Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 82

Text for our times:

"Take us the foxes, The little foxes, That spoil the vines: For our vines have tender grapes. My beloved is mine, and I am his: He feedeth among the lilies. Until the day break, And the shadows flee away, Turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart Upon the mountains of Bether."

These little foxes have been busy in the forum seeking whom to round up, Dispensationalism they call it,. They are spoiling the branches of the true Vine that ought to show abundant harvest. How can they one fox calls out,Hey L what is your picking." L adds, There seven dispensations you know? Meanwhile one calls out Hey Boo! The fox called L corrects him, the name is Booth.

The third fox says, "You can cut up Holiness of God in seven. Yet you take offence in a joke. Have you ever thought what happens for blasphemy? "But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation."( Mark 3.29)

In Mt.12,31-32 We have the same verse repeated, indicating Trinity. So both Father and Son agrees on this truth. "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."( Jn 16.13.) The Bible is inerrant. The Spirit shall never put stumbling blocks on any believer. I have fellows talking of believers and true believers before dispensing some half truths.

Religiosity

Part 2

Then in ( Isaiah 57:3) the Lord God, from that moment on, begins to invite sinners to draw near to Him. The Lord always extends this invitation to sinners, no matter the kind of sin or the most perverted lifestyle.

In the context of ( Isaiah 57:4), we see that as they heard the prophecy and were exhorted to repentance, many mocked, even sticking out their tongues. It is dangerous to have God as an adversary; it is much better that He be our ally, our Redeemer, and our Shield.

For facing Him as an enemy is something impossible to endure, as Revelation shows when speaking of the final judgment.

Right after, the text describes how the people became idolatrous, using oaks as offering places and performing sacrifices, even with cultic sexual practices.

They went as far as sacrificing their own children to these idols. This chapter has lingered in my thoughts for weeks.

I think about how to apply these reflections to my days. I always look for trustworthy websites for study. I remember a post here about something related to Ecclesiastes and Psalm 51.

Perhaps the author who created or wrote the content of that post could repost it so that my study can be more detailed on this topic and thus have a more fluid study.

Gigi,

(2 of 2)

Jesus was to be the Saviour of the whole manking so he testified before both Judah Iscariot and the nation of Israel He was the Word become flesh and what is the Word, it is the 'thy word' and sanctify them with thy word.( Jn 17.17). When God tells Moses of the ten spies who brought the evil report He says, ' and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice' Here is another ten:" and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life'(Rev.2.10) Tribulation creates martyrs, from Abel onwards till the time God in his wrath judges the world. "All these things must be accounted for(Mt.23.35). Why God in his power and wisdom seen His fulness resting in his Son is avenged. "Before Abraham was I am." So Ten Commandments were given as a mark of condemnation. Again when David is presentedas a man after my own heart, it is given in multiples of Three to coincide with the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. "David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years./In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah." (2 Sam.5.4-5)Rev.7 relates to 144,000 who shall stand in place as martyrs as Seth did in order to replace Abel.

Finally these heretics who conveniently avoid the text in order to make Israel as blessed from Abraham forget the text:"These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,"(Gen.2.4) 'In the beginning' refers to the day God decreed for his Son.(Ps.2.) The generation mentioned here refers to Jesus Christ who is before all things and by him consist.(Col.1.17-19) When Jesus says," Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation," he is referring to his Alpha Omega aspect. His fulness having fulfilled his ministry is on the right hand of God.

Religiosity

Part 1

The force of daily habits pulled me away from the fixed local church, and along with it came the loss of the desire to listen to sermons. This led me - and even forced me - to study on my own. Not that it is an effort that bores me, but the more I know the Word, the easier it becomes to see and understand how God never wanted religiosity.

The various theologies, which I briefly mentioned in my last post, are part of one of my studies this semester. In the verse (see Isaiah 57:21) "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked." Wouldn't this be what is happening nowadays? Or would it?

This chapter shows us the secret of fellowship with God and how to develop a deep fellowship with Him. In the previous chapters, one of the reasons for God's judgment upon His people, Israel and Jerusalem, was disobedience - the way they began to pervert justice and turn away from the truth the Lord had established in the covenant at Sinai, through the Law.

Moving on to ( Isaiah 57:1), we see that, even in that time, those who obeyed God were treated with hostility. How many times did the Lord Jesus Himself, in ( John 15:20), affirm that the righteous would be persecuted. ( Matthew 10:21) "You will be persecuted and handed over, even by your own relatives."

In ( Isaiah 57:2), we understand the reason. The righteous were taken away to be spared from evil.

Many times, the Lord allows the death of His saints precisely to deliver them from something worse.

Gigi, (1 of 2)

I can bet that you shall not get it from these folks who takes literal passages but conveniently do not use them where it would have helped the text in question as the Pharisees tried to entangle Jesus in by his own words. Brother Chris used the same gambit, and hypothetical he calls it. Answer is to be either yea or nay so it merely reveals bad faith in which he tries together Bro L Booth S Spencer. They have set up good ole' shell game. It smelled so far and having come from vacation let me giveI will cite three examples.Jesus forbade his disciples from putting the date or on his omnipotence. "And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power."( Acts 1.7) How come these heretical sects give what God has set apart in his own power. Two sets of 144,000 which is a tag for Holiness. When the day was decreed for his Son the number to indicate the gospel and doctrine of Christ pendent on His holiness. The slain Lamb emblem allows the book of Lamb to settle these few elect. Many are called but the book of the Lamb determines the final count. Are the 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel? Of course not.

God knew the betrayal of Judah as well as the nation of Israel Jesus was forewarned so he tells his disciples, " Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?/He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve."(Jn.6.70-71) He was the Son of man as well as the Word become flesh. Gor this reason when he healed the leper he told him to follow the Law of Moses for a testimony unto the Jews. He was among them but not one of the, Two occasions he collected 12 baskets of broken bits as the Son of man and Seven baskets as the Word become flesh. It is the Law of the Spirit who set the everlasying Covenant of seven days. As God tells Elijah of 7000 who have not bowed there knees. As with 7x1000 is not actual head count but the Word

Hello GiGi,

I'm a little bit confused by your response. Perhaps I wasn't clear.

There is only one rapture and bodily resurrection of true believers, and that occurs when Christ returns to wrap up his judgment and salvation program. In other words at the end of this world.

If you understand something different, please explain.

Thank you.

Dear Bible Alone,

I do agree with you that these Scriptures both speak of the Lord's return in glory at the end of this age. I do not believe that the Thessalonian passage speaks of a rapture prior to His one and only second coming, also.

Thanks for sharing.

Hello Chris,

Curious to know how the following passage fits into your idea of an earthly kingdom with Christ ruling from Jerusalem.

Clearly, those spoken about in Hebrews 11 were not looking for an earthly kingdom of any kind.

I suspect part of your misunderstanding stems from the fact that you want to understand "Israel" as always speaking about either Israel the man or National Israel the Jewish nation.

God very clearly defines Israel in many different ways, depending on the context. Remember that Christ spoken parables and without a parable, spake He not.

The Israel, that God is concerned about from a covenant salvation perspective, is the Israel made up of all true believers, both from the nation of Israel, and from every other nation.

These are God's elect. Whom Christ has chosen from before the foundations of the world and fully paid for their sins. These are the elect. God's elect, whom God has applied or will apply salvation to their life by giving them a new resurrected soul, have no interest in an earthly kingdom with Christ ruling from Jerusalem. They seek an heavenly kingdom as talked about in Hebrews 11. But thank you again for your response.

Hebrews 11:13-16 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS ON THE EARTH. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they SEAK A COUNTRY. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a BETTER [country], that is, an HEAVENLY: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath PREPARED FOR THEM A CITY"

May God in his mercy lead us into truth, as we compare scripture with scripture using the principles that God has laid down in his word.

To clarify, S. Spencer,

I cannot remember if I asked these specific questions in the format I did with Lbooth, but most likely within responses to different people.

Perhaps I was not very clear, so to clarify, I was speaking of questions about dispensational beliefs in general, not necessarily the specific questions I posted. So I apologize for not being a clear as I should have been.

I appreciate both your and Chris' responses to my inquiries. However, I would not consider the "answers" to my questions as giving clear, direct, explicit, and convincing Scriptural references to prove any of the questions posed.

That evidence is what I am seeking.

More on signs and wonders: Reflections on the latest Pope's new mandates

If anyone has not investigated the latest upheaval of 12 or 14 mandates (depending on which article is read) it is something that should be checked out. The one mandate alone regarding total accountability using 4 secular accountants no less on all the Vatican's wealth is enough to make him a target; as well as not having any official titles so that everyone is considered a brother in Christ. Now when you get to the last couple things being decided there is no doubt it is thrusting the world to a One World religion. Given the transparency here as to overthrowing the institution; bolstered by the layperson involvment in abuse charges hereafter and releasing other documents hidden in such matters it would seem that he wouldn't qualify necessarily for the false prophet due to his transparency. The Vatican apparently will no longer have the Papal residence where it is but that facility is turned into a library. I would recommend reading these mandates; as an institution the control seems to be relinquished; but again the overall agenda of ecumenicalism is strengthened along with the environmental mandates (the Vatican also is going to have some sort of alternative energy used).

This concept as I see it will allow the future Antichrist to have the focus rather than the Papacy as the false prophet does things on the behalf of the Beast it says. The focus then necessarily has to be there so this probably makes sense; and it also takes away the control and influence from those who financially were creating a stranglehold.

I wish this man was truly saved without prayers to Mary in particular. This transparency is going to reflect to the other denominations as to things they could or should consider and no doubt will bolster popular support back to Catholicism.

It is equally likely; of course that this is short lived and shall we say coiuld easily be snuffed out. Time will tell.

Signs and wonders

Today I reacted to a sight which was discussing many children in particular who are said to have had visions of Christ. Without even getting into specifics I said that no doubt the enemy is sending out messages and there are many human copycats and finally you can tell by their fruits if someone is truly saved by their actions afterwards in sharing the faith; the true Gospel of Christ. We see some hope here with the first example; a well known story by now of a boy who was under anesthesia and supposedly saw Christ and other people he had no knowledge of. I remain cautiously optimistic in some cases.

Repentance that is granted by God is a gift as scripture indicates (Acts; etc). Our actions; no doubt reflect true salvation and repentance with change on our end. The basic issues of salvation related to our sin nature (not just outward actions) that needs atonement through Christ is often bypassed and people act as though we can be in God's presence without being flat on our faces. A chlld would have this same reaction truly seeing the Lord; it is a spontaneous and uncontrollable reflex for anyone and without such an experience even someone too young to understand sin has to be questioned as to the validity of the experience; this becomes clear later on with such as a very famous female artist now an adult; I suppose I won't mention the name here but it is clear she is very New Age and not truly Christian despite being a top 10 artist as a child in the world. Images of any sort of Christ have to be questioned; as to all this facination with cloud formations which at times are just natural phenonmenon; other times it seems nafarious forces are at work creating things to convince the masses; so to speak whether human tech or demonic. When Christ comes it will be from the east to the west. Anyone truly seeing the Lord will beg for forgiveness; but again Godly sorrow leads to true repentance; worldly to death ( 2 Cor. 7:10).

Agape.

Thanks Gigi.

That may explains why I never saw those questions before until you posed them to Lbooth.

I came along late in that thread with Lbooth.

I thought you told him you have asked these questions before and no one gave you answers.

I was saying that is the first time I've seen them.

However I thought Brother Chris gave you direct great answers! I couldn't improve on them!

However when time permits I will give you how I come up with my interpretation that leads me to my beliefs.

God bless.

Sadly, most professing Christians in my part of the world look at scripture and support it through scripture. Yet when topics especially in Revelations (book) come up, I here so much hypocrisy about peoples illusion about the 7 year tribulation in the end times. In Daniel 9 to 12 people can gain insight into the underlying message that the entire book of Revelations is based on. Also understanding the Olivet discourse would move mountains on this topic. The majority of Christians are being deceived about the true meaning of the 7 years trib. pre trib. ect Sometimes praying in the spirit, we can receive instructions on the truth. Revelation 12{9 and 2 Thessalonians 2;3 have already been fulfilled. Revelations 13:4 and who can make war with the beast. We are already here as the son of perdition has already been revealed. I gain everything I receive through the direction of the Holy Spirit or Ruach spirit. If anybody has interest in this area, I would be more than willing to share the truth as per the spirit and not the flesh. I would suggest those individuals look first at the 70 weeks of Daniel, the Olivet discourse, and then Revelations. Do not be deceived as the devil and his minions have already deceived most of the world with twisting scripture, Historical history knowledge about these areas will open a lot of eyes. Last, if people are not living in the spirit and truth and following the great commission of healing, casting out, speaking in tongues ( Mark 16:17, and the rest of what Christ asked us to do, these words mean nothing. My hope is always in the promises, as I truly feel like a stranger in a fallen world waiting for the promises by faith in of serving in the millennium reign and then the new heaven and new earth to follow

2. So we indoctrinate them so that they learn this form. And in some cases only in my life I see it, but is my life so valuable to the world, or to the Lord Jesus? If I were actually dead in the body many years ago, but still alive in the body and glorifying God with my Spirit. Look, that's a difficult question if I made myself understandable. Because if medical science hadn't "cured" me many times with antibiotics. I would have been dead long ago. Antibiotics are just a small sliver of joy. They never completely remove the infection. So an infection will come back, sooner or later. This is where I think we are tricked into believing that science is necessary. And we continue to look at all the abominable things medical science deals with. We see that it is not for life, it wants death to.

I'll be back later, have to do something else. Be blessed in Jesus' name. Amen Acts 28

1. Hello Richard H P you know, when you go out in faith and want to pray for people, I would like to think that he was shocked.Not your fault, sir.But be encouraged, don't let the answer he gave you set you back.For here are spiritual opponents, here they are standing in line so that you will not approach anyone again. Know that the Holy Spirit is with you always until the end of the world.Know about people who in a way "cultivate their illnesses".They are the ones who get negative attention and such people are demanding. But you probably know this.He doesn't have to be that kind of person, but he was touched by your openness, see if you can get an opening again sometime.Because that need is a reminder from the Lord. It makes us not forget either. The need we get is the Lord. I see here on the prayer page that gives me a lot of blessing.I can feel alive in the middle of the forest. Where I normally sit, breathe and live. Few people come by.And those the Lord sends me I have need in my heart for. Also some I meet. But people are generally well off and lack very little in these areas.It was worse before 1930 and until after the war. But that was before my time.Then the need for people must come in the form of a war. Oh no I don't want that.You know this man can probably afford a doctor and has a treatment plan. See how the antichrist works. Put in easier alternatives, (we think) We believe that running to a doctor or a hospital will heal us. What we see in God's Word is the exact opposite. Here is Jesus our doctor! And how much easier it is to ask Him. but no we run to the doctor, ps I have done that and, not least when I had small children. Then you have a responsibility over another life. But we believers should run to the Lord. He may also be one of those who trusts in medical science, and believes and does not bother the Lord with it. Because when we take our children to the doctor, it becomes easy for our enemy to make them think that the doctor is best.

Thanks for writing in Willow and sharing that rather different testimony by your friend whilst she was in the baptism waters; that she heard her pastor's question to her in such a different way.

Anyway, as you mix more with Christian friends, whether in person or online, attend Church or Bible studies, the amount of information coming to you to digest will be both great & at times conflicting in your heart. When Scriptures are given to support the belief or teaching, note those portions and study them including the Book and chapters the verses are in, asking the Spirit to help you understand. It's only the LORD God with His Own Word that can show you what you need to know & how to apply those Truths in your life. And this understanding sometimes takes time as the Spirit leads you in your reading more of the Word & your readiness to learn what He has to say to you. Every blessing in your earnest desire and walk with the Lord Jesus.

Spiritual bondage vs freedom

And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. ( 1 John 5:19).

But godliness with contentment is great gain. ( 1 Timothy 6:6)

This posting is really bearing my soul as it were but necessary medicine.

When we start out life we are utterly dependent on our parents or whoever our caretaker happens to be for food; clothing and shelter. Of course the famous adage is that you never need to train a child to say NO and therefore they need parameters.

As someone gets older; of course they are expected to become more and more independent until eventually they forge a life on their own with their life partner in marriage many times.

This of course can be used as an analogy of the same situation of someone just Born Again; and in others not. God is forever sustaining us and we are ever dependent on His provisions. We are asked to suffer as indeed Christ suffered as a servant. In all this we are UTTERLY dependent on the Holy Spirit. Although He lives inside us as a permanent resident we need to constantly fellowship and pray; today the Pastor discussed the Transfiguration and Christ in prayer immediately before that. Thus we are restored and renewed or you could say refilled in the proper context. I look at it more as our old self trying to assert dominance and we forget who we truly are; again with the caveat that only a truly saved person can do that or even has any joy in it. I can only speak for myself but always recognize the Spirit at work but it amazes me how I seem to be estranged much of the time and sadly often think I'm doing alright when in fact I have drifted away from where I should be. It simply isn't enough to make a formula out of procedures every day reading the Bible; prayer; etc. and in fact it probably does more harm than good if it is disingenuous from some ritualistic routine. I for one have to seek Him more every day before anything else.

God bless.

Later.

RHP

Does not Wisdom care for her own, as a good mother does

Thru Wisdom, the Lords Holy children

observe his feasts n sabbaths

as one

In light of the teaching tonight I did want to say that I plan to not be always focused on my issues; or agenda with these postings. I can say that it certainly isn't an overt and obvious thing in that regard as far as being disingenuous to being edifying; etc. But it affects what seems important to me at the time and some of that no doubt is unbelief leading to fear over events and I am trying to hash some concepts out which may end up only making me feel better at the time. Such logic of course may not really edify others. With too much focus in one area other real life issues can take a back burner. I can't assume what is burdening me is relevant to others; or necessary to rant about the moment something comes up in the media of concern.

I'm sure some of these things would be clearer as far as my strengths and weaknesses in person. Hopefully transparency has had some good effect here. Again suggestions are helpful; one way or another.

This once again has me considering the Rapture. The experiential part of God's Kingdom of course lives in His saints now (the Kingdom of God lives within His church). I have discussed this before but when we exit this earth it is part of our fellowship of the saints; finally to where it should be without all of earth's separation; distractions and illnesses. To be saved and in fellowship now we are known by God and in true communion with His saints. Of course we will see those from all nations at that time. Let us start to consider these things now where we are spontaneously worshipping. We will no doubt be compelled to worship but are reminded everyone in heaven and earth (that would include those who aren't saved) will be compelled to admit Jesus is Lord. We have to be careful not to make the ceremony a ritual that supersedes this concept of being in unity if indeed we are around those who are truly of the faith. Let us ask God to give us Agape for the saints and remove any unforgiveness.

My last request is that for now at least I plan to stick around where I am; hopefully being able to get a trip up to see the electricity hooked up to this cabin purchase and if it is God's will my friend can accompany me to check out the wiring. I have training already one day next week and my job in Food Service is slated Sept 2. The lady at work had a tragic death of her nephew after she had already left to do other work for the summer; and I want to be a decent witness to her. My performance was said to be sub par but they are short one guy who went to college so although I missed a project after the school year due to my apparent need for supervision they are taking me back. I want to serve there as best I can and be a witness to whoever is new tehere; as they have someone else as the "2nd in command" over the program. The crappy and severe evaluation is understandable with the rules and regulations and one particular error I made leaving something out too long. I respect the people there as they allowed me time off when my mom was dying even time wihout pay when I was never formally terminated after an extended leave when my mom was in hospice.

I did want to say that it is encouraging here that such deep conversation on scripture is occuring without fluff lately. Maybe at some point shifting people can take on prayer requests; there are a few which are ongoing. It would be helpful if people would share when prayers are answered; even if it wasn't requested here I'm sure we could all use encouragement.

I will say from my earlier comment on the guy in church today when I asked if I could pray for him since he has some cancer in his face and other issues I was saddened he declined my offer. Maybe he thought I wasn't right in my walk. It saddens me whenever that happens.

One last note; it is very interesting the reforms this Pope is making; the hierarchy of the finances and secrecy is overturned; but sadly he's into one world religion.

Today in church I got a chance to talk in some length with one particular elderly man who clearly is sold out for the Lord as His Word in his real life experience is a testimony. It is refreshing to hear someone who challenges me at times; especially after about 20 minutes of small talk with the rest of the crowd.

Another guy who spoke tonight started attending regularly with his music ministry last year. He was talking about different forms of greed; not just material that included the concept of someone wanting others time and attention on them rather narcissistically.

All this makes me think of my own life in terms of my hobbies and other ventures. I am in the hope that I can possibly team up with my one friend who isa struggling artist and do some sales of things; which would include some coins the dealer isn't interested in but of course others where I could make some profit; as well as a lot of other stuff eventually that formerly belonged to my parents once I am able to sell them. I would appreciate prayer on that subject if that is meant to be; I need to seek God's direction and continue to work on my friendship. It would be a venue where Gospel tracts could be on display along with his book and artwork and also a way potentially he could offer me a cut on some of the profits to pay for the venue.

I guess my point here from the first part of this post is that there is no substitute for in person communication with other believers. This site; as helpful as it is doesn't have direct online video conferencing; but that also is limited. It should be an aide rather than the end all unless we are truly living away from the grid.

My second point is that I will have balance as to investments; I am sort of treating it like a part time job in terms of how much I can realistically make and selling some to help finance my friend. I want to keep some for emergencies but not have a hording mentality.

Have Faith,in Faith

she will take you there

Not at all GiGi. I was simply impressed by how conversant you are in this subject. My understanding of dispensationalism is very basic, only now learning that its implications delve into the area of eschatology as well. If I have not answered your earlier questions well, please let me know; I was simply awaiting any further ones you had for me (or for us).

Dear S. Spencer,

Everything I have presented as questions to Lbooth have been put forward on this site. And, as I have read up on mid-acts dispensationalism, these beliefs I posed in my questions are found in this as well as other dispensational sub-groups. So, even if you do not believe all that I presented, that does not mean that my questions do not represent dispensationalism. You can do your own research on these beliefs within dispensationalism if you would like to do so.

Please know I am truly trying to get serious, precise, and clear answers to my questions.

I do have many others about dispensationalism and how its tenets are proved by Scripture.

And, you know I do not adhere to dispensationalism, but that should not prevent me from asking such questions. And since I am the one asking for clear answers I do not think it is up to me to refute these beliefs from Scripture at this time. I feel that those who believe these tenets should prove them correct by Scripture. I am not asking these questions in order to refute them. I just want to know how dispensationalist prove their view.

Perhaps down the road I will feel led to present my view on such ideas with Scriptural support, but at this time, that is not my aim nor the lead of the Holy Spirit.

I thank you for giving me time to interact with me in this thread. I hope your work week goes very well.

I am sure we will have many future conversations together and I look forward to those as long as they remain respectful and gracious even when we disagree.

May God give you peaceful sleep tonight and good focus on your work this week. May He bless you in your quiet times with Him in prayer and in the Word. May you grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus as I ask the Lord to cause me to do as well.

Hi GiGi. Just to state that my reference to that question being hypothetical, was purely my understanding not anyone else's belief, since I definitely wouldn't agree to it; I don't see any Scriptural support that teaches Jesus would have gone on to establish His kingdom on earth if the Jews would have accepted Him as their Messiah at His first coming. There would be too much else to contend with especially in regards to the sin question, if Jesus was to be installed as King without Sacrifice, since He was "the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world".

Chris,

I wish you well this evening.

I was not trying to peg you into any specific "ism" in dispensationalism. I am sorry if you thought I was.

Lbooth admitted that he was "mid-acts dispensationalist' which teaches many of the questions I asked him to prove by Scripture. He has not responded to my questions, which saddens me because I really want to know how such people Scripturally justify their beliefs on these matters.

If you wish to seriously answer my questions with specifics, I will be happy to read your ideas. God bless you.

Hi Bible Alone. Thanks again for sharing this also. I won't write anymore, as bro. S. Spencer has conveyed my thoughts very clearly. GBU.

Wow GiGi. You've really studied this subject in quite some depth. I did not even realize that there were so many different degrees of "dispensationalism" (& that I might even fall into the 'progressive' category). Not sure if I should pat myself on the back for being found into that maybe elite category. Seriously though, my only exposure to dispensationalism was from a ginormous book of charts by Clarence Larkin. Have never read through it, but have since learned that my dividing the Bible into different epochs of God's dealing with Israel & others, I share similar beliefs to him. And to be clear, I don't believe that affirming these seven (or, more) epochs (dispensations) is necessary for understanding the Bible, but something that I see as evident and of course useful to new Bible readers who are seeking a very general overview of this great mysterious book called the Bible.

So thanks for that GiGi; I would be eager to read, in time, what other questions you might have on this subject, that would stir my understanding at least on the eschatological aspects of it.

Welcome to you Legettj and appreciate you writing in. You're correct that all that the Bible has revealed to us will happen regardless of how much we meditate on & analyse the Scriptures. But for me personally as one who loves and studies the Scriptures, this Site has been a great blessing as I can share with other likeminded brethren what they have learned from their studies & be challenged afresh to what I believe. I don't get this type of "in-depth" spiritual interaction in a Church fellowship, for most I find are content with what they've been taught & are not prepared to dig deep into the Word & allow the Holy Spirit to reveal precious gems of Truth. All I can say is, if one is truly hungry, then only the meat of the Word can fully satisfy. Blessings.

Thank you Bible Alone for those worthy reminders about how we should treat God's Word. Only correct biblical hermeneutics, without personal feelings & inclinations entering in, will reveal the Truth and richness of God's Word. And yes, comparing Scripture with Scripture is essential, and again we need care that Scriptures compared are indeed very relevant to the matter being revealed.

Also, I appreciated your quoting John 18:33-38. I think you were directing our thoughts to Christ's coming Kingdom - that His Kingdom was not of this world. A couple of things came to mind here: Jesus' Mission was not to conquer and subdue His enemies, thus installing a premature kingdom, but to first give His Life for our sins that when He comes again to reign in Jerusalem it will be a Kingdom based on fulfilled prophecy & righteous rule when sin & its despicable author will be chained for a long time & prevented from causing havoc in human hearts.

And this should also remind us that it was never in God's Plan that His children would attempt by force to bring about His Kingdom on Earth (it simply is not our job to do), rather that we should lead holy blameless lives before all, standing sure & being vocal against the rampant sin around us, be instant in sharing the Gospel, and to await the coming of Jesus Who alone will rule and judge righteously. GBU.