Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 27

Are you talking about the 1st 12 Jesus chose?

Dear Lbooth1955,

As you should expect, I say yes. They were the ones who were indwelt by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost with power to spread the gospel of Jesus' life, death, resurrection by which we receive salvation. But more so because of what Rev. 21:14 says about the New Jerusalem where the twelve apostles are said to be the twelve foundations of this Lamb for this city, which I take to be the church.

In this vision, the apostles are indicted as pillars of faith, the ones who delivered the faith once and for all delivered for the saints (church) ( Jude 1:3). The apostles were the foundation of the church ( Eph. 2:20) with Jesus being the chief cornerstone building the church up as a holy dwelling for God with His people forever. These twelve pillars (the apostles) represent the spiritual, doctrinal and historical base of the church that Jesus built upon after He ascended to heaven, as Jesus prophesied in Matt. 16:18. The names of the apostles as the foundation indicate apostolic authority over the church and its doctrines and

profession.

Oops, have to head out with hubby. This is all for now. Be blessed.

Dear Gerald,

I do understand where you are coming from in this dialog. Paul is clear that it is morally fine for someone to keep the Sabbath day holy unto the Lord and also clear that one can keep any day as holy unto the Lord or every day holy. It is a matter of Christian liberty that we seek the direction of the Holy Spirit as to what we personally are to do in this matter and to be fully persuaded in what the Spirit has led us to do in this time of one's life.

Jesus said that He is the Lord of the Sabbath. It belongs to Him for His glory for us to do good on it as we ought to do everyday. The Jews had a multitude of regulations that specified how one is to keep the Sabbath holy. But these regulations were done away with at the cross for those of us in Christ. Because the Jews did not have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them, their was a need to put a "fence" (these regulations) around the Sabbath in order to help them to keep their focus on God for that Day.

But we who are in Christ have the Holy Spirit as our constant source of connection to the true God and the Spirit is the One who "fences us in" (so to speak) as to how to live each day in godliness and and god-wardness. This is so much better than what the Jews tried to do on one day of the week. We can live everyday with the Lord wherever we are and in whatever we do, not because we, in ourselves, have the power to do so, but because the Father and the Son live within us by the Holy Spirit ( John 14:21) we are blessed to have continual fellowship with God and constant assistance and power to live a life that honors Him in all we say and do.

Annotated Gen.7.1 Noah and Abraham"

" for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation."

The Spirit focuses on Noah on the basis of righteousness and Abraham believed and it was count to him for righteousness. " And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness."(Gen.15.6)

Abraham was a heir of promise in the world raised from the death and destruction. The world of Noah as the Holy Spirit put due emphasis was to the Covenant wherein the man was the steward for His creation. The provisions given in Ge.1.28 has not changed. Having placed the role of His creation in terms of man after 'our image and after our likeness the Spirit is enlarging man's world where all families of the earth are to be brought in. God tells Abraham,"And he said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it."(15.5-7) He brought him into the open," Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them:... So shall thy seed be." His seed belonged to another seed' beginning with Seth. The ground was cursed for thy sake' so runs God's word making his sweat by his brow' as wasted labour. On the other hand the last Adam, the Lord from heaven is blessed. The holy family that Noah raised up draws the last Adam as the first begotten in Jesus Christ. He is the word become flesh.

Generation of Jesus Christ is singular. So 1000 years explain his generation. In contrast the generation of Noah is tagged by 100.

" And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth" secondly the great flood judged the world,' In the six hundredth year of Noah's life,' Noah's righteousness connect him to Jesus Christ than to the generations of Adam.(5.1) So the generation of Jesus Christ reign from heaven."and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." (Rev.20.4)The earth and the fulness thereof belongs to God.. Abraham would want no part of the world under judgment

My last post might have come across as harsh for that I apologise.

For the record ,I am not disputing about a sabbath day ,one day in 7 a day of rest . In the wisdom of God it is a good thing now sadly lost when people don't have to go to work ,most shops are shut and the place is quiet etc and moreover can meet withthe Lord and with Gods people .

When we used to meet on Saturday and Sunday it rejoiced my heart for it cut the ground under the feet wolf those who fir legal reasons contend over what sabbath day .

Paul's warns against such contentions . My reason for answering the original lpost was to show him how the Lord had much contention with similar people in his day . That alone should becacwarning bell to all of Gods people .

I refuse to 'debate' the issue when no answer is given to reasonable objections to such 'positions'.

And again Isay if one man esteems one day above all others and another esteems all days alike then ,et them be fully orrsauded in their own minds about it says Paul but let no man judge you about them. So praise the Lord .

If you honour the Lord on one day or all . The Lord is honoured .

The sabbath was" given as a foreshadow of a rest to come".

Praise the Lord .

Again I say did God get weary after working 6 days?

And what about " The Wirds that I speak are not my own words but the Father who is in me He doeth the work"?

Ard are we to rest from those works as well?

And what if every idle word? Which clearly do not do any work at all then there are words that do a work also .

Do we not speak then on the Sabbath ?

For clearly by that commandment so beloved by those who wish to be justified by it we must rest from all our works .

And here I am again .

I've said enough .

GB

Question?

Are the 12 Apostles included in the body of Christ?

Yes or no, and please include scripture to support your thoughts.

Thank you and God Bless!

Annotated Gen.6.7

" And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them."

The ark is a testament to the divine Will and it is world framed by the word of God. How do we say that for sure? In v.22,"Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he." God is setting a distinction between what is holy and unholy and between light and darkness. Abraham will not even receive a shoe latchet from the king of Sodom. And God says,

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."(2 Co6.17) Then as now. God shall purge the wicked world with fire. The world where the word has no place in the heart of man renders every beast of his vulnerable. The fate of Achan is a warning, "And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor."( Joshua 7.24)

Holy Jerusalem above shall be totally rid of the 'works' of the ungodly world.

The beasts creepiing thing and fowls of the air as specified by God may enter. It is the obedience of Noah who shall sanctify them. So it is the Word who sanctifies them.

"And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth". Noah is stand-in for soul and God gives time for a congregation so rgw word of God stands sure,"0 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."(Mt.18.20) The inner man is a sign so soul is set in direction of a great congregation, "But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels."(Heb.12.21-23)

Covenant does not change.

Problem seem to arise from the so called 'believers' reading and forgetting the intent of the Spirit. It is for our instruction in righteousness. For example, the Spirit says Noah was righteous. So God let the great flood on the earth, 'n the six hundredth year of Noah's life,'. For a diligent reader the significance of the number will not be lost. The Covenant enjoins 'entering into the God's rest on the day Seven. The more I have delved into the Bible I stand amazed at the inerracy of the word of God.

Heresy is wanting to believe at my terms, and you see its consequences,

Dear Tim2u

Reading John 8:1-11 we read of how the religious leaders and other Jews drug out a woman who was engaged in adultery into the street to stone her as the Mosaic law requires.

However, this day, this woman met the one and only person who could bring her salvation and forgiveness. Jesus chose not to condemn her. That day she encountered grace upon grace from the giver of grace! We don't know what happened to this woman thereafter, but because of our Lord's words to her, I do think that she was one of lost sheep of Israel who was among Jesus' sheep. One who Jesus came to save.

He knew exactly what she was doing with the man before she was drug out as well as how she lived all of her days prior to that day. He knew her through and through and was merciful to her. He told her to go and sin no more. Perhaps these words to her were the divine words that freed her from the sin that bound her. Perhaps she became one of the woman who followed Jesus from then on out. I hope so. But we will not know this side of heaven.

For us who believe, we need to be merciful to others also. We need to offer the grace of the gospel to those who are actively sinning before us and refrain from judging them harshly. Should they respond to the gospel offer, then praise be the Lord! We need to be humble in such circumstances and approachable to such people who are bound in sin as we once were.

Anyway, these are my thoughts on this passage. I am not sure how you wish this discussion to go, but I can say "This is a starting point."

And again I say what " work" did God do that He rested from? Does God need to rest? Then what work are we to rest from as God did from His?

And again I say there are the works of the flesh . And there are those good works preordained from before the foundations of the world .of the Spirit.

By the flesh as I said before ( again) I'm not tall king about breaking corn in the hands for food on the sabbath or putting on a light switch .Cooking dinner walking more than a certain distance from the hiyse .The Jews do all that and they are not justified .

I'm talking about as I said before those works of " wood hay and stubble" if yiur talking about"rest" was it not the rest of going into the promised land that they failed to enter into because of " unbelief" .

So what works and what rest? And I'll repeat again for the last time . If one person esteems one day above all others and another esteems all days alike Paul says " let each be fully persuaded in their own minds" on the matter but let no brother judge the other .If your fully persuaded of the One day praise the Lord ,I of them all being fully persuaded thy the s riotures that the sabbaths were given as foreshadow of that which is to come .

Praise the Lord .

Any contentions between brethren is simply down to carnal tninking . And I won't do it .

The seven Bright morning Stars provide enough funds to care for all of them and provide funds for feed the children half a million families children that pray to God my name is Robert stinnick you'll find my last name in The book of Genesis they didn't call Abraham a stiff neck for nothing I was born July 28th 1960 something I had no control over leo of the tribe of Judah I even told the holy Spirit when first came to me the name you looking for it you must have the wrong address what address you're looking for before I was told book of Isaiah God wants a man it never been able to write or spell right for him over 35 years not much better thank God for speaking type

For the knowledge and time and location of the earthquake 22 nautical miles from Northeast of Guam hagante will produce a tsunami that will take out Alaska and Canada cost 150 MI north of state of Washington it will go in then approximately 350 MI as the wave returns topples mountains from the wait it will slow reverse the rotation of the planet rain and hell will follow jet engines cannot fly they require a constancy of air the pole will shift 7 East from North to relink the satellites I tried to seem to drop the link fifth hour of the seventh day get them all out of there it's 200 million lives that don't have to die the purpose of prophecy given that confirm God gave to protect not to destroy the seven Bright morning Stars will still be required they care for the orphans of the world to be one mentor for every thousand children to in relish as a very own the Catholics will give up and let God's children go those every wish to stay they will pay them as clergyman those are God's words new rivers and streams will fall wars we'll not be anymore I've given almost all knowledge that restores get rid of most every disease cancers they don't seem to care God told me he was rejected because he chose a simple man over 35 years I've never been through so much drama and misery in my life what do you do it's in God's hands I tried that one righteous May come for the one being 4444,000 orphans someday got accepted I give everything one more can I do Zechariah 1:3 is what I'm supposed to say

In the gospel of John 8:1-11 are verses that are commonly too often miss understood, miss taught, miss quoted, and miss applied. What do you think?

Greeting's

Exodus 20:8

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."

Hebrews 10:16

"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;"

John 15:10

"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."

John 14:21

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."

John 14:15

"If ye love me, keep my commandments."

1 John 3:22

"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."

Revelation 22:14

"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

Matthew 24:35

"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

Blessings

The will of God .

Much is made of man's free will . But this is a red herring . But if people insist upon it then I say Hod has a free will too .

Much is spoken about if man's " free choice" that too is a red herring for when men talk about freedom of choice what thr6 realy want is to be free to choose what thry want .

But God has the freedom of choice and has chosen to save all them that call upon His name ..

He has chosen "to work all things after the council of His own will "

"God will have mercy upon who he will have mercy".

Jesus said " He came not to do His will but the will of Him who sent Him .

He was born in the time frame foretold in the scriptures .

In the place foretold in the scriptures .

Raised in the place foretold in the scriptures .

Ministered in the anointing of the Holy Spirit as foretold in the scriptures .

Was rejected according to the scriptures .

Suffered and was crucified according to the scriptures ."

" It pleased God to bruise Him"

He died according to the scriptures ..

Was buried according to the scriptures .

Rose again according to the scriptures .

He's coming again according to the scriptures .

Is anyone foolish to dare say the Lord was not the freest Man that has ever lived?

Never is an angel fallen or not called " sons of God".

It is about time that particular red herring was put in the bin .

The Lord is soon to come and people can waste their time debating none debatable issues but if you indulge in such folly you may well miss the boat .

I do not deny the scriptures but if you notice in the one you quoted it was to " the children of Isreal" that the commandment was given .

But again if you apply that we should " rest" even as God did rest from our works asHe did from His. Does God need rest? Did He sit down or stop working exhausted from His labours? As we must also?

We might need to have such a rest from our physical but God does not for His work was not " by the sweat of His brow?

I put it therefore when in Hebrews it says we are to rest from our work even; as God did from His .

It is speaking about works of the flesh or by deeds of the law not grinding corn in our hands ,or not switching off light bulbs or ploughing our field etc . But we can rescue a neighbours cattle fallen into a pit .

Or as Jesus said of the matter if you can do that yiu can most certainly heal a man of a withered hand on the sabbath . But no the religious of his day thought not .

So what work then is God talking about?

It's the works of the flesh the striving of the flesh to establish your own righteousness by your works even as Cain did with his .

But are there not also other works? " preordained from before the foundation of the world that we should walk in them"?

So we have two works the works of the flesh ."The wood hay and stubble " that won't stand the fire .

And those works of gold and silver .

The foundation though laid if we are true born children of God is one thing " be careful what you build on it" said Paul .

Do we seek to build works of the flesh or the Spirit? And which will last?

God did not need to rest .He neither slumbers or sleeps .

Jesus said " The Words I speak are not my own words but the Father who is IN Me He doeth the work"

Did He not also say " As the Father sent Me so send I you"? And in another place " greater works shall you do."

If the Father was in the Son and the Father did the work . Then is it not Christ in you ? Who then does the work ?

We rest from our work

GIGI, I can agree with the LORD swearing to or rather, by HIMSELF, just not to a human. But as I have said, HE made promise to them, and to us. So, in this sense, when God it is an oath which is a solemn promise or declaration often swearing by Himself, and no other higher authority to attest the to the truth of His word or intention. So then in this case, I would state that God swears solemn oaths by Himself, as HE did to Abraham and David. He swore by Himself--since there was no one greater-- to guarantee HIS "promises" to them, which were HIs covenant oaths, His "solemn oaths." It was common practice used to establish trust, but Jesus's teachings in the New Testament discourage casual swearing advocating for simple "yes" or "no" to avoid the potential for deception. I digressed here, there is no mishaps in Christ Jesus, so it must have been meant.

*A serious promise: An oath in the Old Testament was a binding promise made in the presence of GOD, who served as the witness to truth of one's word or intentions. *Invoking God's name: Oaths were made by GOD's name to provide an ultimate guarantee' and it was considered a grave sin to swear falsely, as it profaned God's name. Though there is much more for me to study up on, much further, I am hoping the you cans see, at least where I am coming from. HE, God swears by only Himself, but he makes solemn oaths and promises to His people. I believe that we can relate these as God's swearing. Thank all of you for reading this.

I pray in Jesus name, for Unity in this community that I work at BOI, I pray for addictions to be broken, generational curses to be broken and people set free from any and all bondages of the enemy;. I pray for Holy Spirit to move all around this building.. Fill people with love,peace and joy. Give them ALL a desire to want to know who you are. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen

The Bible I have discovered is the most thought provoking book on the planet . I have also discovered that if yiu ask a good question that one that is on the foundation and be.ief of Gods righteousness and always right ,sooner or later you will get a good answer . I say sooner or later because some questions though sound cannot be answered or understood before you have understood something else . As in mathematics you cannot understand algebra till you have mastered + - Division etc and you can't understand higher mathematics till you have mastered algebra.etc etc.

If though the foundation of your question is unbelief no answer ,no matter how comprehensive and correct will satisfy for unbelief is like a bottomless pit that is never satisfied or a barren womb the Bible says .

So we must be patient with our questions . Having said that I do think many of Gods people are too easily satisfied with just the milk of the Word or the sweet things" . Ezekiel and others were given little books that in the mouth were sweet but bitter once swallowed .Why? Because thecWord of God is contrary to the old nature of man and once swallowed will start working on the old man .

So keep on keeping on :) Don't be too swayed if at all by those who make a great matter of knowing Greek or Hebrew .

Saul of Tarsus and many of the Pharisees and Drs of the law knew Hebrew as their mother tongue but did not understand the scriptures . It's the Holy Spurit who inspired " all scripture." And it is Him we need in the same measure to understood what He inspired to be written .

" They that hunger and thirst after righteousness " it is they that shall be filled ( and satisfied) those who think they have it all like Peter ( once) will find they have but began the race .

Annotated Gen.6.5 "Continually"

" And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

God a Spirit refers to the north country refreshing his Spirit. The angel of the Lord refers to the four spirits and explains to the prophet,"Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country." (Ze.6.5-8) Here the Spirit is referring to the flesh, which confines to the first Adam whose disobedience changed the entire terrain of the earth. The earth and the fulness thereof belongs to God. Sin of disobedience made this sentence a dubious claim."Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God." (v.8) Like the north country of what purpose was the perfection of the man in His kingdom? Every imagination and the thoughts of man who preferred darkness ruffled the divine holiness. It called for immediate action.

"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent. "(Num.23.19) It behove the Son to address the problem of sin. It shall explain the measurement of the Ark were in multiples of Threes and Fives.

"The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits."(Gen.6.15)

The ark is a symbol of God working with Man. " In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened."(7.11)

" In the six hundredth year of Noah's life," is how the Spirit sets judgment fall on the earth 'for his sake' as God cursed the ground for the sake of Adam..(3.17) In the Covenant God blessed man on the day Five and who refused to enter into the God's rest the number 6 is the number of repudiation, denial of grace. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Noah serves here as the heir of promise as the Son. (Heb.1.2

The children of Isreal did not enter the promised land " because of their unbelief " unbelief is not just not believing God ,it is believing another message the wrong message . Paul warns believers not only not to be like them who entered not in because of unbelief but also warned not to be " like Eve" . She too did not believe God but believed the wrong message. When you reject the truth you will believe the lie and when you believe the lie you become blind to the truth .

How long did it take the children of Isreal to travel from Egypt to the borders of the promised land? Most will say 40 years . Not so .It took them just over two years . But the church the body of which I am a part has made the wandering in the wilderness for 40 years the Christian norm.

Has made the promised land heaven and Jordon death .

There are no giants in heaven or cities to conquer .

It was God who barred them from entering because of their unbelief . Out of over 2000,000 people there was only TWO ( 2) who came out of Egypt and entered the promised land . It was another generation that entered the very children who thevothers said would be bread for those giants were the ones who became " more than conquerors" .

They shall not enter into my rest . They found no place of rest in the wilderness .

That minor part was to be in effect boot camp . But they made it their life. " Fire er learning but never coming to a knowledge of the truth".

It's time we woke up for it is written of the Bride she will " come out of the wilderness terrible as an army with banners leaning upon her beloved"

The sun is like the groom who comes out of his chamber.."

The Bride is the moon who having no light of its own never the less bares witness that even in the darkest night when she is still shining that not only is the sun still shining but that there is coming a perfect day .

And "God created thec greater light to rule the day and the lesser. Light to rule the night.

Given the state of the church is in and the contentions that were resolved long ago by biblical argument but still 'debatedc' by so many today while I cannot demy the scriptures you quoted about the leading of the Holy Spirit etc ,I must wonder why therevis do much confusion by so many professing Christian's .

In this matter as also many others expecialky concerning thec" last days" and the coming of the Lord and the Brudebif Christ .

I say again the greatest problem the Lord had all His life of ministry was that concerning the Sabbath . It shouid make rvery child of God be aware and on guard against unprofitable contentions with those who have similar ideas of the sabbath and who think their salvation depends on their observing one day over the rest .not working . There is no end to that one the Jews are proof of it.

If we are true born children of God then we are both by the Spirit and the Word of God ( " the water and the Spurit") Not the Word only but also the Spirit of truth .

For there is the body of truth which is the scriptures and the Spirit of truth the Holy Spurit .

"If we now live in the Spirit we dhouod also walk in the Spirit".

A new born has life but to live that life it needs to be continually filled with the breath of life.

So also a true born child of God . It is not though automatic .

For was it not to christians Paul was specifically speaking to of whom he said " ye are yet carnal"? ( Corinthians) .

And was it not also to christians who he prayed for in Ephesians that " the eyes of theur understanding may be opened? "

Now we know that their eyes of their understanding had been opened unto salvation for salvation comes by hearing and understanding thecWord of God . But in this case they were still blind to the power that was now " towards them"

To live in the Spirit is good but it takes time to learn to walk in the Spirit ." Fir how can two walk together unless they agree"?

GB

Addendum: It was brought to my attention recently by one person on this site that I basically ramble on without confidence in the Word. Admittedly; the time I have here to bounce around ideas is more than most. I will state that although it is healthy to have questions I don't want to be as Paul stated buffeting aimlessly. I will be honest enough to admit that there are some issues that I wrestle with; and sometimes am trying to get some discussion going to make things clearer to me; and to provoke discussion to get people to think more deeply.

I have covered the last few years all the major theological issues that I can think of of importance. There are others here more succinct; detailed and consistent in studying the Word directly or what some call "exegesis". I tend to look at issues then find corresponding answers from the Bible. Without any questions from others who may be seeking further understanding; I certainly don't want to be the only one dumping my own problems here. This recent trip I took where my friend helped me insulate a cabin and we were able to fellowship together and I got to hear his testimony gave me a vision of what He may have in my future; specifically in regard to my assistance in promoting his testimony which he has been asked to share in different parts of the country. For now I am continuing to work out certain things through the recovery program in my church that is structured to encourage others but with the small turnout has been something those leading it can use to further make what is called a "fearless moral inventory". In general the example of my friend sharing the Gospel as we used to do regularly when I lived in the same city as him is where I want my focus to be as His coming draws near.

I would just ask for more specific criticism so that whatever changes I make in further postings can be more edifying; and to be certain I don't have a purpose for directing conversation a certain way.

Encouraging news.

The reports of multiple well known musicians formerly entrenched in the mindset of the Christian music industry repenting (which began with one or two not for conscious sake attending Grammy's and other events); and has now spread out to others stating basically that Christ is our reward and it doesn't matter what the world says. It is hard to discount deep felt conviction along with what clearly appears to be heartfelt true repentance that I'm hearing of late. This is an answered prayer as I have spent years praying about it and writing to certain artists on this subject pleading with them not to go down the broad ecumenical road; etc.

With that being said there still is that issue of embracing denominations that are at best problematic; and some which clearly are destructive in their doctrines. Without playing the Devil's advocate too much I would have to say as with any other transformations time will tell as to their veracity; I don't want to assume anything negative but without any specific names in mind there could be some who want to join this bandwagon to continue funding their enterprise rather than personal convictions.

Overall it is NOT something I expected. How much more the true church can turn towards Biblical repentance in this late hour is up to the Lord. The other thing which I have been paying attention to is the persecution around the world and admonitions that it is coming here very soon. Just how much and when before He calls us home in the Rapture isn't something that we can know for certain.

The last thing of late that is interesting is my friend's testimony that I have permission to state if I choose to do so. This showed me basically about the fact that the supernatural dark side is very real; but the most important thing is that we can THINK we are Christian (or always were) until His Spirit enters in and convicts us of our sin.

Thank you for your reply . The text is biblical as in I quoted a verse of scripture my clarification of it yiu say is in error . No man is infallible ( though some religious claim they are) yet you simply sssert it is'unbiblucal or I have somehow twisted the s ruptures etc. Yet you do not prove or show how it is in error . But I assume because it may not conform to your many accepted idea of its meaning .

The text " .we are to rest from our labours as God did from His" you do not deny . But what I said after 'that's not talking about work in the usual sense but the works of the flesh rather than those of the Spirit '.

How am I therefore twisting the scriptures? For God did clearly rest on the 7th day . But who can say zGod needs test? " For He never slumbers or sleeps"?

How then or what is this rest? It is man that now 'works' by " the sweat of his brow" and needs a 'rest '.

It cannot be said at all that God was strained by His Labours .and need to rest'.

So when we are to rest from our labours as God did from His therevis clearky more to this than meets the eye .

A superficial reading of the passage will lead people down the same road as those Pharisees who complained not only of the disciples rushing corn in their hands on the sabbath for food but objecting to a man with a withered arm being healed on the Sabbath this was in the last week I believe of the Lords labours on earth and no wonder He was " angry" at them for their obstinate refusal even after over three years of ministry still holding to their errors .

So I say again the ball is in your ciyrt so to speak to show me where aI am twisting the scriptures .

I await your answer with interest .

GB

Annotated Gen.6.2 Sons of God"

"That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose"

The sons of God are created and God makes angels spirits so we may say with certainty that they are sons as we are;. What the Spirit has chosen not to dilate upon we shall pass in silence. The Holy Spirit dealt with Virgin Mary "and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."(Lk.1.35) By the same token angels that did not keep their first state,'the wandering stars' were partly to blame for moral corruption. Apostle John warns us,"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."( 1 Jn 4.1). The spirit of of heresy is called the spirit of antichrist, of which the apostle warns having 'come; and even now already is it in the world.

v.4 "There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown."

Celebrity culture is a sure characteristic of the days. Then as now. Such thirst for glory as a myth created Jason and the Argonauts in search of the golden fleece for the pagan world and at the age of exploration would lead to overrun the Americas for greed,glory and God. Do the vagabonds of the sons of Cain and their depredations over the first nations please God? Greed and glory becomes byword of individualism, heresy of false prophets call it manifest destiny. Satan created a strong delusions for the contemporaries of Noah.

v.8 "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord."

The result of mixing of light with darkness was a slow stain of contagion and Jesus Christ was manifest to destroy the works of the devil.

Annotated Gen.6.1-3 "My Spirit"

"And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh:"

God is a Spirit and whatever we shall know of the world of Spirit is from the Spirit of truth is within us we require no other testimony. It is what Jesus promised and what our indwelling Spirit represents. Yet we are warned,""Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."( 1 Jn 4.1) Enoch walked with God where he covered the two worlds even as Jesus Christ did, The point is in the fellowship of God with Man there is a common point on which our world shall be bound, It is our soul framed by the word of God, Enoch walked in faith, The Spirit sets the number 12. Five is the tag for soul of man and the Word which is the Law is a whole number. Thus 5+7=12 Whoever has entered into the God's rest shall walk not by sight but by faith. Enoch is set as a hero of faith."By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." So faith is the pure speech God and man employs so man's life by faith is measured by 12x10.Anything less creates striving with the Spirit of God, It is for this reason we abide in Christ. God found Noah as righteous as Abel or Enoch was. This faith life is the lesson we derive from the ark of Noah.

vv.1-2 "And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them," Obviously there were intermingling between the bloodline of Seth and of Cain. What concord has light with darkness as St Paul asks

" And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?/16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God

Dear Portia,

In this verse in Genesis 22 God did swear in the sense of making an oath to Himself to fulfill all that He promised to Abraham. It was not God cursing, but determining upon His sure word and name to be the pledge of this covenant, with the pledge being Himself. There is no higher oath than one like this that God alone makes within His Being.

More on God's love to us, pt 2

God is not like a policeman watching us when we do something illegal ready to arrest us for disobeying the Law. No He longsuffers us and works in our heart to make us obey Him. Like a father does with their disobedient children. He talks and talks and talks to them to make them do what is right. And even sometimes gives a little slap if needed. Not to punish but to correct. Let us not forget that God's aim is to get us to Heaven.

A sister in Christ has told me a beautiful experience she had sometime ago. She was running a business that was not going well. So one night when she went home from her shop she sat on her bed and started crying and asking for God. At one point she felt God's presence and started feeling joy. And this became stronger and stronger. So she raised her eyes to the ceiling and made a question to God. "Why do you come and go all the time? You come and we feel joy, then you leave and here we are down again. Why can't you be present all the time?" And she felt inside her Jesus talking to her " My daughter, now we are engaged. And we are like people wo are engaged. They are not together all time but they are together for some time then they separate for sometime, then they come together and so on The same thing happens to us. But the time will come when we will be married together and we will no longer be separated."

Rev 22:17, "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Have a blessed week.