Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 457

MY comment is between verses 1 & 2, what happened that God had to say let there be when He already made heaven and Earth? Was there a catastrophic event that had occurred for God to hover over the deep?

Yes, S. Spencer.

I continue to be prayerful for those on here. We all have ways we need to grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

And it is true that there are differing views about many topics within the realm of Christian thought, but most of these do not veer outside of what could be considered common Biblical thought.

Others do veer off into the "woods", so to speak, and speak as though God has just now revealed these "truths" to him/her specifically, contrary to conventional Biblical hermeneutics over the centuries.

I can respect upholding each person's having the opportunity to speak their minds on these things on this forum, as in any others. But, as you said, there is no repentance, nor even a "stop and re-think" a viewpoint upon considering what someone else has sincerely addressed on the topic posted on.

For me, the viewpoint that deifies man is contrary to so much Scripture that speaks to God alone possessing divinity and not giving this nature to anyone created. Also, I consider the view that deifies man is also a form of idolatry. These are reasons for us to speak up about such a view.

And, as you noted, if one states that all are saved no matter if they believe in God and trust in Jesus or not, then why do we even care what anyone says, does, or believes if in the end there is not favor for believers and wrath for unbelievers. This belief makes God out to be a liar, which I think is a grave sin, too.

I think that the admin having us sign in under one screen name only is a very good idea. This way no one can post under one name and respond back under another name to bolster their claim to "truth". Sad to think that some even think to do that.

May God, through the Holy Spirit, teach and strengthen all of us in the one true faith passed down from the apostles through the centuries by the preservation and power of God.

There is much said about the marriage relationship.

Confiding in another can be varied from another seeking opinions: Proverbs 15:22, Proverbs 11:14, which is wisdom, or "confiding in", do you mean adultery? Which is defined as clearly wrong.

Ephesians 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it:''

If you're suspecting evil pray for wisdom James 1:5,

Hopefully these are helpful

Hi Clifford Gunter,

I've read Ecclesiasticus 32:1-4 as political, practical today. Yes I think you could reference toward any meetings. It's always amazing to me how GOD's Word is teaching & moving hearts & our thoughts with practical useful information today even though written many ages before.

James 1:5, 2Timothy 3:16,

1John 4:18, Revelation 21:6-8, 1John 4:1-3,

Do you believe John 3:16 ? Do you believe GOD can heal? Do you believe GOD can change everything? Do you believe man who spoke those words over you, or GOD ALMIGHTY that created you!? Be Healed be delivered

Trust GOD

James 1:5, Romans 10:17, James 4:7, Luke 11:9-13,

Nick 34, You're saying only when you pray or read the Bible; the scripture says pray without ceasing 1Thessalonians 5:17. Lay the word on your heart & in your soul, bind on your hand, in front of your eyes, to talk about them often, with your children when sitting, walking along, when laying down, the WORD of GOD, Deuteronomy 11:18-20, Psalms 119:11,

Is it a spiritual attack to keep you from reading, praying & learning of a Loving Creator our Loving Father in Heaven? Or is it the HOLY Spirit bringing conviction of sin? If it's not peace that is present, your relationship needs work, possibly. Even Isaiah a Prophet of GOD, had to repent to be close to GOD's presence: Isaiah 1:6, These should be helpful

Amen! I am happy and blessed because of Jesus Christ our Savior. Can someone please tell me the scripture where the Sabbath was changed from Saturday to Sunday?

You're welcome, Gigi.

We expect Christians to have differences in viewpoints, were only human forever growing in the grace of God, at least we have a common ground and can learn from one another, but when someone denies what is plainly written to form a doctrine by spiritualizing ALL the text to fit their viewpoint, there is seriously something wrong! Especially when the climax of their doctrine deities man to become Gods!

When you see someone hold to such views with no repentance or conviction you begin not to look at the individual but the source behind it.

We find this type of pride in Isaiah 14:12-14. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH.

Satan also attacks the word of God as seen here in Genesis 3:4-5. And the serpent said unto the woman, YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE:

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, "AND YE SHALL BE AS gods", knowing good and evil.

WHAT IS THE POINT IN KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL IF EVIL DOES YOU NO HARM?

LET'S NOT FORGET THIS VIEW THAT IS BEING OFFERED IS NOT SAYING THAT ONLY THOSE WHO GO TO HEAVEN BECOME GODS. THIS VIEW HES PRESENTING IS SAYING ALL MAN KIND IS GOING TO BECOME GODS. THE RIGHTEOUS WHO FOLLOW CHRIST AND THE UNRIGHTEOUS.

Hopefully were not worried about many following that view but what is alarming is one misrepresenting the word of God as something you can't understand literally and the Holyspirit has no role in a believer's life.

GBU.

Thank you so much for the prayer. I actually did like a walk to a secluded area near where I live and just let go and let God. The weather was good and it helped. I have a question on what do you mean by filth?

Fortunately God gave us this test to determine if spirits (including voices) are from God or not:

1 John 4:1-3

Also God says do not fear the enemy/satan. He holds no power over us:

Matthew 10:28

He can only tempt, but we can resist and he will flee. We always have a way out if we look for it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

So, you do not need to worry or have any fear about these. If you rebuke the evil spirits in the name of Jesus they will go away.

Matthew 4:10

Mark 9:28-29 Prayer

I am praying for you now. God bless you in the name of Jesus. I would do absolutely everything to dedicate your life to following Jesus, including fasting, reading the word, prayer, praise. Get rid of any filth you can and replace it with God's purity. Don't hang on to any of it. End times are near. Also, watch out for false prophets. They may lurk anywhere, even in this forum. Rely on God's truth, not on man's itching ears who love to spread lies from satan.

Part 1

Hello Jacqui

You won't mind if I join in as well, will you? You said that all that that the Bible writes about the end times have always occured in the world. This seems to be right and it is what I was always considering too. But nowadays some things become a bit clearer. Wars have always occured in the world, But World Wars like the ones of the previous centuary have never occured, not in that extremity. Rumours of war? I live in Greece. I was always thinking that wars, at least in (the long-suffering) Europe was a past thing that we'll never see in the future, war was a forgotten word during the last 2-3 generations. Peace and a continuous prosperity was the normality of our lives. But since then we have seen wars in ex-Yugoslavia in the 90's and now in Ukraine. (also in our close neighbourhood like in Libya, Syria, Irak, Iran, Afganistan etc etc). People like us that used to live a normal life, going to their jobs daily, raising up their kids, building their houses are now lined up and get executed with no mercy like animals, like it was done by the Nazzis 70 years ago. And we all have bad neighbours as well. Those tremendous European social security systems that were built after WW2 are now more or less falling apart almost everywhere and people are driven again to poverty. Thousands and thousands of people from Africa and the East are desperate to come to Europe to manage to live a normal life far away from wars, hunger, dictatorships political and religious. The stability that occured some decades ago when the world was divided between America and the Soviet Union has gone away and many players have come to the game since, like China and others who aren't at all that nice to people. And who knows what comes next. And in the modern world we are living in, something that happens here goes very fast to the other side of the ocean, like the pandemic.

Part 2

The Bible mentions physical distructions like earthquakes etc. I used to think like you, they were always occuring in the world. But in the last decade we live in a climate crisis and extreme phenomena are occuring more and more often. Even in my country where those things were foreign, we now see them happening more and more often and get more severe, things that only in TV we used to see them happening in other parts of the world. And things get worse and worse every year.

The Bible says about the mark of the beast. That if someone doesn't have it on them they can not buy or sell. Could that happen in the past? No, it couldn't. If you had money or gold in your hands nobody could hinder you from buying or selling anything. But in a cashless economy this can not be done, and this is where humanity is heading to. Money is going to be just a number on a bank account paper or on your mobile's screen and if you do not get the mark then you will not have access to your e-money.

The Bible says about the last Kingdom on earth that will conquer all the world. Question. Could that happen in the past when all those new technology distruction weapons had not existed yet? All past empires were local, in a corner of the world. With swords and rifles one can not conquer the whole world. But with satelites and missiles and what else has and will be invented one can do it.

In the past nobody could check where somebody else is. Now they can know where you are, what you read, what your interests/hobbies are, what your beliefs are, what you look like, what you eat, who your friends are, everything about you. And I am wondering about all those people that say that they will escape the system of antichrist, going to mountains and desserts. Really? Everything will be under antichrist's control at that time.

The day of Christ, the rapture of the saints is close. In Matthew 24:34 it says that all those things will occur before that generation passes away, our generation I believe.

I'm so happy to have found this Bible site!

I read daily where ever I may be there is God.

The Bible, The Word of GOD, is the

most Wonderful uplifting book ever written.

Zechariah 14 : 9 , And the LORD shall be king over all the earth : in that day there shall be one LORD , and his name one .

Psalm 55 : 23 . I also believe that hell is the grave / pit / death / destruction etc . There are dozens upon dozens of references throughout the Bible that indicate this to be true . Honestly , it makes me sad , all these fables . However , God is extremely merciful . It distresses me that some of us are viewed as enemies because of what we believe . I'm a very tolerant person and certainly don't view anyone as my enemy just because they don't believe exactly the same things as I do . When Christ returns we shall all know all things and there won't be any division or need for disputes between any of us . We shall all see clearly and be one , all in all forever . Happy days to come .

Well said, S. Spencer. These "crafty" semantics, vague answers, and name changes are detectable to many here. Yet, the false beliefs that are espoused and expounded upon are so damaging. It is good that we call out a warning as well as exposing what is not in keeping with the Truth. Thank you.

I have a question about hearing voices when you read the bible. I suffer from a mental illness, Sqitzopherniam and I hear voices that sound like someone whispering in my ear, or sound more like the remnants of my thoughts. I have these when I am reading the Bible, or if I am praying. And when I hear them, they scare me because I don't know if they are from God or someone, something, or the enemy. But if i hear the enemy thoughts and I told the enemy to flea from me. Wouldn't that make the voices go away? Because it doesn't and I trying to be mediating with prayer and i am hearing this while i pray is concerning me. Please help

Hi Earl,

To clarify, you wrote "BUT his words are a parable, because he said they were a parable."

Do you believe all of Jesus's words are parables? If so, then when Jesus said He was speaking in parables that also would be a parable, right? It would seem strange to believe 99.9% of what Jesus says is a figurative parable, except only one verse or phrase where He says He's speaking in parables, correct? For example Mark 4:11 is literal?

To me its evident when Jesus or anyone else in the Bible is speaking literally, telling a story, using a figure of speech, metaphor, simile, just as its usually evident when conversing with anyone else in person.

"Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" John 9:35 KJV

Jesus said He's the Son of God, do you believe he was being literal or telling a parable when He said that?

"Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?" Luke 22:48 KJV

Another literal quote from Jesus which do you believe is literal that Judas did in fact betray Him with a kiss, or do you believe this is also a parable?

Do you believe Jesus is Lord as it says in Colossians 2:6-9 and the Mighty God as it says in Isaiah 9:6?

God bless

Jude 1:1-51.

Something to watch for is Jude 1:4. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

This was going on in Jude's day and have certainly excelled in our day. " For there are certain men crept in unawares".

How do they creep in? craftiness? PERHAPS MULTIPLE NAME CHANGES. What is their purpose? Hender the spiritual growth of the believer by their false doctrine?

They seem to agree with you on topics such as the trinity and other topics "even though they give an unorthodox description of it once examined closely".

They come in all shapes form and fashions.

Let's deal with those who Spiritualizes ALL the scripture and in doing so these particular views devalue the blood shed on the cross and the love God displayed in offering his beloved son. ( John 3:16.)

Also, John 15:13. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

This means nothing if there are no consequences to "NOT' receiving Christ, if there is no hell and everyone goes to heaven no matter what you have done in this lifetime! "This is according to their doctrine"

HOW IS THE LOVE OF GOD DISPLAYED ON THE CROSS IF IT WAS UNNECESSARY? Judas, Hitler, Putin, Murderers, Thieves, etc., etc. gets in Heaven anyway!

This particular person also holds the view that we all become as Gods with their incorrect spiritualizing of the text.

WHY IS THIS MESSAGE SO IMPORTANT TO THEM IF THERE IS NO HELL AND THE CROSS DOSENT MATTER?

WHY EVEN BOTHER?

WHERE IS THE VALUE IN FAITH, LOVE, ECT. WORKS, BELIEVING, OBEYING, IN THIS DOCTRINE?

WHATS THE POINT IN SHARING SCRIPTURE?

It's also interesting to see some support a view without understanding it or holding the same viewpoints. The only thing they have in common is multiple name changes.

GB

Hi Earl,

While you didn't directly address the questions, your chosen response indicates you might believe the New Testament isn't literal and are just parables to you, is that correct? You quoted the old testament suggesting that you might think that's literal, however. Do you mind sharing how you came to this belief?

For the benefit of anyone else reading this there are plenty of verses in the Bible about the literal hell:

Luke 12:5 - But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Matthew 5:22 - But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Revelation 14:11 - And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

2 Thessalonians 1:9 - Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Matthew 13:50 - And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Mark 9:43-48 - And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

Matthew 25:46 - And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

etc

Do you believe Jesus literally is Lord and literally died on the cross for you?

one of my Favs in the Bible

I just realized something . This is the clearest "before and after" the scripture gets for me , on us gathering back to Christ and who comes when. When I read 2 Thess 2:1,2,3,4 again it shows me the antichrist comes before our gathering back unto Jesus, sits on the throne and claims to be God, Jesus . That's how the falling away happens first before our gathering back, many change their religion in an instant. Wow

Thanks Earl, I never broke this chapter down in such a way

Hello . I hope it's ok for me to join in . There are very many references in the Bible , to the effect that the wicked are destroyed / perished etc . This seems to fit with the wages of sin being death and the gift of God being everlasting life through Christ our willing sacrifice for our sins . God pronounced the sentence of death / destruction , on humans because we sin , but because He does love us , He has given us means to continue living , with Him , forever in His Kingdom , through our Passover Lamb Jesus Christ the Righteous . These are my beliefs . I can give you lots of references to the destruction of sinners if you are interested but I'm guessing that you have read the Bible so I won't be telling you anything that you don't already know . I hope you don't mind me butting in and you don't have to answer me .

It seems to me , as I have spoken to many brothers and sisters , throughout my life , who were very much older than me , that every Christian has believed that they were living in the last days . Thirty years ago and elderly brother told me all the things that were going on in the world , when he was a young man , that made Christians at that time think that they were living in the last days . Wars and rumours of wars ? When has that ever not been the case ? I think that the day of Christ's return is as close to all of us as the day of our death . I believe that we die and then sleep in the grave until Christ wakes us up to be with him . So , after we die the next thing that we will be aware of is our Saviour , calling us to himself . Of course , there will be many people alive , Christians and non , when Christ returns , it would be nice to be one of them but it doesn't matter too much to me either way . I just want to be with him in God's Kingdom forever .

Hi Earl,

I'm sure you are 100% confident of your beliefs. I'm sure you know that most Christians believe in hell because hell is mentioned in the Bible. I'm sure you've already heard the Bible verses and interpretations of those, so I will keep my comment short. Because you are commenting on a public forum its assumed that you are willing to receive a reply from the public.

I'm curious about the belief of not believing in hell or how someone can read the same Bible and reach that conclusion. If this were true that no one goes there then why would hell exist in the first place, why did Jesus warn us about it like Mark 9:43-48, and what then would the purpose be for becoming a Christian or spreading the gospel?

If everyone is saved regardless of our beliefs or actions, then despite Hebrews 10:26-31 do you think God would be ok with everyone to go out tonight to induldge in the evils of this world and intentionally commit every kind of sin against God imagineable?

Thank you for sharing your beliefs...

HI Ducan.

I agree the apostacy has already started.

However when Christ comes the second time he will come in judgement, He didn't come as the Holyghost as some suggest.

Matthew 24:15. hasn't happened yet.

"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

Neither has Matthew 24:27-31.

For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. "The elect here I believe is Israel" Isaiah 45:4. Isaiah 11:12. Jeremiah 23:3. Psalms 107:2-3.

The Holyspirit was always in the world, but believers weren't baptized by the spirit until AFTER Christ was risen from the dead.

But the second coming of Christ reads like this.

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."

Matthew 24:36-44.

There is some amongst us who believes there is no Hell and we all will be saved and become Gods!!

This is the climax of their theology.

GB.

Dear Lat,

Our emotions are given to use to be responsive to what happens in our daily lives. They are meant to help us. But we can use them in sinful ways. We need to gain wisdom to know when we are sinning with our emotions and learn what they feel like when we use them to God's glory. We can certainly pray for this wisdom, especially praying for the fruits of the Spirit as stated in Galatians, which are characteristics of a believer led by the Holy Spirit instead of the sinful nature. One who is led by the Spirit will still feel all of the emotions God has created in us, but this person will hold their emotions in check and resisting the urge to sin when we feel emotions strongly or use our emotions to manipulate others.

Hello Jude,

In this chapter Jesus had sent his disciples out to preach the gospel of the kingdom and to cast out demons, heal people, and do other signs and wonders. When a youth was brought before Jesus with a demon who terrorized and injured the youth, Jesus cast the demon out with His authority, which the demons must obey.

But the disciples had already tried to cast out the demon from this person and it did not come out. When they asked why this was so, Jesus first replied that it is because of their unbelief but then goes on to say that this type of demon does not come out except through prayer and fasting.

So, perhaps Jesus was saying that one must have faith that the demons will obey the command (as Jesus did) and second, that if a demon does not remove themselves from a person, even when commanded in faith, then one may need to spend time in prayer and fasting to be strengthened spiritually before confronting this demon again. It may have been a more powerful demon than the ones the disciples were able to cast out. Or maybe the disciples needed to learn humility through prayer and fasting so as not to confront such a demon with arrogance and self-will.

Whatever the reason for the prayer and fasting, Jesus was certainly teaching that one who is called to cast out demons should not walk away from the person if the demon does not come out when they first command. The called one is take these additional steps and continue to command the demon to leave until it does. The one called is to have compassion for the one possessed, seeking to bring relief and restoration to the person more than seeking to see a miracle happen. Jesus instructed His disciples to persevere and labor in prayer, denying themselves physical food in order that they will be spiritually submitted to God's strength in them when they feel physically weakened by the discipline of prayer and fasting. This may also indicate that demons are much stronger and more clever than humans.

Some women of the Bible : The books of Esther 1, entire book, Ruth 1, entire book, Judges 4, & 5, Judges 13, Acts 9:36-41, Luke 2:36-38,

Judith,

There are many more throughout the Bible. I hope you will read & study to find many more

God made Man and Woman , Commanded Adam and Eve to go forth and multiply.

God did Make a Circle Rainbow, it's now in half. In the days of Sodom and Gomorrha the Rainbow became a vile spirit and to this day.

The Godly Rainbow is breathtaking. And it's in half. But, satan and his demons have made it the opposite, satan and the demons are losers liars and deceivers , In the Name of Jesus of Nazareth We Commanded all the lies of satan demons To Rebuke you lucifer and your demons Right Now You Get Under My Feet with the Authority of Jesus Christ and I Command you to be gone!

God loves us so much that Jesus became the Holy Word made into the Flesh and Jesus loves us, he's asking each of us, Praying without ceasing asking anything example, Healings, The Red Wave coming represents the Blood of Jesus and God saving our Land USA Israel God is Absolutely Good and God uses His Godly Prophetics, And, Church, there's going to be Faith Based 12 pm Praying service, satan and his demons do not like the Red Wave, nor the 12 noon time.

We take back our Country endowed by Godly led Prayer Warrior's and We Winn the Red Wave.

God loves you

I love you