Bible Discussion Thread

I have a question or maybe it is a comment with a question mark. Hoping someone may be able to either affirm my interpretation of Mat 24 or shed a different understanding. As I read this scripture, I am understanding that Jesus is telling us the steps as they will happen to His returning and that even though no one except The Father knows the time we are to be ever watchful. Not fall for false prophets, false christ. AND....that the Rapture (removal of the faithful) does NOT happen before but, AFTER Tribulation. I am finding that by reading scripture myself instead of depending on the church that I have been lied to all my life, we all have- by false teachers. Satan goes through these churches, religions that are not of God and misleads us into believing everything will be fine. Relax. Go to sleep. Someone else will watch for you. You still have time to sin a little. I am angry at how gullible I have been. They lie saying "they are in a better place now", when someone dies. Not unless the ground is a better place because the Bible plainly says the dead know nothing, are as if asleep, until Jesus comes back to gather all, living and dead, that have been and were faithful. ??

Hi Jaell,

Just a few things, I am sorry you feel you have been lied to, there are different interpretations out there. If we study Matt. 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 together it helps.

I have found when studying the Bible, we should not start with a preconceived idea, it is easy to see Scriptures that fit a picture we have painted in our mind rather than letting the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit reveal the true meaning.

First, Jesus's death and resurrection were hidden from them, Luke 18:31-34. Even after he was crucified, they were distraught and did not understand the fact that he was killed. John 16:16-20 and we have Luke 24:4-6. Not knowing Jesus was going to die would they be asking Jesus about His second coming?

Is all of Matthew 24 about the end time, many combined it with other prophecies to create a picture of the end time. Some of it is obviously about Jesus's second coming but much of it was to prepare them for what they were to endure up to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. False prophets we see there were many before 70 AD, Acts 21:36-38 Acts 8:9 and others. If we look at history there were wars, earthquakes, and famine, Acts 7:11 and Acts 11:28.

Many put Matt. 24:15 and Mark 13:14 at the end time with an antichrist, should we not consider what Luke wrote about the same thing, Luke 21:20 that history has recorded?

One other thing why would Jesus say to pray their flee would not be on a Sabbath day? Today would not be a problem with the transportation we have. Back then the gates of Jerusalem would be locked and would be hard to get out and it would take days to get clear, with a pace of 2.5 mph.

I am with you, we sleep in the grave until resurrection the first of those who are chosen and faithful, Rev. 17:14 at Jesus's second coming and the second, the rest of the dead at the white throne judgment/the sheep and the goats and those whose names are not in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire, Rev. 20:15.

God bless,

RLW

Ronald Whittemore

The disciples showed JESUS the buildings of the Temple.(Oh how great,admirable,were the stones of the Temple!)JESUS said:See ye not all these things?verily I say unto you,There shall not be left here ONE stone upon another,that shall not be thrown down.

Jesus left His disciples disappointed with His answer,evidently.

What JESUS prophesied LITERALLY was fulfilled,the Temple was destroyed in 70AD,and Israel was banned from their land and scattered around the world for around 1878 years,from year 70AD to 1948AD,more than 100K died under the Romans's attack.

Israel was punished severely from year 70AD until 1948AD, they suffered severe and great punishments in LITERAL fulfillment of Deuteronomy 28:15-68, so 53 verses of severe chastisements and curses.Take a look.The WORD IS GOD,self executing.

After JESUS went to the Mount of Olives,the disciples privately asked Him two important things:

1-What shall be the sign of thy coming?

2-and of the END of the world?(the current Devil's world)

The testimomy of JESUS is the Spirit of prophecy.He LISTED several events linked(1st)to His coming;(2nd)to the END of this current Devil's world.

JESUS LISTED SEVERAL EVENTS, as follow: Matthew 24:4-8:

4-Take heed that no man deceive you;(first concerns of JESUS).

5- Many shall come in my name,saying,I am Christ;and shall deceive many;

(Soon will manifest the Beast of the earth who has two horns like a lamb,actually a false lamb,a false messiah, AN IMPOSTOR:- John 5:v.43 combined with Revelation 13:v.11-18)

6-And ye shall hear of WARS and RUMOURS of WARS;see that ye be not troubled:for all these things must come to pass,but the END is not yet.

7-NATION shall rise against NATION,and kingdom against kingdom(G7,and G20,EU,UNO, among others Entities shall be DISSOLVED from now on?)

-there shall be famines;

-and pestilences;

-and earthquakes in divers places.

8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

The WORST is yet to come as is written in Matt.24:15-25

Get ready

Hey Oseas,

Part 1

Scripture is clear the crucifixion and resurrection were hidden from the disciples. They were devastated and undecided on what to do when Jesus rose from the dead as the Scripture tells us. Jesus' first coming was for the lost sheep of Israel only, the mystery had not been revealed it was hidden from Satan. All were looking for the Messiah to deliver them from Rome and set up the kingdom when He first came.

The disciples as we see in Acts 1:6-7 After His resurrection the disciples asked Him "wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel"? With this, I cannot see them asking Jesus for a sign of His second coming, the wording of Matt. 24:3 is the completion of this age, they had on their minds, setting up the kingdom not the end of the world.

Years ago, I was deep in the end-time prophecies, and I got to the point where I was like a dog chasing its tail. I put those studies up and I opened the Bible and was just reading, and I came to those words you have as 4 Take heed that no man deceive you. When I got to those words, they looked like they were 20 times larger it was like they were jumping off the page.

That is a warning we need to take to heart, my studies changed from then on I still can say I have much to learn. "Many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many". This has been going on since Jesus ascended to heaven, the Scriptures have a few but there were many. Revolts were started by those saying they were the Messiah and would deliver them from Rome and there will be false prophets until Jesus returns.

See part two.

Ronald Whittemore

Firstly, I dind't understand reading your reply-part 1- why you have started it running away from the main focus of my post, I did not write anything about crucifixion and resurrection of JESUS, so, what you wrote has nothing to do with Matthew 24.

Your spirit tried to justify this undesirable behavior mentioning Acts 1:6-7. But the worst is that you surreptitiously said that "cannot see-the disciples- ASKING JESUS for a SIGN of His second coming, the wording of Matt. 24:3:

Now, now, then you confess you BELIEVE NOT in the Holy Scriptures, in what is written in the Book of the Lord- Matthew 24:3-4KJV:

-3...the disciples came unto JESUS privately, literally saying,"Tell us...what shall be the SIGN of THY COMING, and of the END the WORLD?"

-4 JESUS answered and said unto the disciples(AND TO ME TOO),Take heed that no man deceive you. As you can see, you did not deceive me with your words, actually it is impossible you deceive me.



In your third sentence you confess that years ago was like a dog studing end-time prophecies, and reading Matthew 4 "the words looked like they were 20 times larger it was like they were jumping off the page" , I must say i don't believe in cunningly devised fables.

You said "that a warning we need to take to heart, your studies changed from then on you still can say you have much to learn", ok in fact you "have much to learn" as you said, you have lamp but it already went out then your spirit tries to feed you with chaff and tares according to your reply.

My Lord JESUS left very very clear,saying: Matthew 12:35-37KJV

35 ... an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

36But I say unto you,That every IDLE WORD that men shall speak,they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment(that is the seventh and last Day,or seventh and last millennium).

37For by thy words thou shalt be justified,and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

The Word is GOD- John 1:1,self-executing.Take care or get ready

Oseas,

Part two

A beast and false prophet are coming but not claiming to be Christ, 2 Thess. 2:4 he "will exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped". This will be a worldwide deception that people of all religions will be deceived.

Some of Matt. 24 is for us today but much of it was for the disciples. History recorded many of the things Jesus said were happening, wars between Jews and Syrians and others. There was not only sedition and civil war throughout Judea but likewise in Italy: Otho and Vitellius contending for the empire. Earthquakes in Rome, Pompeii, Lycus Valley, cities of Pergamum, Laodicea, and Colosse. And the Bible tells of the famine in Jerusalem and other parts of the world.

Bad times are coming that we need to be ready for, we just need to keep in mind this fleshly body is not what is going to be saved. "Here is the patience and the faith of the saints" Rev. 13:9-10. I know we have different understandings; I could say more but I will leave it here.

God bless,

RLW

Ronald Whittemore

To comment the first sentence of your post-part 2-, be sure that what matters and prevails is the Word of GOD, the Word is GOD- John 1:1, self-executing, understand?

What does the Word of GOD say?

2Thessalonians 2:3-6 and 9-12

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Your thinking is from a human perspective, a stumblingblock, not from GOD's perspective. The verbiage your spirit manifested in your reply is good for nothing.

The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth, the one who comes from above is above all- John 3:31 combined with Ephesians 1:3, among other Scriptures.

Be careful of then get ready

Hey Oseas,

Most all on this site are caring and have a heart of love towards others as brothers and sisters. You may enjoy belittling people, and judging those who have a different understanding, maybe it makes you feel superior.

I will pray for you, there is only one who will judge us. Please no more replies to me I will not reply, I am sorry.

God bless,

RLW

Ronald Whittemore

OK, Ronald, but having read your reply I see it deserves or even requires an important clarification not only for you, but for everyone's knowledge here, as follow:

I highlight your point and I must consider it very important to "have a heart of love towards others as brothers and sisters" as you said in your reply. But it is important to highlight also this desirable behavior only exists and happens when the Truth is spoken, GOD is the Truth; Then, when someone speaks out having a heart of love as Peter in Matthew 16:22-23(take a look), that kind of "love" manifestation actually is a stumbling block, and it creates a deadly environment, as can be seen in Genesis 3:1&5.

That said, it is essential to discern the spirit(s) as JESUS discerned in- Matthew 16:22-23- , in order not to fall into the Devil's trap.

Be careful or then get ready

On the other hand, I don't bellit people, neither I feel superior, as you suggest in your reply, and who Judges is the Word of GOD, not me, the Word is GOD, understand? By the way, the Word of GOD is quick -the Word is GOD- , and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged Sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a DISCERNER of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we must give an account.

By the way, my Lord JESUS left very clear, saying: "out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, false witness, blasphemies, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts: These are the things which defile a man- Matthew 15:19-20

1 Corinthians 6:2-3

2 Do ye not know that the saints shall Judge the world?

3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? (angels of the Churches)

The Word is GOD, self-executing.

Oseas , please forgive my intrusion . I have no idea where this conflict between you and Ronald has come from but it's genuinely distressing me . I love Ronald , have been reading his posts for a few years now . You are relatively new on here so as much as I very much enjoy your posts , most of the time , I don't have as much affection for you as for him . I think he has tried a few times now to end this conflict with you by saying he doesn't want to talk to you any more . Why can't you respect that and stop posting unpleasant remarks to him ? You are only degrading yourself when you do that , can't you see that ? I have no wish to read your unpleasant posts to him and I'm sure no one else enjoys them and I'm sure Ronald isn't reading them either . You are wasting your time and energy and making yourself look like a nasty person in the process . We are all Christians on here and most of the regular posters are well versed in the Bible . For your own sake , think about what you are doing , only to yourself , not to Ronald . Christ is with us on this site . He hears all and knows our hearts . Please , consider . With affection and respect to you .

Jema, I'm so glad with your kind reply, thank you brother/sister(?), your nickname doesn't reveal it).

However, I think I was misunderstood face my defense of the accusations saying I feel myself superior, and I bellit GOD's people by heavy and not soft Judgments, as many examples of Judgment recorded in the Word of GOD. In fact, the Word is GOD and Judges us, He weigheth the spirits in the balances- Proverbs 16:2 & Daniel 5:27.

By the way, "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the Truth;

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part"- 1Corinthians 13:4-9).

In the other hand, what does the Word of GOD say? Hebrews 12:3-4&6-9

3 Consider Him that endured contradictions of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening, GOD dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

GOD bless

You seem to have had a good wake up call and I'm so glad for you . Despite no evidence of this , many people still believe that we go to heaven or hell after we physically die . I am not one of those people . I believe that we will remain dead until Christ returns and ressurects and judges us . Stick to your Bible , put in the time and effort with it so you really know what it does and doesn't say , it's good to come on here but make sure that you read your Bible much more than you read this site :) . May God bless your efforts to draw closer to Him .