Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 539

RE. Col. 4:16

Laodicea and Colossae were geographically very close communities with only a very short distance separating the two. Paul refers to the Laodicean Church four times in this epistle (2:1; 4:13, 15, & 16). Due to their very close proximity, both churches surely faced the same theological and doctrinal heresies Paul addressed in this epistle such as the beguiling and "enticing words" (2:4) of "philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after CHRIST" (2:8). For this reason, Paul intended the Laodicean Church to read his epistle to the Colossian Church (4:16): "when this epistle is read among you (the Colossian Church), cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans." The warnings, exhortations, and imperatives also apply to churches throughout the New Testament era until The LORD returns.

Paul seems to have written an epistle to the Laodicean Church, of which he also instructed the Colossian Church to read as well (4:16b): " and that ye (the Colossian Church) likewise read the epistle from Laodicea." Paul's epistle to the Laodicean Church is now undiscovered.

Scriptures record Laodicean Church references for the last time in Revelation 1:11 and in 3:14-22 wherein Glorified LORD JESUS CHRIST addressed and rebuked the Laodicean Church for her lukewarmness. Whether Epaphras ( Col. 1:7; 4:12), Nymphas (4:15), and Archippus (4:17) were still ministers of the LORD when CHRIST addressed the Laodicean Church in The Revelation of JESUS CHRIST is conjecture.

Okay,

Jesus was raised a transfigured body i. e. resplendent with a divine brightness.

1 Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood are not able to inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption [decay and ruin] inherit incorruption.

The disciples were told by two Angels ---- so come in like manner, as in, come down the way He went up, (from the Mount of Olives) as in, coming in the cloud, as He, was received by the cloud, visible, unexpected, save by those looking for Him, in the clouds of heaven, and to the same place whence He departed, Zechariah 14-4 .

Jesus didn't ascended on a White Horse, but He returns on one, I guess the two Angels forgot to mention that.

Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him (out of their sight.)

Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Zechariah 4:4 And His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of

Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley [between the northern and southern half of Olivet]; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Which scripture states its the holy spirit that letteth?

I'm not settled on who or what is keeping Satan at bay.

Some theories i've heard,

The holy spirit

The church itself as a whole (seems unlikely to me)

Michael and his angels (see below)

Revelation 12:7-12

King James Version

7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, *NOW* is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Seems like satan stays in heaven and is stuck in heaven until he and his are cast down after the war with michael and his angels in heaven.

In John 17 Jesus prayed to the Father. It is some of my favorite scripture. What is frequently referred to as the Lord's prayer is found in Luke 11:2-4 and Matthew 6:9-13

2 Thessalonians 2:6, "And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time."



And now you know what withholds, and the word withhold is the word restrains, something that holds back.



You know the restraint that he might be revealed in his time. He says there is a restraining force that is keeping the antichrist from being revealed.



He could be on the earth alive right now waiting to be revealed. And this restraining force is keeping him because it's not time.

2 Thessalonians 2:7, "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way."



For the mystery of iniquity is already working: That's in Paul's day.



And right now, whether the person is alive or not, we have the one world system taking shape, and then he'll step right in to the situation.



Only he who now letteth will let, and that's the nice Old English language. It's the same word hinders, or restrains.



He says and he who is restraining, will continue to restrain until it's time for the antichrist to be revealed, until he be taken, that is this restrainer be taken out of the way.



There is much speculation as to what is the restraining force. We know for sure it's God.



Some people believe it's the Spirit of God in the church, that at the rapture when we're removed from the earth, that God's Spirit in the form of His people is gone.



That is true. But as we study through Revelation, we find out that it's the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit himself, whether it's in His people or not in His people, it is the Holy Spirit. God's Spirit will remove the hold, or restraining on the man of sin, and he will be revealed. God's Spirit is the only thing holding this person back. I believe that once God's Spirit is gone from the earth, there will be no more restraint. I'm not sure I would call the rapture a theory. The Bible speaks of it as a real event.

Exodus ch. 31

Continued..

This whole study on the tabernacle reminds me of Ephesians 2:19-22

"Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself, being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows, into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." (NIV)

All of the specifications God gave for the tabernacle are shadows of what God does in the us, as well as after the pattern of the tabernacle in heaven. Can't wait to get there!

Exodus, Chapter 31

In this chapter YHWH informs Moses that He has filled certain Israelites with the Spirit of God enabling them to perform the work of fashioning all of the furnishings for the tabernacle and clothing for the priests and curtains. He names two of them, one from the tribe of Judah and one from the tribe of Dan, but He indicates that He has equipped many Israelites with the skills to perform all of the work proscribed with excellency.

Then YHWH tells Moses that these people, whom He has chosen and sanctified, are to keep the seventh day as a day of rest from work. This relates back to Genesis where it says God rested on the seventh day from His work of creating the heavens, the earth, and all that is to inhabit these places.

He warns the Moses that anyone who does not keep the Sabbath holy will die. He also says that this is a covenant between Himself and the people of Israel forever.

By reading this, I understand that the Sabbath rest is for the Israelites. It isn't part of a covenant with any other peoples. It was not part of the decision of the Jerusalem council in Acts for Gentiles to keep the Sabbath.

It was also true that the early Christians met on the first day of the week to worship because it was the day of Jesus' resurrection. Constantine did not change anything that wasn't already practiced for three centuries.

It is good to know that God will equip us for every work He has prepared for us to do. But even more so, that He has filled us with His Holy Spirit, that we may know Him and be sanctified. The Holy Spirit is preparing us for heaven, changing us from glory to glory to become more and more like Jesus in character, mind, and soul. Wonderful!

LeRoy,

Matthew 6:9-13 gives us the principles of prayer. This is known as the "Lord's Prayer" theologically, but in reality it is called the Disciples Prayer because Jesus is teaching the disciples to pray.



The real Lord's Prayer is found in John Chapter 17 where Jesus prayed in intercession for His people to the Father. That is the real Lord's Prayer. It is His prayer. This is the prayer for the Disciples in Matthew Chapter 6.



There is another version in Luke 11:2-4, but it is a different presentation from what we have in Matthew. In Luke there are no Hebraisms because Luke's Gospel was written to the Gentiles.



For instance the first one is "Our Father, which art in heaven." Luke, even in the oldest manuscripts, it is just "Our Father." There is no phrase, in heaven.



So basically, Jesus again taught the same principles, but one in Jewish form and one in Greek form. And so you can see that it was not used as a formula for reciting, where everybody gets up and says the same prayer all the time every week. It is not a formula prayer!



But there are principles that Jesus laid down to teach us. He says, you want to know how to pray? Here is what you do. And there are three parts. But again, this is not the Lord's Prayer in Matthew. The Lord was not praying. He was teaching the principles of prayer to His disciples.

The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear was a scripture my mother gave me when I was being bullied. It gave me confidence evryday.

were are the different versions of the Lords Prayer found?

Christopher, I apologize for not completely understanding everything that you guys have sent me, could you please give me the short answer yes, or no?

Is there a population left on the earth after Armageddon and after return of the second coming.

Thanks!

Luke,

All of the bloodline of Cain perished in the flood. And there is nothing in Scripture that says that Satan is Cain's father. In Genesis, Adam is said to have known Eve and she conceived and bore Cain. It does not say that Satan knew Eve and she conceived CAin. This serpent seed doctrine is evil and untrue.

Daniel 12:1 admittedly is confusing as it would seem that the time of trouble when His people are raised when considering all the other events beforehand make it seem like the midpoint of the Tribulation. My point was that the 24 elders clearly represent all the saints; and it would make sense that it would be the O.T. and N.T. ones from "all nations". So somehow it is the literal elders as well as all those symbolized by all believers; that was my point; perhaps the original text is worded to make that point clearer than the translation. Whether those who have "fallen asleep" are Resurrected at the same time being part of the church age; or the O.T. saints are raised later on is a mystery to me. I suppose in some sense with the 2 prophets Elijah if not Enoch as well have the final Resurrection at the midpoint as Elijah never died (following the Hebrews 9:27 principal). Just thought of that. The other aspect which you haven't asked me about is my whole view that those in white garments after martyrdom represent believers who are lukewarm and left behind. I suppose that is contentious as well; given my reasoning and scripture as a whole it isn't worth dividing over; but I want to remain faithful to the text. As to the rapture being a reward and not a salvation issue; and how we define the wrath that we as a church aren't going to go through is a complex issue. I say this in all honesty for many now that is the only thing this side of heaven that will cause a real move of God; certainly that is the case for the Tribulation saints there will be a countless multitude. As to whether there is some overlap of the Age of Grace with the Tribulation is a tough subject. Surely; as Psalm 40 seems to implicate; many will see and fear when we are lifted up from the miry clay which could refer to the Rapture; as well as whatever provokes the Jews to jealousy ( Romans 11:14; also see Deut 32:21 I just found that also! Hope these things won't cause too much strife.

Well, Luke,

I know all of those Scriptural references. I just don't think that Jesus was raised a spiritual body. He was raised a physical body, the same one He died in, yet He had the ability to appear and disappear before the disciples, to also be unrecognized by His disciples (on the road to Emmaus). But He ascended in a physical body and the disciples were told that He will return in the same way. Stephen saw heaven opened and Jesus sitting at the right hand of the throne of God the Father. (Stephen recognized Jesus because Jesus is still in a glorified body). He mediates for us before the Father, as a human and as God's Son. Humans were made to have bodies. We have a physical body in this life, and in the resurrection, our bodies will be like Jesus' risen body.

I recognize that we may differ on this. So, I will end my participation in this discussion with you with this post. i am glad you expressed your opinion on this matter, as I have. We shall see in the resurrection how we will be embodied.

Agreed, Giannis. I do know that the Resurrection was celebrated on a Sunday from the first century on. But I am not sure if His death day and the Last Supper were celebrated on Friday and Thursday, respectively. But I have not researched that to know for sure either way. I pray for a teachable heart. I have learned (and unlearned) much over the years as God refines my beliefs with His Word and good teachers.

Based on this chapter Paul was in a trance. "Paradise" is mentioned 3X in the Bible. Jesus Christ said this particular word in Luke 23:43.

Then in Galatians 1:15-17 and Galatians 4:25 Paul went to Arabia where My. Sinai. Does that cross your mind it is just like Moses did. Paul must have seen God and gave Paul the revelation of The Gospel of Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. That was a very different level of understanding (How Jesus died for our sins) VS what the 11 apostles are telling people who Jesus Christ whom the Jews crucified). That is why Pauls's epistles emphasized on trusting the blood as a propitiation as he wrote more about the grace, justification, wisdom, faith, sanctification, redemption, atonement, Charity, mysteries that God may have revealed to him. I am so happy that God gave me the ability and I think it applies to all of us to think and be serious in understanding Jesus Gospel to the Gentiles.

I am not a Jew, so some messages only applies to the Jewish people in the last days. 2 Timothy 2:15

Although there are some Jewish people who can be saved today, but God loves Israel who knows already and will know the King of Heaven and earth Jesus Christ today and/or later. They will be saved if they understand the message of God from their fathers when Moses brought them out of the land of Egypt until today. That is why we Gentiles need to be United to help them all.

Some of you may not understand yet, but most already are on the same page. There is no religion, nor denominations can compete to the people who has the power of God. You know who you are.

We continue to pray because we want as many people to attend the wedding ceremony in Heaven.

The only thing I do not like about this site was there are pagan books in it.

Revelation 2:7

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Hi Richard.

If half of the elders are from Old Testament and they are represantatives of saved people in the OT times, then this means that OT saints will take part in the rapture as well There is a debate about that (Verses Rev 5:9-10 do not hide anyhting in greek). One question though. When you say whole church do you mean people from OT as well? Because I think when we say church we mean the NT saints only. GBU

Thanks GiGi, I absolutely agree with you about everything you said. You are right. Christianity wasn't "invented" in the 1600's. It was there for almost 1500 years.

I will not stay any more on the topic of the date of Jesus' crucifixion. There are some explanations that could be right But I will stay on the tranditional belief mainly because I find it very hard to believe that the early church who started celebrating Easter just 70 yeas after Jesus' crucifixion were wrong. And through the centuaries nobody really debated that date. So... what am I supposed to say?

A thing I would like to point out is that today we read the Bible in our language as if it was written in it. And we forget that different languages often use different expressions for the same thing, like today we say "two or more", but Jews at that time used to say "two or three", and if the translation is word by word we often need somebody to explain things. Also often people who speak a language find it difficult to understand old writtings not only because many words are not used any more but expressions may have changed as well, we say it in a different way now, this happens in greek as well. Another thing is that the NT with the exception of Luke who was greek was written by Jews, and they often say in greek what they would have said in Hebrew but in greek it may be confusing, and further on in English as well. Also people at that time used many allegories, metaphors, parables, (some writtings like Job and Song of Solomon are poems in Hebrew) whereas today we tend to be very precise in what we say. This is why we need pastors, teachers, scholars, theologists, historians to explain some things. I dont say this happens always.That is why personally I use many different Bibles if I am not sure of what something means. So I recommend people here on this site not to always trust their own perception of the Word of God but listen to others as well (this includes me), and read. Read.

God Blessings

The book of Enoch has a piece existing in the Book of Jude; as well as the narrative about his life in Genesis. There are other things which involve records of kings that are mentioned.

It is interesting to consider even Paul mentioning at the temple for the "unknown god" the pagan writings talking of God being near to all of us ( Acts 17:28); as well as the Cretian poem talking about their own people being gluttons and other unpleasant attributes as being true testimony in that respect ( Titus 1:12).

As historical literature from that period of time between the O.T. and N.T. we can glean some events such as the Maccabees account of what the Jews did resisting Antiochus Epiphanes that Daniel prophesied about along who would have similar traits to the final Antichrist. Thus; earlier Bibles included such texts for historical but not spiritual application that were of the Protestant mindset; the Catholic church itself states in their own commentaries that certain things are stories and not based on fact. Even with the best literature we find grievous errors such as praying for the dead (necromancy) that is forbidden in the rest of scripture. There are spurious accounts of Christ as well after the Resurrection that are not doctrinally sound. What we do find of accuracy is basically a repetition of the 66 books of the Bible in certain passages; such as can be found as well in Islam and other writings. There is lacking a "thus saith the Lord" or any prophetic statement with clear fulfillment either at that time or in the future.

GIGI.

I know, but that was Jesus in a transfigured body, He had not yet ascended; He was saying to the disciples a celestial/spiritual body has not flesh and Bones, as they see Him. ------ (in a transfigured one)

It wouldn't have the same effect on the disciples if He were in a spiritual body.

LUKE 24:39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have."

I. CORINTHIANS 15:42 So is the resurrection of the dead also [with a different body].. It is sown in corruption [decay and ruin]; it is raised in incorruption [unending existence]:

I. CORINTHIANS 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness [sickness]; it is raised in power:

I. CORINTHIANS 15:44 It is sown a natural [animal life] body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

***To those wondering about rapture theory. Read below. I added emphasis in all caps and asterisks ***

2 Thessalonians 2

King James Version

1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, ***nor by letter as from us***, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

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.

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

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.

Consider verse 6

This chapter shows the abrupt shift in setting based on things that "must be hereafter" according to verse 1. John was taken up in the spirit (verse 2) to observe the throne; who sat on the throne; the 24 elders; and the sevenfold or seven Spirits of God (seven lamps of fire) burning before the throne. This would indicate the church raptured; and likely the 12 Apostles and 12 elders from the O.T. who were the sons of Abraham.

The four beasts before the throne show the continuing narrative in Ezekiel 1:5. These were and are still continually praising the Lord. The elders once again appear in verse 10 casting their crowns down and giving praise to God's attributes.

When we get to chapter 5; we see that the elders discuss being redeemed from every tribe tongue and nation (verse 9 and 10). So it would seem that they are representative of the whole church; or else a larger group was also included in the text and the way it is translated seems to hide it. I have heard that analogy; in any case clearly the reference to "kings and priests" such as represented in 1 Peter 2:9 and other scriptures makes it clear the whole victorious raptured group of saints from the church age are meant here. Other scriptures; however mention the warning of losing reward ( Rev. 3:11); and indicate crowns are rewards for specific things. Those who are raptured will recieve a crown for those eagerly looking forward to that Day ( 2 Tim. 4:8). Certainly; however those who make it in as through the fire ( 1 Cor. 3:15) will suffer loss; and many may not have crowns or be kings and priests during the Millennium. Those who have more fruit have bigger reward ( Luke 19:17-19); and some who hide their "talents" will lose even what they thought they had ( Luke 19:24). A similar parable shows that servant being cast into outer darkness; either the Tribulation or hell.

So we can barely enter heaven; or be a tare if not investing what He gave us and producing fruit. Food for thought!

Hey that's pretty cool, interesting read,,, I got a sea monster in my brain.

Makes one think about how God connects to His Election in that (hour) where they are all of one mind in Acts 2, in the day of Pentecost being fulfilled.

Frankly I've never made that connection, and much is deception of the mind to deceive, e.g Trumpets, Plague's ... are deception's of the mind.

Well spoken GiGi. thank you, GBU

Giannis

part 2

because the centuries long teaching that He died on a Friday and rose on a Sunday does not equate to three days and three nights in the tomb, as Jesus says explicitly in Matthew 12:40. The Friday to Sunday can be viewed as three days, but not three nights.

But as you say, we do need to think kindly of other believers who may not be from our own religious tradition and refrain from speaking of them as being unsaved, evil, deceiving, or fake. Only God truly knows the heart and mind of each believer. He knows if someone is truly in the faith and who is truly a heretic and outside of the true faith. He will help all who ask come to Him humbly asking for guidance and knowledge of true doctrine. He will supply the teaching and the influence from the Word or from a teacher/mentor He sends into someone's life, or leads one to a site on the internet that teaches sound doctrine, or to books/writings from history (long ago or in recent centuries) that will shed light on the doctrine one is seeking to learn more clearly. He is faithful and brings truth and answers to those who seek Him with a pure heart who loves the truth AND the brethren-past and present.

So, thanks Giannis for pointing this tendency out that is becoming more and more common in this generation of believers (those who resist learning from others (past and present) and who bad-mouth those who do not agree with their own private interpretation of a doctrine of our faith-those who despise doctrine (even the word) and tradition (even the word). I think that many of these people do not know how to distinguish between what Jesus was talking about as "traditions of men" and traditional doctrines of our faith passed down through the centuries, thinking anything that is older than this present "age" (last 100 years must be wrong because it is now a "traditional" teaching-therefore the tradition of man. But I believe that this thinking is both wrong and dangerous to those who hold to it. So I pray.

I believe the books of the Apocrypha are called pagan to discourage people from reading them. The writing style of much of the Apocrypha is similar to the Old Testament and the style in which Jesus spoke: straight forward and powerful

V 19-31

There are many emphasis on these verses:

1st Jesus is talking to covetous Pharisees. Jesus already knows their hearts. We have modern Pharisees today.

2nd A beggar in v20 & 21 is desiring to be fed, I think by using the word beggar and sores and crumbs, and dogs licking his sores means this person is in dire needs of help from a rich man whom he knew since the beggar was laid at his gate. This could apply to all kinds of good deeds work for God's glory today.

3rd Abraham's bosom must be a better place VS hell. This emphasizes there is indeed hell. It must be a true story and not a parable from Jesus Christ. Both person died-one comforted and the other tormented. Scary for this reality. We really need to examine ourselves.

4th v26 it appears you can see people in hell and from hell you can see people from Abraham's bosom. It is a great gulf fixed that you cannot just pass one place to the the other place. Shameful to see all people in hell at this point. I cannot bear to think how much I would cry to see our love one's in hell.

5th v27-28 talks about sending someone back to warned his 5 brothers about the reality of the tormented place where the rich man is experiencing. You cannot do that as well. One chance in life and we had 2,000 years of grace period to trust, have faith and believed in Jesus Christ alone.

6th So his brothers must be existing during Moses. We are here 2022 and we had plenty of warning from Paul who told us how to be saved. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

7th v30 You cannot cross from death back to life again. You only have one chance in life and when you die, you die pecker head. Everlasting torment is real.

8th last verse tells me you have someone like Moses sent by God, the five brothers have a chance to listen and if they don't, even if someone comes back to warned them from torment place they still will not change. We see more people today who are just not listening. Very sad. We have plenty of warnings. We pray!

I will discuss only The Apocrypha. Perhaps others can provide more details to what I write. You can use this as a start to your own research.

There are Four Kingdoms of mentioned in Daniel 7. Many say the Four Kingdoms are:

1.the Babylonian Empire

2.the Medo-Persian Empire

3.the Greek Empire

4.the Roman Empire

I have heard it taught that the Apocrypha pertains to the Greek Empire oppression of Ancient Israel. Perhaps the Apocrypha was WRITTEN during that time and NOT that everything in the books of the Apocrypha happened during that time. Apparently some of the Books in the Apocrypha are ancient.

The latter Apocryphal books of the Maccabees reveal the early beginnings of the Roman influence / oppression of Ancient Israel (Roman-Jewish Treaty I Maccabees 8:17-20). But also the Book of Maccabees refer to Greeks wanting to Hellenize the Ancient Israelites to participate in sports and exercise (I Maccabees 1:14) and not study the Torah or take care of the Temple.

The Bible is The Word of God traditionally consisting of The Old Testament, The New Testament, and the Apocrypha. Some say the 14 Books of the Apocrypha were removed from American Bibles in the 1800's.

In many older American Bibles the Apocrypha was placed between The Old Testament and The New Testament because some believe the Apocrypha was written between the period between of The Old Testament and The New Testament.

The Greek word for Apocrypha is apokryphos means hidden. This Greek name supports the idea of a Greek influence on Ancient Israel. This is supported by the fact that The New Testament sometimes refers to the Roman influence / oppression of Ancient Israel.

The 14 Books of the Apocrypha are I Esdras; II Esdras; Tobit; Judith; The rest of Esther; The Wisdom of Solomon; Ecclesiasticus; Baruch, with the Epistle of Jeremiah; The Song of the Three Holy Children; The History of Susanna; Bel and the Dragon; The Prayer of Manasses; I Maccabees; and II Maccabees.

Dear Giannis, I so agree with you on these matters. We are not to despise, denigrate, or negate the teachings and faith of those who were alive during the beginning of the church age, nor through the centuries, as if we, in this time are so much wiser and correct in our beliefs. That is a very arrogant and prideful way of viewing ourselves in relation to those believers who have gone before us, the great crowd of witnesses, as Hebrews 1 states. You have spoken well in your reply to Ronnette here. There are many on this forum who dishonor those who lived out their faith in Jesus through such terrible persecution, hardships, and struggles with heresy over the centuries. We should have an attitude to learn from them. God placed them in the church by His election and gave us their writings and history to inherit the body of beliefs of the faith past down through the saints.

I am not saying that all that was taught in the early church centuries, the Middle Ages, the Enlightenment, nor in the past 500 years is absolutely correct. But there is much truth there, especially on the majors, as you state. These majors are the teachings that must be believed to be considered a practicing Christian. New believers, of course do not know all of these teachings yet, but those who read the word, learn from pastors, or other Christian teachers should know these teachings and believe them to be considered "in the faith". I am not going to itemize these teachings in this post, but I do recommend to others to study up on these "majors". And, yes, one's position of the exact timing of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection is not a major. But that He did die for us, was buried, and arose on the third day for us is absolutely a major and essential to a person's faith.

I do think it is good to learn about the timeline of Jesus' last Supper, sufferings, death, burial, and resurrection in order to have an explanation for those who question the veracity of the "majors" I mentioned above ...

Hi SwordBearer

continued...

Yes, the Kingdom of God is within you. The Kingdom of God IS you. What else but you did the Creator create and what else but you is His Kingdom? The Kingdom is perfectly united and perfectly protected, and nothing will prevail against It. Amen. Only in one's wildest dreams is there a power which can usurp it. To believe so is actually a form of denial, arrogance, and lack of faith, to put it bluntly. I have faith in this: God wills us be in Heaven, and nothing can keep it from us or us from it. Our wildest misperceptions, our weird imaginings, our blackest nightmares all mean nothing; they will not prevail against the peace God wills for us.

I have a few questions. What you said about the brain is interesting. Can you give me your opinion on how the brain and mind are related? Also, I'm not sure if you are utilizing/linking the Zodiac thing with spirituality or not. Perhaps some clarification on that would be helpful, if you don't mind.

Peace and blessings

God Is