Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 480

I would never tell you that you are wrong if you truly are unable to attend in person. However, I would encourage you to think about the added benefits of having in-person fellowship with other believers. If you are able to go to church, it is definitely worthy of the effort. There is a special blessing in gathering together with others to sing, pray and share the Word in the same place. There is also the blessing of the interactions you will share there like conversations, smiles, hugs, encouragement and so on that you miss out on when you watch from home. And consider this, that perhaps someone there needs you to be their source of encouragement? Seek out the blessings!

I leave you with a few verses on fellowship.

Ecclesiastes Chapter 4

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Hebrews 10:24, 25

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Dear Olive,

I agree with you that God created energy. It is a force like gravity and governed by natural laws. God's nature is not governed by anything outside of Himself. He is the only Being that is eternally self-existent. He does not derive any aspect of His nature from outside of Himself. But energy is something man God and man can control and manipulate.

Therefore, I do not believe that energy is a divine aspect, but, like matter, was created by God at the creation of the universe.

Isaiah 51 verse 9

What Rahab is this? A person or place?

i wold say that you are right on but we are living souls; and I look at that as living energy as I think that soul, among other things, means energy; bur regardless, we are living souls and we also have a mind where we can choose right from wrong to preserve our living soul. I believe that our living soul is just below the soul of an angel and that when we preserve it; we become angels; and that all babies are little angels until they start to develop their minds and then it depends on what we and they put into it until they are mature at say 30 years or so. Thank you for a wonderful comment. Take care and be save. So far I have avoided COVID

The simple answer is that both concepts hold true. The word "qeber" stands for the body and it's state of sleep i.e. death; so that no more emotions or function of any kind exist after the soul leaves the body. The term "sheol" was the O.T. place where all souls would go after death; now as believers of course we can hold onto the promise "absent from the body present with the Lord."

It would seem prudent to focus on what dying to self through our life in Christ means to us now. "It is not I who live" and "I am crucified with Christ ( Galatians 2:20) begins when we are "Born Again". We now are in a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit; if truly saved. (see Galatians again in chapter 5; verse 17). Christ has placed His seal; a down payment on our souls; and since Christ is eternal so is our life in Him ( Eph. 1:13-14). The "sanctification" process is a constant realization of what remains of our sinful flesh; as to how vile our affections are and the state of our bodies in this present world. Essentially; once we die we come to the end of that struggle.

We can look at it this way; eternal life BEGINS when we are saved; and He works from the inside out transforming us. Satan can be expected through his accusations to work as hard as he can to accuse us; distract us back to worldly thoughts; and to trick us in every way. It is in his best interests to render us helpless; to disarm our heavenly armor ( Eph. 6); to use people and situations as well as our own flaws against us; etc. God "chastises everyone He loves." ( Heb. 12:6). A messenger of Satan was allowed to buffet Paul after his great revelations ( 2 Cor. 12:7). Satan also tempted Christ; as well as influenced Peter. We certainly can expect the same; as God will often use this to bring us to our knees. The enemy of our souls always finds the weakest link and takes advantage of it. We are; however currently "seated in heavenly places." ( Eph. 2:4-6).

Hope this is an encouragement.

The Lord will come whether you believe or don't believe. Halelujah. Your denial will not stop Him, the King of Kings, the Name above all Name, He who sits at the right Hand of the Most Sovereign God, the Great I am. He is Eternal.

Why does Jesus speak in parables? Why doesn't He speak plainly concerning the things concerning salvation. Who is He speaking too?

While serving in the military, certain were chosen to go out on recon mission's, discovering the places of the enemy, determined to find out there size, their weaknesses. Even so those who were involved knew the consequences of revealing those things that concern the welfare of our fellow brother and sisters. That moving upon the enemy would require a grace that would involve warfare , a warfare we would prefer, without firing a shot.

These were the conditions, we found ourselves in.

Provocation almost always would lead into a fight that would leave many hurt, and killed!

The art of warfare is left to those who know! Those who have experienced the effects of such warfare!

Jesus spoke in parables so we might see, and understand in a way that allows freedom according to our faith. Our faith in life, a faith allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and direct into those things that concern the spiritual warfare that is before us. Saving souls from hell and death, that is sure to come upon those who do not believe the things of salvation.

This is in a sense the "recon sense" we need to fight the enemy. The spiritual direction in knowing what to say and when to say it! This is what grace is! The grace we need to fight against the spiritual darkness, who's mission is to destroy the truth concerning Christ and His redemption for mankind!

Parables are Gods way of revealing the truths, while the enemy looks on in dismay! The enemy cannot stand the Holy Spirit, He has no weapon against it! He cannot fight against it, without revealing his position!

Repent and be Baptized

This Psalm has many in depth descriptions of judgment including the final judgment of man.

I would call it more of a "declaratory" Psalm rather than "impreccatory" as it is more of a cause and effect statement of man's state of reaping what they sow. There seems to be no specific enemy of David that is being referred to here.

Verses 3 and 4 remind us of Psalm 23 where "in the presence of my enemies" a table is set before God ( Psalm 23:5). This verse is often lost; it seems in the theme of reassurance that people like to glean here (perhaps an uncomfortable verse for those who don't like to see this side of God's character).

Verses 5 and 6 remind us of Armageddon; as well as other verses such as Isaiah 14:17 on Antichrist. Verses 7 through 12 describe the justice of God's rule such as will be during the Millennium ( Isaiah 11:4). Verse 13 and 14 could also apply in some ways to Christ's suffering to death under His enemies and His return to the eastern gates ( Psalm 24:7); or perhaps the state David felt in constantly facing the threat (but never the actuality) of his enemies killing him.

Verses 15-17 are like many other cross references as well; with the first mention in Psalms of hell (v. 17). It is interesting to note that those nations who "forget God" are also included with the wicked unregenerate in particular. That indites places like the USA who have familiarity with the Gospel but not a "love of the truth." ( 2 Thess. 2:9-12).

The end (verse 18-20) once again show the nations fearing God and the needy "not always forgotten." That surely would indicate a state in the Millennium as even Christ said "the poor you always have with you." ( Matt. 26:11). Even in that verse; Christ takes precedence over all things; as He is the one to overcome and Lord of all. (see again Isaiah 11:4 and many other passages in that book for further insight).

Hello GiGi

Peter also talks about this event in his second letter. ( 2nd Peter 3:10-12)

10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."

When Christ returns, the heavens and the earth will be destroyed after which God will create a new heavens and new earth suited for habitation by Christ and his glorified saints.

This is our hope for the future.

Hi Jag. I don't think we can definitively state what this little book is (as seen in Revelation 10:8-11). My thought is, that when John took this little book, whether it was a real book or if it was a part of his vision he was given, and he ate it up, the result was interesting. It was sweet to the taste (lit. as honey) but became bitter in his stomach.

The words that John would later preach (after he returned from exile in Patmos), would be the wholesome pure words from God to the people, but its message would bring turmoil to many hearts & minds; to some the prophetic Word would be the cause of light, hope & revival to hearts, but to most others, grief & heartache to the many woes & trials in life that lay before them. However, from what we know of John (from other writings), was that he returned to lead a church in Edessa, modern Turkey, but don't know whether his ministry extended from there. But it seems that the prophetic Word would continue in his ministry, though for us, it ends with this Book of the Revelation.

Hello Edna. Numbers 13:27-30 ties in with the rest of this chapter. Briefly, Moses had called in the leaders of each of the twelve tribes (plus Joshua) to go and spy out the land (Canaan) before them prior to them proceeding to conquer it.

So they went out & brought out a dual report. One, that it truly was a "land that floweth with milk and honey" (i.e. a phrase used to denote a very fertile & abundant land), so it was a land that would be very useful for them for their cattle & agriculture. Though secondly, it was also a land that had tall and strong men there, with fortified cities which could easily overpower them. Eleven of those leaders brought in this report & advised that they should not proceed because they would be defeated. But only one amongst them, Caleb of Judah, who also saw what the other men saw, but Caleb also saw his God who had promised them this land & would supernaturally overcome these great & powerful people.

You can read the aftermath of this incident in the next chapter, where both Caleb & Joshua rent their clothes in dismay because of the faithlessness of the people, and the LORD commended Caleb, saying, "But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it" ( Numbers 14:24). I hope this short comment will help you understand what was happening at that time.

We will never completely understand God, But he is not energy, he created it. We will never completely understand how this is possible, but I trust God on this one.

Psalm 8

There is a cross reference with Matthew 21:16 in verse 2 of this Psalm. This surely outwitted the wisdom of man with the Pharisees. This verse would seem to indicate that all children are in the Book of Life until the age of accountability; perhaps by default being in the book of all the living. Ezekiel 18:20 states that the soul who sins will die; and children will not bear blame for parents sins. We are all born into a sin nature; but not all living long enough to understand the meaning of it. Jesus also stated that "unless you are converted and come to me as a little children you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." This involves the following of those who are drawn (such as the immediate response of the first disciples when Christ said "follow me.") This involves TRUST for Christ to provide all needs; so we can realize that He who takes care of the birds of the air will take care of us ( Matthew 6:26).

The animals with the rest of God's creation are mentioned in verses 6-8 here; and man's dominion a little lower than angels (v. 5) yet ruling over the animals and the earth (v.6) gives him a special place.

There are many cares in this world; some of which we are responsible for such as elderly parents; wives/husbands and children. We are to provide for our needs by working. Ultimately; all things are for the Kingdom of God. It is interesting in light of the ministry Christ and the Apostles had through the 1st Century; and how they would preach the Gospel first; and whether lodging in a private house; through the dangers of the sea; or in a jail cell from time to time God preserved them. We see those such as in Phillipians 2:27 who almost worked themselves to death. Clearly; death was the normal end of their lives (except for John who they say survived being boiled in oil according to tradition). Such a focus on looking on Christ and not on this world; and dying to self surely is something to ponder in this nation today.

Thank you, God bless you with the annointing of the understanding of His Word. I will remember you always in my prayers. Please feel free to enlighten all by answering the original question if you wish. Sincerely in Christ

Amen! Jesus is God!

whatis the meaning of numbers 13:27_30

I believe as you say, This is why we recognize His perfect timing in this life and the life to come. The joy however, of those who reject Him in this life not experiencing the revelation of knowing in the here and now of what He has done for us. I am reminded of the story of the rich man and Lazarus, upon which the rich man is asking God to send one from the dead to testify too His family. Gods answer, they have the law and the prophets! If that were enough, why would sending one from the dead convince them anymore than what Christ has already done for us? What is most discouraging however, are that His children are all PHDs. The science of mankind for one reason or another is become the stumbling block in the things that concern faith and the things of God, even eternal Life! How, One cannot be a doctor of science ,without believing in God! In Christ ,Fred

Thank you One-eighty for giving me further explanation and a few verses.

Anthony, well spoken.

Jesus' words in Matthew and in Luke speak of Him returning at the end of the tribulation and then the wrath of God is poured out. Jesus says the tribulation will be cut short or else no one would survive, but it is cut short for the sake of the elect (who are still on the earth). When the wrath of God is poured out the heavens will be shaken causing interstellar disasters in space and the earth will be laid waste. But this happens so that God can re-create a new heaven and a new earth that is free from any corruption.

Hello Giannis, you raise many good points here. My only comment is that if a star were to fall to earth it would destroy the whole earth. Even a big asteroid (which is not a combustion chamber like a star) would most like shatter the earth or knock it off its axis or out of its rotational field.

Thank you David for that Lovely Aaronic blessing.

And these trying times do remind us to consider seriously "how then shall we live?" You have expressed well what should be on our minds as we consider how we will live for our Lord.

Fred, I am so sorry to hear of your uncle's death and his denying Jesus. I think in such a situation we just need to leave our loved one in the hands of a just and loving God. As you say, we do not know what happens at death in person. We do not know how long a person is still able to think after declared dead or how long the soul remains with the body upon being declared dead. When your uncle renounced his faith verbally, we do not know what the Holy Spirit did in His mind and soul when he could no longer speak but was not yet dead. I do think that the Holy Spirit does contend with one's soul at such a time. We, on this side of heaven, just do not know how long after we determine that someone is dead they truly become finally dead. Perhaps a few minutes, perhaps a few hours. We just don't know. But we do know once one is completely dead (and only God knows when that moment truly is, then their final judgment is sealed. My hope for your uncle is that the Holy Spirit ministered to his mind and soul during those last minutes after he denied Jesus and brought him to his senses and to a point of re-affirming his faith. But, that is God's business, not ours. He is able to do what seems impossible for us. How long does it take to pray silently, yes, Lord, I believe, save me. Just a few seconds. I hope this comforts you today.

Donna, I will pray for Noah,

heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, we ask that You bring Noah's treatment to a good end that involves healing and restoration of health to this little body. Boost up his immunities so that he can have this treatment and not have any illnesses related to low immunity. We ask that You clean the air all around him of any viruses and bacteria that could infect him. We ask that only clean germ-free hands touch him. We ask that everyone who attends to Noah does so gently, with compassion, and expertise. Father, this little one needs You so much. Please hear our prayers and answer swiftly. Amen.

Hello Mark, congratulations on such a remarkable name!

Knowing the gospel truths, I am convinced would take more than a life time! If however these truths are lived in, we will say in the end, it is nothing less than the love of Gods word towards man!

Thank you for your earnest honor in the knowledge of these things that come from heaven, things that pertain to life, revealed to us in thee Holy Spirit!

In Christ, Fred

Hello Mark, congratulations on such a remarkable name!

Knowing the gospel truths, I am convinced would take more than a life time! If however these truths are lived in, we will say in the end, it is nothing less than the love of Gods word towards man!

Thank you for your earnest honor in the knowledge of these things that can only come from heaven!

In Christ, Fred

Part 2.

Spencer.

Firstly sorry about a post of mine that seems to have gone really bad, I corrected it and sent it again.

About the millenium. I know that the Eastern Orthodox Church believe that the millenium is not litteral but figurative. They believe it started when Jesus was resurrected and gave authority to the church over devils. So figuratively satan is imprisoned in the bottomless pit. Their explanations are very complicated to bring them on here.

About other theories about the end times I only know what I have read so far here on this post. To be honest I haven't done any research about other churches' beliefs and I do not intend to do so for the time being.

Thanks. God bless you.

Pt 1

Hello Spencer

I think it was you who pointed out in an older post that Jesus' 2nd coming could not be the one described in Matthew 24:31-46 as many claim (since it seems to be a continuation of the revelation Jesus was telling to His disciples at the Temple). The reason is that there is a judgement and the righteous go to Heaven and the wicked to Hell. So who is going to inhabit the earth during the millenium? Good point. So that is not His 2nd coming but it is the Final Judgement after the millenium, the White Throne. If so ers him to appear. Time and date unknown. People are dealing with their everyday lifes as usually, unsuspected for what is coming to the worldthe rapture described in verses 36-44 can not be related to that Judgement whose time and date is known in contrast to the timehe rapture of the saints just before anticrist makes his appearance in the world. The presence of church on earth is what hinders him to appear. Time and date unknown. People are dealing with their everyday lifes as usually, unsuspected for what is coming to the world.

b. The 7 year period that antichrist rules on earth. Tribulation, cataclysmic events, mark of the beast, persecutions and slaughterings, salvation of Israel, etc etc. People are scared to death because of all those events and the ones yet to come. Life on earth becomes litterally a hell.

c. End of those 7 years. Jesus' 2nd coming with the church and His angels and those who were slaughtered during the great tribulation. Fight at Armaggedon. Distruction of antichrist's army.

d. Millenium, Christ and His church rule on earth on the people survived all those events. Satan is sent to the Bottomless Pit.

e. End of millenium. Satan is freed. People revolte against God and get distructed.

f. Resurrection of all people of all times. The Final Judgement/White Throne. The saints also will judge, even fallen angels.

g. New heavens and earth are created. God lives together with His people.

h. Even better things to come...

Now O LORD God let the promise unto David my father be established for thou hast made me king over a peaple like the dust of the earth in multitude

What book is referred to in this chapter. I trust it is The Bible.

When we die will we be with Jesus until He comes back to Rapture the Church . Or will we sleep in the grave until HE reunites body and Soul. Thessalonians seems to be of unite when we die. Corinthians sleep till Jesus comes for Church. Of course, I have wanted to " Be absent from the body present with the Lord." I have lived my life with the desire to be with my Lord. No more years, suffering or pain. Your opinions and Scripture will be appreciated. Janice Wright.