Bible Questions & Discussion PAGE 433

Leviticus Chapter 11 continued

Our conduct, our temperance, our modesty, our moderation, our restraint of liberty for the sake of others, our pure conversation, our reverence for the name of our Savior, our godly lifestyle, identify us as "peculiar people" who love God and desire to live His way rather than our own way or by the standards of the world.

In a way, the dietary laws of Leviticus would be so much easier than the godly and holy life we are called to in Christ.

Leviticus Chapter 11

This chapter describes the dietary laws given by YHWH to the Israelites. I can't say that I really understand the "why" of God for choosing some animals as being clean and others as unclean. I have read many different explanations, but God really does not give the reason He had for His choices.

Also, this chapter explains YHWH's directives concerning being ceremonially unclean from the uncleanness of animals.

From what I can derive from this chapter, God did want His people to be set apart from the other peoples around them. He wanted them to follow dietary laws that would make it difficult for them to have much participation with other peoples. We, too, are to decisively forgo debasing activities with unbelievers to preserve our witness for Jesus.

I also think that God wanted His people to be obedient to Him without having a clear explanation of "why" from Him. We also, are to be obedient to the lead of the Holy Spirit without that "why" answered.

I also think that these laws must have been for preserving health and avoiding diseases that can pass from animal to man, especially parasitic infections, many being deadly. We, too, are to be feasting on the Word, which brings us health and life. WE can avoid what we hear, see, and do that we know to be evil or depict evil, or pull us away from having the Lord foremost in our minds and hearts.

And lastly, God wanted Israel to be a "peculiar people", not ordinary or blending in with the crowd. These directives would definitely accomplish this for the Israelites. It still does today for observant Jews. As Christians, are we willing to be considered "peculiar" by the world? Are we willing to look decidedly different from unbelievers. Think even about how some believers feel around separatist believers that dress alike such as: Amish, Hutterites, etc. It is easy to be a bit unnerved around this outward display of being "out of the mainstream" even in Christian circles.

John15:5 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

The Lord commanded; If you love me...Keep my Commandments.

In loving the Lord,what does it mean to love?

In continuing the scripture which you have been meditating upon.

38] This is the first and great commandment.

[39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

[40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

It seems like keeping his commandments is the key...to Love your neighbour..

But what does it mean to " keep " his commandments.

Many of the Preachers of this day will say that it is to do, perform, pertain to what the Lord commands.

But I believe it to be something more intimate and sweet.

The Law was our schoolteacher, to show us that we could not and therefore can not fulfill all the law, because our heart is darkened, evil and corrupt with sin.

John 2:24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,

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

Thus I believe "keeping" his commandments it to rather Love his commandments, as loving the Lord.

If we remember what the Gospel of John had stated when the Lord was about to lay down his life for us. He prayed unto the Father that we would abide in him and he in us as he abode within the Father.

Joh 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

John 15:4-5

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

To love him with all your heart, soul and strength is to abide in him...just as you have been the whole week which you thought upon such things...to inhabit the word of God as he inhabits you.

Hello Corliss. In Daniel 1:8-16, we see that Daniel & his three contemporaries refused to eat the food or drink the wine given under the king's order. There was something there, not mentioned to us, that would have 'defiled', or made these men unclean. So, they asked to eat pulse & to drink only water. So, the word 'pulse' is a general word that denotes a wide variety of grains; such as, dry peas, chick peas, beans & lentils. So, essentially a vegetarian diet that wouldn't conflict with what was prescribed for the children of God to eat.

My dear sister in Christ Jesus, thank you!

Meditating on Matthew 22:37

"You shall love the LORD your God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind."

This verse has come to me repeatedly over the past week or so. It is so lovely. I so want to live it out.

I would like to hear from others what they think loving God with all of one's heart means.

or

What loving God with all of one's soul means

or

What loving God with all of one's mind means.

Being the greatest commandments, as Jesus said, I would like to understand it better and learn to live it out better. I appreciate anyone responding. Thanks

Yes , it does . it's spreading the word of God .

Hi Giannis,

That's ok if you perceive the idea of God creating other intelligent life as being inconsistent with Genesis. It does seem from Genesis that its focused on just earth and heavens. Whether the heavens means the entire universe (everything God created) I don't know. So, I understand your viewpoint because I felt the same way. I don't have the same stumbling block as what you're presenting though in regards to multiple saviors and how that seems improbable. It's a strange idea indeed. But if there's evidence of other life it no longer seems as improbable.

There already have been alien-type creatures on earth before- remember the Giants the Bible talks about. Some call them nephilim Genesis 6:4. A possible hybrid of either demons or angels coming to earth and reproducing. They weren't 100% human, and one could say they're in a sense from another world and basically an alien-being to us. So, did Jesus die for them too? Did Jesus die for angels already in heaven?

Not sure if you're aware of the large unexplained crop circles in south America or not. It would be incorrect to say there's no evidence of such phenomenon.

If there's evidence that God created more intelligent life besides human beings then I can accept and don't feel threatened by that- I don't see that changing my Christian walk or values. I think humans are only allowed to see and comprehend a very narrow sliver of God and His creation. Colossians 2:2-3. There is a lot more than we understand. So, in heaven I think we'll be blown away to see a fuller view of His power and glory and what He's done. God bless.

Hi Adam. I took the time (over two sessions) to listen to that interview with three persons participating. I offer my impressions on the interview itself & not the biblical ramifications from it.

I intently focused on Bob Lazar to ascertain where he's coming from with this: i.e. whether factual or delusional. From the beginning, he had a nasty migraine which caused him to pause several times & unable to collect his thoughts, needing help & prompting. There were in total nine craft of various descriptions that the US Govt had unearthed over an unspecified period or location. Bob was strongly chastised for touching a craft during his walk to the one he was to analyse, but was free to move around & touch the appointed one.

When he was asked to come & give his expertise on propulsion systems, he was sworn to secrecy about the whole program. This led to the breakdown of his marriage as his wife assumed he was playing around because of the odd hours that he was called out. Even with the clear orders to not speak about this program, he had the gall to invite people over to the testing area to view the capabilities of the craft in the air on a clear Wednesday evening. And finally, in response to his misdemeanor, the authorities simply removed his personal records without other more important & extensive legal action against him.

I'm sorry, I felt that this man has constructed a story for whatever reasons, as the events I observed from the interview just didn't sit right with me. Maybe, when the day comes that the govt presents this craft to the world & demonstrates its capabilities, more people including myself, could be convinced of it and of Bob.

Hi Dgjot. I understand your sentiments on this matter. My own salvation testimony rests, not primarily on God's Love for me but on the volume of my sins that greatly offended God & my deserved punishment as a result. After realising this, I then understood God's Love for me in the Person of Jesus Christ His Son.

I believe that the evangelism of the lost, whether they choose to listen to God's Word or not, whether they're antagonistic towards me or not, needs to continue because both God's Love & God's fury needs to be told. "How shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans:10:14). Yes, I agree many have heard & many have rejected God's gracious offer to them but we aren't privy to those appointed to the Kingdom to whom the Word of God must come, and those who will refuse. Otherwise, the apostles could have easily saved themselves great hardship & persecution by just having a table in the town centre & wait for interested people to come for a 'friendly' chat.

That people are going into a Christ-less eternity & our passion for lost souls must drive the Spirit-filled believer into action, should be our motivation. Now, how & when we share this life-saving, life-giving news will be by the promptings of the Holy Spirit to each person. If God hasn't drawn the curtains of His Grace on this World yet, we must know that the work of evangelizing the lost must continue - that more wretched sin-filled souls need redemption & the chance of eternal life. And of course, the personal joy of sharing the Gospel to those inclined to listen, is a great blessing. If there's "joy in the presence of the angels of God when a sinner repents", how blessed it is to be a partner in this great work that all of Heaven is focused on, with the Lamb of God still with the marks of His agony on Him, enthroned before them.

1 Peter 4:17. part 2.

Now Peter is not talking about judgment as far as salvation goes and I am not getting into that here!

But I would like to draw our attention to a few verses.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15. Now if any man build upon this foundation GOLD, SILVER, PRECIOUS STONES, WOOD, HAY, STUBBLE;

EVERY MAN'S WORK SHALL BE MADE MANIFEST: FOR THE DAY SHALL DECLARE IT, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Revelation 3:17-18. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

I COUNSEL THEE TO BUY OF ME GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

LAODICEANS.

Revelation 3:14-20.

This seems to be a prideful group!

"I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;"

( They were spiritually bankrupted and didn't know it.)

Look at the position of our Lord.

Behold, I STAND AT THE DOOR, AND KNOCK: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20

The Lord is on the outside calling individuals out.

Being wealthy doesn't put them in their wretchedness, it is the pride behind it.

This type of pride can come by all forms of work of our own hands when void of the Spirit.

The local Church today covets bodies more than they do truth.

Individually we covet Gods glory more than fruit barring.

The door here is a picture of the human heart.

If Christ is not in it our works is wood hay and stubble.

1 Corinthians 3:16-21.

More to come

God bless.

Oops sorry Dgjot, used the wrong name to address you. Forgive me.

Great post, Jesse!

Hello Giannis and Adam. This is an interesting conversation.

I just wish to introduce this thought. Genesis 1 tells somethings about creation, but not all. It does not tell us about God creating the angels and heavenly hosts. It does not tell us how He formed the earth or set it into orbit or spinning. We discovered some of these things in other places in Scripture (that angels exist) and also through science (concerning the rotation and orbit of the sun and relationships of other planets, moons, stars, suns, galaxies, etc.) And we are not told exactly how the end will come, the day nor hour. The Scripture does not lay out a sequential order for the rest of history. Most of the future history is enveloped in apocalyptic language with figurative imagery and allegory.

We can never know all there is to know even about our own earth, humanity, or physical universe, let alone all that the spiritual realm entails. But we can know all that we need to know to love and serve God as believers. Thank God for this. He has revealed this to us in His word, through prophets, and most excellently in the Son, Jesus Christ It is God who has revealed what we know. He wills us to discover things through science and will continue to allow things to be revealed in the way history unfolds until the end.

We are tasked by our Lord and Savior to be wise and to be prepared.

Does placing Bible tracts in various places count??? It's easier to leave a tract somewhere than confront someone face to face.

What food did Daniel eat ?

Pt 1

Hello Adam.

Sorry my intention was not to offend you, I just tried to be funny and hoped that we all enjoy it.

Anyway my opinion still remains that life outside earth doesn't exist. I think God gave an account of the creation in Genesis so that we know exactly what is going on, what happened, how it happened, what exists in heaven and earth, and also gave us an account of all those things that are going to occur in the future till the very end of this creation. His purpose was and is that we know all things so that nobody can persuade us about other things that were and still coming into our ears.

The Bible starts with Genesis (creation) and finishes with the Revelation of how this creation is going to end and new heavens and earth will be created. So let me ask you a question. In The last chapter of Rev God creates a new universe. Assuming that aelien life exists, this means that this universe is going to end for them too, right? So 1. If they have had a Judgement like humans then they have to wait us for the new creation to be made? They are in a somehow waiting place? and 2. In God's new creation as described in Rev no other people than humans are present. So where are they? Where are they located?

Logically speaking now. We know that distances in universe are vast. So If those other people wanted to find us or others then they had to travel for thousands or million years. There is a limit in the speed that any matter can travel in space. This is the velocity of light, which can not be aquired since mass tends to infinity (remember school physics). So assuming that those people somehow aquired the impossible knowledge and technology to reach such speeds, still they have to travel for thousands, millions and billions of years. So sometime in their history they left their houses they went onto a spacecraft and started travelling in the dark universe, they spent their entire lives in this spaceship and then another generation took in charge .

Pt2

That other generation also spent their lives in the darkness and then another.generation took their place and then another ...until some hundred or thousand generations passed by living in darkness on spaceships looking around and they finally found us. So, so many people from so many generations decided to travel and spent/waste their whole lives in darkness searching for the unknown. And now that found us not only they don't jump up and down in joy for that but they still keep secret? And now that found us, will they go back or stay here? If the latter, why they don't introduce themselves to us and make preparations to live here on earth? But it seems they like to be in the shadow. And what do they do all the time? Watching us? I am trying to show you that all that can not be true.

Do you want to know why I think there is so much talking about aliens lately? Well let's see some things. 1. Do you believe in a pretribulation rapture? I do. Let's assume it is right. Then some time all people will start watching people like bright comets leaving earth and going to the sky. Millions of people throughout the whole world. So what do you think the explanation could be? People going suddenly to space? What that might be other that aliens somehow took them. There can't be any other exlpanation. 2. Lets go to the final fight of Armageddon. Jesus with his angels and the saints are coming down to earth. Antichrist gathers His army (this means that Jesus doesn't come momentarily, antichrist has time to gather armies). What do you think antichrist will tell his people. Do you think he is going to tell them that it is God and His saints? In such case nobody would go, nobody dares fighting God. They see some armies coming from the skies. What else than aliens could be. And people will gather to fight Jesus thinking that they would protect their planet from aliens and ... we know the end. So this thing with aliens has started being cooked lately for obvious purposes

Pt3

Also this stands as a "scientific" truth that God doesn't exist and life has been created randomly dispersed in the whole universe. Something like Darwin's fairy tales.

You said they found a spacecraft. Who did? If they are a goverment, these things are kept as top secret. How did that person managed to get away from them? If that was a real incident all news reports all over the world the next morning would be telling about that, but nobody seems to know anyhting about that

Now finally, lets go back to what you said about Jesus sacrificing Himself for them too (an imag. senario). Jesus is God but suffered like a man. He could have used His divine powers and stayed on the cross comfortably like we sit on our coach, but He didn't do that. He suffered a horrible death. Do you thing He could do that again and again and again (who knows how many times)? You may argue His is God, yes but He suffered exaxtly like me and you would do. An experience of mine. Once I was thinking "OK Jesus suffered for 6 hours, well he felt pain but at the end it was just 6 hours, surely I could do it, it is only 6 hours, be a bit patient, 6 hours it is, it will pass. Stupid thoughts. One morning I got up feelling a horrible pain, went to a hospital, it was a stone in the Kidney, it produces a continuous horrible pain. Doctors told me that they weren't going to give me painkillers for 2 hours until some tests were done. I was going crazy, I couldn't stand the pain, I was thinking of jumping from the 2nd floor to end the pain. Every single second, minute was unbearable, time was moving very slow, every minute seemed to be like a centuary. There was no way I could stand that for 2 hours. It was a stone in the Kidney, not a cross. I can not imagine how horribly Jesus felt the pain in His whole body. 6 Hours, and He didnt say a word, never complained. How many times do you think God intented to do that again and again? If I were a God myself i would give it a second thought to repeat it.

GBU

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17.

Often we speak of a revival, sometimes revival seems it is what the church needs rather than the nation. The nation is doing what nations do.

The church is set apart and is to be light to ALL the world/nations.

Here's what I observed, Some seems to minister to draw people to themselves.

They are thinking they are that light and rightfully so. But what is you/light supposed to shine on? Who's in the midst of the candlesticks? Jesus!

Today we see people "But not everyone" shine light upon themselves. ( Notice I didn't say "the light.)

Is that an oil filled light?

Can there be a revival in this way?

I'm sure we can agree on this matter, The question is "DO I DO THIS?" We should ask ourselves.

Here is also what we should ask ourselves.

Does this glorify the Lord?

Am I doing this by the Spirit of God or the lust of the flesh?

Is it the Lords glory I am seeking?

Is this moved by the Spirit?

If Gods spirit resides in you you should know!

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. John 12:31-32.

HOW DOES THE WORLD SEE US?

Boy does this matter!

Acts 2:44-47 ?

John 13:35 ?

Here is just a few things that would hender these 2 verses?

Certainly Leaven and the tares plays a role.

When the world look at us from the outside they see some of their own.

Pride by the work of their own hands.

Materialism.

Racism.

Ect.ect.

We also get along worse than them considering we are supposed to be led by the Spirit.

Jude 1:4

Hebrews 5:12-14.

2 Peter 2:10-15.

This is why everything we do should be what is (caused) by the Holyspirit.

Don't let pride keep you from your purpose and proper place.

"Following Jesus and shining you light on Him!!

Examine ourselves.

God bless.

In Matthew 12:39, Jesus said, "An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:"



So Jesus described the character of this generation. He says that an evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign.



So please be careful if you are a "signs and wonders" seeker. Jesus said that a wicked and an adulterous generation seeks for a sign. It is adultery, it is spiritual adultery!



Did Jesus perform miracles and give signs? Yes. But they were to point to Him. People were not supposed to follow signs, and we are still not supposed to follow them today, but many still do.



We know from 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 that the antichrist, when he comes, that he is going to perform signs and wonders, miracles, and he's going to say that he is god and he's going to deceive many.



I think that people are setting themselves up today, and they are making it easy for themselves to be deceived when the antichrist comes. Some are constantly looking for signs that point to the end time.

We as believers do not need signs. We are told three times in the New Testament that we are to live by faith. ( Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38)

Baker,

I'm a little slow sometimes so you might need to explain that one to me.

You see, I live back in the woods you see

My woman and the kids and the dogs and me!

The Preacher man says it's the end of time and the Mississippi river she's a goin dry

Dear Roman, I never asked for a sign. I did not say that I know a great deal about eschatology. I am learning. Please, I do not need someone like you warning me to get my house in order. If you knew me well, you would speak to me in a different way. have always been a seeker of truth in God's Word, even since childhood. I trust that God is indeed leading me in His truth every step of the way. I am confident in Him that He will bring me to the place He promised to prepare for those who love Him and believe in what He did to save us. We do not need to have a full understanding of eschatology in order to be saved. But it is always good to ask the Lord to give understanding concerning what is in His Word.

v18 If God gave you a truth that could save someones life and you didn't share , his blood will be on your hands . read on , God could allow you to turn from righteousness and put stumbling blocks before you . so it shouldn't matter if the seed didn't take . the seed was planted , it's up to God to germinate and make grow . what matters is you delivered yourself . you are that watchman

Adam, I agree that God can and may have created life elsewhere in this vast universe. He can do whatever He wishes and has done so. I think we may be quite surprised at the diversity of living beings we will encounter in heaven or who may populate hell along with unsaved humans.

Thank you, Cindy, or the update on your sister. I will continue to pray for her.

Well said Sammi.

Yes, Donna, waiting is hard, but we are called to persist in prayer and faith.

God is perfecting us through this waiting and perseverance. And He certainly will answer our prayers in the best way. May your prayers be answered even as soon as today! As I hope that mine will soon be answered, too.

Thanks May, I look forward to hearing from you later. I pray that work goes well for you today.