello Texsis. 1/2

My wife has seen visions and has many experiences with God (some are unbelievable even for us, christians) in her christian life since 1996 when she came into the faith. The first one was when she was just a couple of weeks old, I mean as a christian. But I also know other people who have seen visions, one of them has seen Jesus on His way to Golgotha. About tips I don't think she has any. Usually the visions God shows her is about confirming His Word, or explaining it or supporting her when in trouble or something similar. Some have seen things in the future but not my wife. It is a personal gift I guess, it has nothing to do with others. That gift is not included in the list of gifts that are written in the epistle to Corinthians, so as I said it is not for the profit of the church but for her own use and support, for mine as well. If one seeks to see visions and keeps asking the Lord for them, God will eventually answer their request. I think it has much to do with her personality. She is very serious about her faith. She is in love with the Lord and she is very steady and stable and consistent with her faith, always in prayers, in studying the Word, in seeking to help others, in seeking fellowship with christians, consistently attending the church servises, etc. She is like a rock, unmovable. To be honest, I admire her, I am not quite like that. Why in that aspect women are always better than men? It has always puzzled me, maybe it has to do with women's heart.

About judging others now, the thing is not seeing people's mistakes, but seeing them with love ready to help them. God always, since the very begining, knew that people were suffering. But He actually realized what pain was, when he became a man and felt pain Himself. Jesus suffered as a man and now He can intevene to Father for our sake. Jesus felt betrayed, lonely, abandoned, humiliated, tired...

Hello Jema

In the Septuagint, the greek translation that was done in the 2nd-3rd centuaty BC for the Jews that were residing in the Eastern Mediterranean who spoke Aramaic and Greek but not Hebrew, the translators used a term from the grk mythology for the Hebrew term "Sheol". That term was "Hades". The same term was also used by the New Testament's authors. Hades in anc grk mythology was the God of the underworld but also the place where the souls of dead were residing, like shadows in a semi-conscious state. But in the Bible it is not that.

So what is Hades/Sheol? According to Jesus, in the story of Lazarus and the rich man, when they both died, both souls went to Hades but in different sections. The soul of Lazarus (the righteous man) went to the place inside Hades called "Abraham's Bosom", where he was comforted. The soul of the unrepentant sinner went to another section (which is not named) where he was tormented. Hades/Sheol seems to be deep down inside the earth.

After Jesus was resurrected from the dead He took the souls of the righteous people and carried them to Heaven, to Paradise. In the Book of Revelation that Paradise seems to be located under the altar in the Temple of God in Heaven. The souls of all saved people onwards also go to Paradise where they are waiting for the resurrection of all dead people since creation. The sinners still go to Hades.

After the resurrection of the dead, all people will aquire a new spiritual body. The saved people will reside the new earth that God is going to create for them, living happily for ever in the presence of the Lord. The sinners will be thrown to the Lake of Fire that God will create for the devil and the people who followed him in their lives, where they will be tormented for ever. Hades also is going to be thrown to that lake/ be destructed.

In English Hades is often tranlated as either Hell or grave

Just for information. Hades in grk is pronounced as Ah-thees, the "th" as in "the", stressed at "Ah". GBU

Hi Jessica

Here are some Scriptures to point you in the right direction, 1Cor 2:9-13, John 16:13;

Quietly turn, looking within you & listen to the still small Voice of conscience, the one that corrects you when you done something wrong & admonishes you for it. This is the Spirit of Grace appearing within you, who is Christ Col 1:27,28 who been hidden within us, which God willed to make known unto us. Its 1John 2:27

What God requires of us is to live according to the Truth that we now know, & as we are faithful in exercising His Truth, by being doers of the Word, James 1:22-25, we grow in Grace & more Light is given unto us, Thus Proverb 4:18

In my own life journey God lead me to pray for a deeper love for Him, who is the personification of Truth. 2 Thess 2:10,11 so in my understanding of these verses, if I would truly love God more than myself. God would break the deception that I was presently in & keep me from being deceive, all through a devout love for His Truth.

So wait upon the Lord in quietness & stillness of heart, & in simplicity of soul seek His Face 2 Cor 4:6,7, He is Treasure in our earthen vessels, the excellency of the power to open our understand to received the things of God that been freely given unto us, it is not of ourselves, but of God.

Your very desire to draw closer to Him, came from the Father John 6:44 by His Spirit within you, continue in His love.

Psalm 51:6

In love & truth,

who were the sons of God?

Hi

Thank you for your encouragement, I do see the Truth, as I stated it.

You can be assured that Jesus prayers will be answered. What He did for us allows us to fulfill the Great Commission of Gen 1:27

Habakkuk 2:14. this I have received from the Lord, not in studies of man made books, but in waiting in silience upon Him in His Spirit.

& besides, lets take a closer look at present day Christianity, everyone is saying "He's coming soon, even at the door" they have one feller on this site, saying it going to happen just like the movie Left Behind, Ha ! As if God would share the riches of the treasures of His knowledge with Hollywood.

Friend, in all honesty, & simplicity of heart, Where on this planet do you see His Bride, who is Ephesians 5:27 ,let your own conscience answer that question. John 8:9 Rev 18:4



In Love & Truth.

Frankie J

Thank you for your comment but the verses in this post speak for themselves. Being (caught up) to meet the Lord in the air means we meet the Lord in the air (in the clouds). We are changed in the twinkling of an eye means we are changed in the twinkling of an eye to meet the Lord in the air, in the clouds.

((If)) you are seeking the truth in the Word of God then you should see this is truth. Don't be deceived by things you are taught by others but Study for yourself to shew thyself approved a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. Every Word of God is pure!

Truth matters!

Corinthians 1, chapter 14, 34 & 35 Verses (lines) Who changed God words in these 2 lines, that women can speak in churches

what gives man the right to in the Bible. Example Revelations 22:18 & 22:19.

Thanks

GiGi,

I very much appreciate this comment and you have touched on, what I believe, are two of the most important questions facing everyone that claims a relationship with Christ in our day.

These are 1) the Nature of the Bible and how we are to interpret the Bible, and 2) God's plan for the churches and congregations as we approach Judgment Day and the end of the world.

The third, in my view, is 3) the Nature of Salvation, itself.

I have expressed my understanding of each of these questions, to one degree or another, in most of my comments. And I expect my views have caused great consternation for some, perhaps many. But they are what I believe the Bible is teaching and I have, over time, provided some of the Scriptures which I believe support these views.

I hope to continue doing this as God might allow. And pray that God would, in His Mercy, lead each of us into truth and correct us where necessary, in accordance with His will, as we continue to search out His Word.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Thank you Chris, I appreciate your input to my question. I understand what you're saying and I will have a lot of in-depth study of the Psalm's. God bless you

Just to add to Jema's comment, Don, I don't believe that successive individual Psalms can be grouped together into those categories as you've suggested. There are, of course, descriptive titles one can appoint to each Psalm if one chooses to do, but it wouldn't be possible to find a collection of successive Psalms on their own with a common theme, to the rejection of all others with that theme scattered throughout the Psalter.

If for example, you wanted to find 'Lament Psalms', where the author was in distress but still looked to God for hope or deliverance, then one could categorize the following Psalms: Psalms 3,5,6,7,10,12,13,14,17,22,28,31, & others, under that heading. Yet, those Psalms may also have other categories in which they can be classified, such as Psalm 22, where it is also a prophetic-Messianic Psalm which reflects the cry of Jesus to the Father in His hour of need. So, any classification of the Psalms can only be subjective according to one's understanding of each Psalm.

I'm unsure whether my comment has helped answer your question, but in any case, as you read through each Psalm & meditate on it, you might be able to entitle the Psalms with your own classification. And quite often, the very first verse in each Psalm, will give you something of the author's thought or theme which leads into a fuller development of the rest of the Psalm; this is something quite common in Hebrew poetry (called 'parallelism'). Maybe you can look out for this as well as you carefully work through it. May you be blessed in the reading of this sacred Psalter, learning more about the wonder of the LORD God & His care & deliverance when He is called upon. May your love & faith increase as you draw closer to Him.

Hi Joanne - The word Hell in our English Bibles covers a number of different words in the original languages. In the Old Testament, Hell (Sheol in Hebrew) could refer to a literal grave, or with regard men's souls, it usually just meant "the place where dead people go" without any definite meaning of suffering. In the New Testament, we have much more information about the afterlife, and where Hell translates the Greek word Hades, it speaks of that place where the unsaved dead reside until the final judgment. When the unsaved dead are resurrected at the Great White Throne, those people will be cast into the lake of fire, and it seems that Hades will then cease to exist - Rev.20:13-15.

Jena thank you so very much for your response to my question that I posted. I love how you defined how the Psalm's are to be read, sung and enjoy them in their meaning's. Thank you again and I pray the Lord will continue to bless you with word's of wisdom to share with new brother's and sister's in Christ Jesus, Amen .

As far as I know , Hades is the Greek version of the underworld , you can read about it in Greek myths and legends . There is a Greek brother who posts on here , maybe Giannis would be kind enough to tell us about Hades ? If he is busy and unable to help at the moment , you could just look it under Greek myths and legends .

Hi Don , as far as I'm aware , the Psalms are songs , each of them individual though often similar . A bit like the hymns we have now . We read in the times of David and Solomon how these songs of praise and rejoicing were sung in the temple by chosen singers , much like our choirs of today , and also sung by the people who were going up to the temple at those four special times a year that the Israelites were commanded to go to the temple every year . I have to say , I would have loved to have been alive during the reigns of David or Solomon and to have heard all the Israelites singing those songs of praise . They would of course have been sung in Hebrew . Maybe I will get to hear them one day :) maybe I will get to sing along ! It's a nice thought to look forward to . Thy Kingdom Come .

Apostasy in the Church.

Part 3.

Sheep Without Shepherds.

Hosea gives us a parallel that will help us understand the sad spiritual state of Israel at the time of their falling away.

Concerning the backsliding of the northern nation of Israel He complains, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

False Teachers has led them astray.

He warns, "'Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!' saith the Lord. Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

False teachers in the end times are predicted by Jesus, by Paul, and Peter.

The Letter of Jude describes in detail the characteristics of these false teachers.

These apostates will use lying signs, wonders and covetousness and produce a strong deception to draw people into apostasy. Paul warned that the allurement into apostasy will come because "they will not endure sound doctrine.

God bless.

Hi jimbob

the rapture that everyone is talking about in today Christendom is a myth, divise from a theological cemetry in Dallas Tx if I understand right & yes I meant cemetery, cemetery & seminary are spiritual synonyms

Jesus prayed, John 17:15 John 17:20

Titus 2:11-14 appearing of the Great God & Savior is the Grace of God that appears to all mankind, His spiritual appearance in everyones heart, making it possible for all the other Scriptures you quoted possible.

The tribulations are our spiritual inward trials & suffering as Christ breaks thru the darkness that we're captivated too,& redeems, delivers & translate us into the kingdom of His dear Son, through the washing of regeneration & renewing of the Holy Spirit unto the new creature, culminating the work of sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience & sprinkling of of the Blood/Life of Jesus within us. When were truely born again, experientially Matt 3:11,12 He gathers us unto the Garder, seeing Him spirituallly come in the clouds in great glory. We're still here on earth, but we're spiritual conscious of heaven 2Cor 2:17

The writers of the NT were speaking in the present tense, they said "we" it would be a cruel hoax to tell them to look for Him when it would be over 2000yrs later. Jesus said Luke 17:20-23 Luke 9:27 to those who were with Him then.

Luke 11:2 Luke 12:32 here & now, this is the exceedingly great glory of the Christ sacrifice John 17:21-24

In Love & Truth

Apostasy in the Church.

Part 2.

The Worldwide Ecumenical Movement demonstrates this dangerous paradigm shift among some churches today, which results in pragmatic political positioning that dilutes and dims the "Salt and Light effect of the true followers of Jesus Christ.

Sheep Without Shepherds - Again, Hosea gives us the historic parallel the will help us understand the sad spiritual state of Israel at the time of their falling away. Concerning the backsliding of the northern nation of Israel He complains, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Jeremiah tells us that this is caused by the wayward spiritual leaders that have, "led them astray. He warns, "'Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!' saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

False teachers in the end times are predicted by Jesus, by Paul, and Peter. The Letter of Jude describes in detail the characteristics of these false teachers. These apostates will use lying signs, wonders and covetousness and produce a strong deception to draw people into apostasy. Paul warned that the allurement into apostasy will come because "they will not endure sound doctrine.

Paul warns the Corinthian Church in 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 one that offers "another Jesus, another Spirit, and another gospel."

Mathew 13:24-30 gives us a clue how this is done.

Paul describes to his disciple Timothy, that they are, "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

These are perilous times we live in.

GB.

Apostasy in the Church.

Part 1.

Examining three causes of Apostasy,

All three have an example in the history of Israel.

1) Broken Cisterns - Jeremiah complained about the apostasy of Judah by saying,

Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods?

but my people have changed their glory for [that which] doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

Jeremiah 2:11-13

Today, Darwinian physical science has given the world something I call "Declaration over Exploration." Sadly, many Churches are promoting "Theistic Evolution" as a needless compromise with the disastrous result of the killing of God the Creator.

Freudian mental science has given the world an "escape from sin" where everyone is a victim. Here, too many in the Church promote these unbiblical ideas and thereby kill God the Judge.

Biblical "Higher Criticism" and "Lower Criticism" from the 19th-20th Centuries11 gave the world spiritual doubt. The result? The absence of personal discernment as the Church promotes its own self-criticism. All three of these secular practices are like the "broken cisterns" spoken of by Jeremiah.

2) Alliances of Weakness.

Hosea helps us draw a historical parallel here. He observes that "Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned. Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth [it] not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not."12 He was warning against the infiltration, integration, and influence of evil.

The best example of this kind of compromise is King Solomon himself. The writer of 1 Kings reminds us in 1 Kings 11:1-4.

See part 2.

Friends;

I've been reading the comments concerning the word of God, the Bible.

It appears that y'all have come to a conclusion that the Scriptures are to be the rule & guide of a Christian life, or at least finally stated this conclusion. Friends, no its not!

The Guide & Rule of a Christian life is not the Scriptures, but the Spirit, that gave forth the Scriptures

Jesus said, John 16:13, He didn't say the letter would lead us into all truth, but the Spirit. 1John 2:27 2Pet 1:3

Rom 8:14; not the letter, but led by the Spirit are the sons & daughters of God

Psalms 143:10 Gal 4:10 Rom 8:16 Rom 8:9

Friends, you who are fermented on the Scriptures, do you not hear what the letters has to say?

2Cor 3:6 1Cor 2:9-13 Rev 2:7,11 Rev 2:29 etc;

Jesus was made like unto us in all things, & is our Example, its recorded in Scriptures John 7:15 was not taught by man, but taught & lead by God Spirit John 5:19 2Cor 5:19,20 Rom 8:11 & was made 1Cor 15:45 to all that will receive Him in Spirit.

John the Baptist, was in the wilderness unto the day of his appearing; Luke 1:80 it is written Luke 3:2 John 1:33 the Spirit of God came to him, taught him & empowered him for the life & ministry chosen for him from the foundation of the world.

The same principle applies to us this day, God has not change, He works the same way He always has & that's by His Spirit.

As I stated previously the Scripture true glory & honor are they give us a true testimony of Christ & point to Him who did return as He promised, & that in Spirit. The Scriptures are very profitable indeed when honor for which they were given forth. The NT is the administration of the Spirit 2Cor 3:8

Paul says Philippians 1:19 The Spirit of Christ is what lead him & taught him all that we read of in his writing. He counted all the knowledge & understanding that he previously attain to & live as Dung, Philippians 3:5-8 compare to the experiential knowledge John 5:17 he received from Holy Spirit. 1John 4:6 do you hear Him?

in L & T

Rapture verses in context.

Here are some pre-tribulation rapture verses ( 1 Thessalonians. 4:16-17) This is when Jesus Christ comes which is the rapture.

(1) there is a sound of a trumpet. (2) there is a gathering together. (3) He comes in the clouds.

Now we read ( 1 Cor. 15:51-52) We are changed. ( 1 Thess. 4:17) "shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air". (we are changed)

When we meet the Lord in the air then we are changed in the twinkling of an eye, at the (last) trump. The word (last) is #2078; it means farthest, final (of place or time) ends of, last. The last trump doesn't sound much like it happens before the tribulation does it?

We read in ( Col. 3:4) "When Christ who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" This is when we meet Jesus in the clouds, we change in a twinkling of an eye, at the LAST trump and we appear with Jesus in GLORY.

( 1 Pet. 5:4) "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a crown of GLORY that fadeth not away" When Jesus appears we receive a crown of GLORY when we change and meet Jesus in the clouds.

( 1 Jn. 3:2) Tells us "when he shall appear, we shall be like him" We are changed and we receive a crown of GLORY.

( Phil. 3:20-21) Tells us "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body" We are changed at the last trump at the twinkling of an eye to meet the Lord Jesus in the clouds.

( Titus. 2:13) 'Looking for that blessed hope, and the (glorious appearing) of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ"

When does He appear?

( Mt. 24:29-31) v29 "Immediately AFTER THE TRIBULATION"

v30 "And then shall APPEAR the sign of the Son of man in heaven", "and they shall see the Son of man COMING IN THE CLOUDS of heaven with power and great GLORY"

(1) there's a (sound of a trumpet)

(2) and they shall (gather together) his elect

(3) the Son of man (coming in the clouds)

( Mt. 24:29-31) His (appearing) is the rapture.

Truth matters.

Question; Are the Psalm's split into section's for different inspirations?

Hello Richard, Adam and all. Somehow the times demand the need to go from observation to preservation. I doubt this will happen by more and more observation like movies, the news and the right politics of fixing the world. The Gospel must be kept alive in practice and yet separate from the worldly lusts which is of flesh. I have been thinking of the pale horse metaphorically as the flesh following weakly the newly regenerated soul and mind. Ever so close to the Gospel and yet denied of the True King's meat. The regenerated soul is much like Jonathan's son and is welcome at the King's table. The continual deterioration of society is hard to watch but while watching the times, we need to preserve the blood bought soul for God's more heavenly purpose even if it cost our natural life being cut short. We can be ministers of reconciliation if we are looking for the souls being drawn to Christ at the Cross as time remains, carrying the very presence of the Lord right up close in these earthen vessels.

Hello Bro Dan.

Had a garage sale last weekend at my friends house and will do it again at my house in a few weeks. We both are purging our belongings. We just have accumulated more than we ought to have and I have been working at this since I retired a few years ago. Got rid of all my work clothes, shoes, etc. Been going room by room and giving much away over the past few years.

In this area of belongings, I am repenting, for sure. Having a house big enough for the kids to grow up in was great when they were young, but now they are grown, and we hope to downsize to a much smaller home in an area of the U.S. we can afford to purchase a lot and build a home I designed that is ADA favorable. We hope to be able to stay in the house we build for a few dozen years. Then we would be 90! But we have been in this home almost 30 years and my has things filled it up!

So this conversation is a very appropriate one for me. It hits me in the area I have working at mastering. When we were first married 43 years ago all of both of our belongings could fit into a small Subaru wagon in the early 80's. We did not have much and lived simply. Want to get back to that.

I grew up in poverty and didn't mind. But as our income has grown I must admit that I have enjoyed having some special things. But then I found too many special things and now must make a change. We have always been frugal, but looking for a bargain can be equally troublesome, as I found out.

Our culture is not just consumer driven, but in this present time, we are a throw away society that wants to change things up every few years/season. HD TV has helped this trend, for sure.

Well, got to get to dinner now. Please pray that I keep at this purging until God says I can stop.

I believe the Book of Psalms is separated by different reason's say for strengthening you, for protection while sleeping from being attached by evil entities of Satan, and also section giving praise to our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, giving glorious word's of enlightenment of our Creator and of our Salvation. Can you help me in this separation or am I wrong in my thoughts. Please help me, I am a new Christian Thank you, God bless

Jema you sound just like David, are you the same person?

Hello again David.

Like you, I believe that Scriptures when written were so inspired by God that every word is what God intended to be written by the authors. I do not think that God dictated the Scriptures through the writers.

We do need to have a high view of Scripture and know that it is the truth of God to man. We do need to be steadfast in pronouncing the Scriptures as our source, rule and authority for matters of life and doctrine.

It is sad that so many churches have indeed wavered in this stance in light of the changes in our culture over the past 50-75 years. Yet, there are many churches that still hold fast to this view of Scriptures and are reliable witnesses for the Lord through the teaching, preaching, and individual lifestyles and witness of the believers that attend these churches. It is a great thing when one is led to such a church by the Holy Spirit.

The dumbing down of and taming of what the Scriptures say to become more palatable to both believers and unbelievers has been going on for a few hundred years beginning in the "Enlightenment" era.

While I think that God does call some believers to "come out of" the visible church, as you say, but I also believe that most believers can thrive in the visible church environment today. This is a matter of the "freedom of the believer" as long as what is chosen is truly of the Holy Spirit.

For me, the top topics that are most important for believers to learn and discuss are the Truth about Who God is in both His Oneness and in His three Persons, the Person, Life and Work of Jesus Christ for our salvation, and the essence of the Gospel.

The Scriptures is where we get our doctrine from and also is empowered to be profitable towards salvation to those who hear the Gospel. The Holy Spirit uses Scripture to bring people to Jesus for salvation, to teach us what is sound doctrine, and for us to know how God wishes us to live our life in imitation of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

Thanks, David.

Richard, I probably posted to you instead of to David. I thought I had replied to his post. ooops.

It is interesting how God did use Balaam despite Balaam's use of sorcery and certainly his heart was not to bless Israel. But God forced Balaam to bless Israel. We don't often think about this kind of action of God, but He is all-powerful and can do as He pleases. Our free will is a gift, not a "given" and knowing that God works this way at times is compelling. But most of the time, He does not use such force as far as we know. But then again, there is a lot we do not know of what God does.