Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let US (not me) make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Sometimes people spend their time trying to prove someone else is wrong (must be worried) not leading others to believe in being (born again - new creature), (repentance - turn), faith - hope - charity. Heaven is real, (Hell - lake of fire is real Luke 16:23) Eternity is never ending. Mark 9:44, Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
Dear Nicole, if I understand right you are a Christian and have voluntarily chosen to live in the residence of satanist, is that correct? If following Christ is important to you then why would you live there? Why wouldn't you leave immediately (now)?
Sin is so evil, deadly, and destructive to you that Jesus said in Matthew 5:30 its better to cut off your own arm than to let it cause you to sin. In other words do absolutely anything and everything possible to avoid sin (and avoid going to hell). Do you think following Jesus's words are important?
You have chosen to put yourself in the most vulnerable position one could possibly imagine then are blindly staying there, even though you've already had your faith under attack. If you're not the one influencing the satanist then you can be absolutely assured you are the one being converted and you are the one losing. You're on his turf and seem to be totally unprepared without your 'armor of God' and you put yourselves there in the first place, which is unimagineable. I don't know what you're thinking. Maybe you don't realize what is at stake- our choices have eternal consequences.
The Bible says many times to depart from evil, stay away from it. You have done the opposite. It's great that you are seeking advice here, but what do you expect someone to say- to live with a satanist?
I can only imagine what Jesus, Elijah and Moses were talking about. How cool is that. The Word talks about being healed by even the shadow of an apostle. I believe Lord, please help my unbelief.
You have been given some pretty sound biblical advice here. If I might add, Hebrews 6:4-6 is not talking about a born again believer losing salvation as salvation cannot be lost.
I would like to also share with you what I get from Mark 9:24, the verse you shared. I'm glad you brought this verse up.
It says, "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."
Nowhere in the Bible does it challenge someone to come up with their own faith so that Jesus can perform in your life. That's the cry of a person. I believe, but Lord Help my unbelief because I can't believe. Only God can give me that. Help my unbelief!
It is always the strong point in a person's life when they can approach the Lord, even as a nonbeliever, even if you don't understand the things of God, you can still approach Him and say "Lord, if you are real, make yourself real to me!"
I mean, even a nonbeliever, somebody who doesn't believe in God, they are asking God to do it all because they realize their human inability to figure Him out.
If you have ever looked at the awesomeness of an electrical storm, you can just sense that there is an awesome God behind all of this because this is just a drop in the bucket compared to the universe.
But how are you going to find God? How are you going to know about Him? You know, when you come to Him and say, help my unbelief, I am empty, magnify yourself to me, show yourself to me, because I don't have the ability to know, and He reaches down to those people to manifest Himself.
If you have truly called out to the Lord to save you, His promise is that He will do so ( Romans 10:13). And once you are saved, your salvation can never be lost!
I had some doubts as to whether I believed because that is what I was taught growing up and I was baptised at 15. I have prayed for salvation many times in my life but have also had doubts as to whether I fully believed and was convinced. I also questioned the authenticity and validity of the bible. In trying to research good reasons to convince myself I became discouraged and had a point in time when I was not confident in the Gospel. Yet I thought that losing faith or having any measure of doubt or unbelief would be falling away. I later apologized to God and am not sure if I have ruined any chance of being forgiven. I thought the Holy Spirit would confirm in my heart that I am still a child of God and that Jesus is my Saviour but it has just been sad and uncomfortable. I reached out to family and to a church. The church my family attends never responded to me. The other church I reached out to informed me that " Mark 9:24 shows that belief and unbelief can co-exist in the same mind and heart." I have been searching for the truth and just want to know if God will forgive me.
does the bible name whom the others were who was casting out demons (In the name of Jesus)? The disciples made a complaint to jesus in ( Mark 9:38 and luke 9:49)? Is there a more informative reference to this scripture? Thank you and have a blessed day.
Re: the Lake of Fire. It is prepared for the Devil & his angels ( Matthew 25:41) but is also the place where all Christ-rejecters go to in the final judgement ( Revelation 20:10-15) & particularly verse 15, "whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." And that includes not only the Devil & his angels but also the anti-Christ, the false prophet & all mankind that were not found in the Book of Life.
"Who created such a place?" I would say that God has done this. "Who does "the torturing in hell?" No one - it is a place of continual fire where the act of dying is continual but death that is longed for never comes ( Mark 9:43-48).
And these are not parables by Jesus; Jesus is telling us what lies beyond the grave. And that is why Jesus came to die on our behalf: that we might be spared God's Judgement to enjoy new life on Earth & then eternity in His Presence. As I mentioned before, if just dying & returning to dust was our punishment, the Gospel would be practically meaningless, as we all have to die & enter into such a state of 'oblivion'. But Jesus says that some will awake to "the resurrection of life & some to the resurrection of damnation" ( John 5:29). There is no permanent middle ground at the graveside - we all have to go somewhere else - and that's why the Gospel is so special & precious: it saves a person entirely, both in this life and the next.
As a follower of Jesus,we must have very thick skin.That's because of the rocks that are hurled at us daily.Even by those that read the Bible.Words matter and we will have to give an account of every one of them.
Jesus taught in Mark 9:39-41 about the attitude of a servant.When Jesus bent down to write in the sand twice, what did He write? ( John 8:6:8:8)Jesus recorded my sins and the day He came looking for me and I accepted Him as savior & they where to be never remembered and I became a new man.Was set free saved by the grace of God.The Holy Spirit teaches me all about Gods word.Read the next verse in 2 Tim 3:17 before assuming that a person is an internet prophet.That's the division I wrote about in my post.I posted what was laid on my heart.I spoke the truth.We need to realize that we may be the only Bible that the world will ever read.If we live it. It will show.If we love it.It will show.If we treat all as Jesus commands, with love.It will shine.A house divided can not stand.My first post ever:I wrote of my experience with a church as an evangelist.The Macedonian Call Acts 16:9.And the gospel was presented as comfortable and private. No coming forward as to embarrass anyone of their decision for Christ. That was not a preparation for what Christ followers must and will endure.Jesus sure did not have a very comfortable life being the King of Glory as a man here in this world of pain.He hurt and wept.He taught and prayed.He read the word of God to the people in the temple.Are we not to do as Jesus did? Jesus associated,loved and cared for those who were cast out and least desirable.That's why wrote about denominations.The Gospel is very simple, and man makes it difficult.Please don't twist another mans heart for God by the words that divide.My heart,it breaks daily for a lost and dying world.That's my focus.My Love and Prayers towards all.Our work here is not done.Don't let up or give in.
I believe that we need to understand what 'death' is when seen in the Bible. If you ask a man on the street, he will think of death as just a cessation of life & the body disposed of. But the Bible generally speaks of death as more than cessation of life on Earth, but of the requirement to enter into another dimension. When Adam & Eve were told that they would die if they disobeyed God by eating of that tree, indeed they would experience physical death, but much more, that death would take them into the next dimension of existence. So physical death (as in a deep sleep) is generally understood as a 'curtain' that we pass through into the next life. However, as in John 11:14, Jesus also spoke of just a present bodily death of Lazarus.
So when you read of a Second Death ( Rev 20:14), there must of necessity be a First Death. So the First Death is that first experience that we will enter as we close our eyes to this physical world & become aware of the next world. Even though there are other views on when & how this happens, my understanding is that if we are saved through faith in Jesus, we (our souls) are transported into Heaven (pre-Cross: there was a holding stage where the righteous & unrighteous were held: Luke 16:19-31)). But at Jesus' death & resurrection, those righteous were removed from there.
So the Second Death now only applies to those who have died without Christ, whether from days past or yet in the future. They no longer will be held in Hell suffering awaiting judgement, but at the close of the age, they, together with the Devil, his angels, the Antichrist & Death & Hell itself, will be consigned into the Lake of Fire for all eternity ( Mark 9:43-48). As for those in Heaven or in God's new heaven & earth (Revelation chapter 21) who will live into eternity in God's Presence, so too will those who have been sent to the Lake of Fire, be enveloped in continual flames for all eternity. Some believe in a reprieve - the Bible doesn't indicate this at all.
look up orientalisms of the bible by bishop k.c. pillai many times Our saviour communicated Gods word by eastern thought so to understand that needs to be seen through their thinking. When jesus christ healed a blind man with his spit by mixing his saliva with dirt the man that he ministered too knew he was a Holy man and in their culture a holy mans spit has healing power. Once His fame was spread abroad that he Healed thousands came to Our Master and were heaied because they knew who he was and believed. In a crowd remember the woman who just touched is garment and believed and was healed instantly. Because she believed, whats really cool is we have not literally seen Jesus Christ and yet because we believe Gods Word we can have the same results!
Mark 9:29: "And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." Jesus spoke these words to His disciples when they enquired from Him why they couldn't cast out the evil spirit from the child. However, some manuscripts omit the word "fasting", whereas the KJV which is primarily from the Textus Receptus manuscript includes it.
"What he did at Calvary is gonna apply the blood to everyman no exceptions ." So you believe this includes the rich man in hell who wanted water from Lazarus?
To whom will Jesus say, "I never knew you." Matthew 7:23
People weeping and gnashing of teeth, where the worm dieth not and the fire never quenched. Mark 9:42 - 49
You are heretical in what you are saying, and it appears you are knowingly doing this. I doubt I am the first person to have told you of your error.
There have been many opinions on this verse, indeed on this letter. The truth of the matter is that we don't know her name - it's not given anywhere in Scripture, & some even believing that the 'elect lady' actually refers to a Church & 'her children' being the congregation.
Those that have attempted to give her a name, have simply used the Greek definition for "elect" (eklekte) & "lady" (Kuria) & so named her. But there is no certainty of this. We could also see a similar use of naming folk in Mark 3:17: "And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder." Because of their 'thunderous boldness' ( Luke 9:54, Mark 9:38), Jesus referred to them as 'Boanerges' (Ben-regesh).
One could also assume that John referred to the "elect lady" (Eklekte Kuria) as such because it was not common to refer to women directly by name in a personal letter but he did so inferring her piety & kindness shown other believers, particularly to itinerant preachers passing by her way. Thus the warning also goes out to her about false Christs bringing false doctrines & teaching, even as he warned believers in his first epistle. Yet in his third epistle, John openly referred to Gaius (a man) by name with a similar testimony of his service as was shown by the elect lady in 2 John.
That's an interesting explanation you've given: "No matter what other scriptures you may read you can not change this truth or alter it. It's unchangeable just like God is unchangeable. So you use the light of this truth to understand more truth. If you add to the truth it becomes a lie."
So we have Mt 14:33, "Of a truth thou art the Son of God." And Luke 1:32, "be called the Son of the Highest."
According to your understanding, using these verses to the exclusion of any other verse that could add to the understanding that Jesus is the Christ, the One born of God & called the Son of God, we would have to overlook portions such as John 1:1-14 as 'secondary' & unworthy for inclusion into the primary meaning & understanding of Jesus Christ. So if you consider the John 1 portion as changing or altering the Truth about the Son of God, then how do you arrive at that conclusion? And if it indeed does so, & we thereby do disservice to the Word by including it with God's Son, then I ask, what do we actually do with such Scriptures? Could this Word of God, both very God & with God & then becoming flesh to dwell on the Earth, not actually pertain to Jesus? Then to whom & how are we to read this & understand this? I've tried looking at with all the possibilities I can, but still it hits me as I read it. Even if I don't understand how this can happen, do I have to conclude that this portion has some other meaning?
Using your Romans 6:23 example: "For the wages of sin is death" as all we need to know about this Truth. So if I then read Isaiah 59:2, telling me that my iniquities have separated me from God only, but not consigned me to death, I would be perplexed.
Or Mark 9:43-47: for me to escape hell fire for my sins, all I have to do is to remove my hand or eye or foot that consigns me to hell. Rather, to help me understand further that my sins result in death (both physically & spiritually), it helps to know that I'm separated & also to deal with the trigger for my sin.
Richard, with all due respect to your understanding of Scripture, but I would direct you to Luke 16:19-31, and specifically, verse 23: "And in hell (Gk. Hades) he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom." And verse 28: "For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment."
And Mark 9:43,44: "And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell (Gk. geennan, or Gehenna), into the fire that never shall be quenched, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."
This is the sad state of all those who reject Christ & His Gospel - eternal torment awaits them & for this cause the Gospel has to be preached so that men may know the Truth & flee the torment to come. Let's not get trapped in the JW teaching of only death awaiting the sinner - if only ultimately death with little or no suffering, then why flee to the One Who gave His Life to save us from God's Wrath & Judgement. As I ask this to the JWs who visit me (or, used to visit), what then is your Gospel? Is it only to be able to be a part of God's Kingdom or perish into the dust if we reject the Gospel? There's nothing to flee from. If that was the choice given to me, I doubt if I would be moved to convert - yes, it would be lovely to experience eternal life with the Lord, but if it meant that the other option was just to disappear into the earth, then that's not much reason to change my lifestyle. Many believe that now: that there's no God & nothing after the grave. I came to the Lord because of the Spirit's Work of conviction in my heart, of Who God is & that His Judgements against the sinner are certain & that there is eternal suffering for those who reject His offer. It would be lovely to think that a sinner can eventually find freedom from torment but for Revelation 21:8.
Thanks for your reply, Claire, & I'm sure there are many who are lifting you up before the Lord including about your place of worship, the people there & your family situation. The Lord hears you & as you keep your heart & mind affixed upon Him & express full faith in spite of your circumstances, you will find the Lord opening up the way before you.
Faith is what moves the Hand of God. Mark 9:23, 24: "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."
I took a cursory look at the "The Way Prepared" site, particularly on 'Our Greatest Hindrance' & 'Ten Commandments' & though they gave a thorough dealing with the subjects, I had some serious misgivings with their teaching as they don't conform entirely to what I understand are scriptural Truths.
Just one more point on The Church. I picked up on this conversation you were having. To state, that 'Church' in the Bible always points to 'a group of people, a congregation, a gathering for religious purposes'. The Greek word is 'ekklesia'. It never speaks of a building - the Church is a living organism: the Body of Christ: 1 Corinthians 12:27, "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." And verse 28, describes some of the appointments & functions within this Body, the Church. However, it wouldn't be wrong to say that 'we're off to Church today' as applying to a building/location but the meaning is essentially to the Body of believers. Every blessing to you as you wait on the Lord.
Verily I say unto you ... - To encourage them, he assured them that, though his kingdom was now obscure and despised - though he was cast out and little known - yet the time was near when he would be regarded in a different manner, and his kingdom be established with great power.
This cannot refer to the end of the world, and there is no need of referring it to the destruction of Jerusalem.
Taste of death - That is, die. Before they die they shall see this.
Son of man coming in his kingdom - Mark and Luke have explained this: Mark 9:1, "Until they have seen the kingdom of God come with power;" Luke 9:27, "Till they see the kingdom of God." The meaning evidently is, "till they shall see my kingdom," i. e., my church, now small, feeble, and despised, greatly enlarged, established, and spreading with great rapidity and extent. All this was accomplished. All these apostles, except Judas, lived to see the wonders of the day of Pentecost; some of them, John particularly, saw the Jewish nation scattered, the temple destroyed, the gospel established in Asia, Rome, Greece, and in a large part of the known world.
This commentary better describes what this scripture realistically means. These things happened before all the disciples (except John) had been killed.
Mark 9:42 - And whosoever shall offend one of [these] little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
John, the possession of humans by evil spirits is very real. Even when looking at examples of this in the Bible, where Jesus dealt with them (e.g. Luke 4:33-36; Mark 9:20-27; Matthew 17:14-18; etc.) we know that this demonic activity was very much evident in those days as it is in ours. As Mishael has warned, that fooling around with occultic practices, even laying open our minds by use of drugs or pursuit of demonic religions, makes one highly susceptible to demonic possession, or oppression.
My personal experience of one such occasion was when sharing in a Bible study in another country. My passage was actually on 1 Peter chapter 3, sharing with families in that respect. So, it was a study not essentially on the Cross or victory over Satan, etc., yet a lady in our midst appeared overcome with heaviness (sadness on her face) & later began to shake a little & then uncontrollably. I thought it weird given the passage of Scripture being looked at, but had later come to realize that when God's powerful Word is opened & read, then the spirits are also troubled. Indeed, "the devils (i.e. demons) believe & tremble" (Js 2:19). That woman wasn't shaking because of an affliction or being moved by my teaching: those which possessed her were agitated at the reading of God's Word. The end of that, was that my indigenous brother took charge & dispatched that evil spirit from out of her. She fell onto the bench she was sitting on & later recovered smiling & joining us in sweet fellowship, being freed from her torment. After some days, we visited her to see how she & her family were doing: and PTL they were all overjoyed in her release & being normal & useful in the home.
I just share the above to give you a personal witness of such things that go on all the time. Evil forces surround us, many succumb in different ways, but to the child of the Living God, he walks on with joy & confidence, knowing that "greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world (Js 4:4).
Greetings Patti, Elias is the Greek rending of the name. Thus proving the new testament was written in Greek, not Hebrew as some claim. Many of Paul's letters or epistles were to Churches in Greek cities, Ephesians, Corinthians etc.
Patti, you're correct, Elijah (Hebrew) is the same as Elias (Latin/Greek). In Hebrew, his name is actually Eliyyahu, which means "Yahweh is my God", but we say, Elijah, for easier vocalization in English. In Arabic/Urdu, it is, Ilyas.
Janet, are you referring to Mark 9:17-27? If so, then the account is of Jesus coming over to a company of people & some Jewish religious leaders (Scribes) were questioning Jesus' disciples. Apparently, a man had a son with a 'dumb spirit'. This may not mean as we read it, but quite likely there was an evil spirit inhabiting this boy that produced lunacy or even epilepsy in the child & could also have rendered the boy speaking gibberish. And this was a particularly violent spirit, as from the account. So, Jesus' disciples ask Him, why could they not cast out this demon (as maybe they had done on other occasions)? This type of spirit required much reliance on God for removal (= prayer & fasting), Jesus said. We don't know how an evil spirit came to indwell this lad, but when we see so much of satanic worship & delving into the spirit world today, that so many do ignorantly, we can expect more of this demonic possession & oppression.
43-48 JESUS mind remains on SALVATION for them and us. Example, JESUS warns them and us of consequences from 3 pleasurable sins that gladly walk us into hell if we allow them to. But JESUS walks us into SALVATION, see John 3:16-21, thereby EMPOWER us as in verse 50 above, especially with PEACE from GOD.
Thank you Lord I am searching for you because you have been faithful to me so now I can hear you instead of being distracted as I am letting so much unimportant thin vs take me away from you.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Sometimes people spend their time trying to prove someone else is wrong (must be worried) not leading others to believe in being (born again - new creature), (repentance - turn), faith - hope - charity. Heaven is real, (Hell - lake of fire is real Luke 16:23) Eternity is never ending. Mark 9:44, Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
The Word is GOD.
The two witnesses are not the 144K, neither Elijah, nor Moses, nor Enoch, as have been invented by the spirit of man.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches.
Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:v.8
For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. Mark 9:v.49
Sin is so evil, deadly, and destructive to you that Jesus said in Matthew 5:30 its better to cut off your own arm than to let it cause you to sin. In other words do absolutely anything and everything possible to avoid sin (and avoid going to hell). Do you think following Jesus's words are important?
You have chosen to put yourself in the most vulnerable position one could possibly imagine then are blindly staying there, even though you've already had your faith under attack. If you're not the one influencing the satanist then you can be absolutely assured you are the one being converted and you are the one losing. You're on his turf and seem to be totally unprepared without your 'armor of God' and you put yourselves there in the first place, which is unimagineable. I don't know what you're thinking. Maybe you don't realize what is at stake- our choices have eternal consequences.
The Bible says many times to depart from evil, stay away from it. You have done the opposite. It's great that you are seeking advice here, but what do you expect someone to say- to live with a satanist?
Psalm 37:27-29
Psalm 34:14
Mark 9:43
God bless...
You have been given some pretty sound biblical advice here. If I might add, Hebrews 6:4-6 is not talking about a born again believer losing salvation as salvation cannot be lost.
I would like to also share with you what I get from Mark 9:24, the verse you shared. I'm glad you brought this verse up.
It says, "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."
Nowhere in the Bible does it challenge someone to come up with their own faith so that Jesus can perform in your life. That's the cry of a person. I believe, but Lord Help my unbelief because I can't believe. Only God can give me that. Help my unbelief!
It is always the strong point in a person's life when they can approach the Lord, even as a nonbeliever, even if you don't understand the things of God, you can still approach Him and say "Lord, if you are real, make yourself real to me!"
I mean, even a nonbeliever, somebody who doesn't believe in God, they are asking God to do it all because they realize their human inability to figure Him out.
If you have ever looked at the awesomeness of an electrical storm, you can just sense that there is an awesome God behind all of this because this is just a drop in the bucket compared to the universe.
But how are you going to find God? How are you going to know about Him? You know, when you come to Him and say, help my unbelief, I am empty, magnify yourself to me, show yourself to me, because I don't have the ability to know, and He reaches down to those people to manifest Himself.
If you have truly called out to the Lord to save you, His promise is that He will do so ( Romans 10:13). And once you are saved, your salvation can never be lost!
Re: the Lake of Fire. It is prepared for the Devil & his angels ( Matthew 25:41) but is also the place where all Christ-rejecters go to in the final judgement ( Revelation 20:10-15) & particularly verse 15, "whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." And that includes not only the Devil & his angels but also the anti-Christ, the false prophet & all mankind that were not found in the Book of Life.
"Who created such a place?" I would say that God has done this. "Who does "the torturing in hell?" No one - it is a place of continual fire where the act of dying is continual but death that is longed for never comes ( Mark 9:43-48).
And these are not parables by Jesus; Jesus is telling us what lies beyond the grave. And that is why Jesus came to die on our behalf: that we might be spared God's Judgement to enjoy new life on Earth & then eternity in His Presence. As I mentioned before, if just dying & returning to dust was our punishment, the Gospel would be practically meaningless, as we all have to die & enter into such a state of 'oblivion'. But Jesus says that some will awake to "the resurrection of life & some to the resurrection of damnation" ( John 5:29). There is no permanent middle ground at the graveside - we all have to go somewhere else - and that's why the Gospel is so special & precious: it saves a person entirely, both in this life and the next.
Jesus taught in Mark 9:39-41 about the attitude of a servant.When Jesus bent down to write in the sand twice, what did He write? ( John 8:6:8:8)Jesus recorded my sins and the day He came looking for me and I accepted Him as savior & they where to be never remembered and I became a new man.Was set free saved by the grace of God.The Holy Spirit teaches me all about Gods word.Read the next verse in 2 Tim 3:17 before assuming that a person is an internet prophet.That's the division I wrote about in my post.I posted what was laid on my heart.I spoke the truth.We need to realize that we may be the only Bible that the world will ever read.If we live it. It will show.If we love it.It will show.If we treat all as Jesus commands, with love.It will shine.A house divided can not stand.My first post ever:I wrote of my experience with a church as an evangelist.The Macedonian Call Acts 16:9.And the gospel was presented as comfortable and private. No coming forward as to embarrass anyone of their decision for Christ. That was not a preparation for what Christ followers must and will endure.Jesus sure did not have a very comfortable life being the King of Glory as a man here in this world of pain.He hurt and wept.He taught and prayed.He read the word of God to the people in the temple.Are we not to do as Jesus did? Jesus associated,loved and cared for those who were cast out and least desirable.That's why wrote about denominations.The Gospel is very simple, and man makes it difficult.Please don't twist another mans heart for God by the words that divide.My heart,it breaks daily for a lost and dying world.That's my focus.My Love and Prayers towards all.Our work here is not done.Don't let up or give in.
Still Sowing The Seeds Until His Great Harvest
John E.Dillard,Sr.
So when you read of a Second Death ( Rev 20:14), there must of necessity be a First Death. So the First Death is that first experience that we will enter as we close our eyes to this physical world & become aware of the next world. Even though there are other views on when & how this happens, my understanding is that if we are saved through faith in Jesus, we (our souls) are transported into Heaven (pre-Cross: there was a holding stage where the righteous & unrighteous were held: Luke 16:19-31)). But at Jesus' death & resurrection, those righteous were removed from there.
So the Second Death now only applies to those who have died without Christ, whether from days past or yet in the future. They no longer will be held in Hell suffering awaiting judgement, but at the close of the age, they, together with the Devil, his angels, the Antichrist & Death & Hell itself, will be consigned into the Lake of Fire for all eternity ( Mark 9:43-48). As for those in Heaven or in God's new heaven & earth (Revelation chapter 21) who will live into eternity in God's Presence, so too will those who have been sent to the Lake of Fire, be enveloped in continual flames for all eternity. Some believe in a reprieve - the Bible doesn't indicate this at all.
To whom will Jesus say, "I never knew you." Matthew 7:23
People weeping and gnashing of teeth, where the worm dieth not and the fire never quenched. Mark 9:42 - 49
You are heretical in what you are saying, and it appears you are knowingly doing this. I doubt I am the first person to have told you of your error.
Those that have attempted to give her a name, have simply used the Greek definition for "elect" (eklekte) & "lady" (Kuria) & so named her. But there is no certainty of this. We could also see a similar use of naming folk in Mark 3:17: "And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder." Because of their 'thunderous boldness' ( Luke 9:54, Mark 9:38), Jesus referred to them as 'Boanerges' (Ben-regesh).
One could also assume that John referred to the "elect lady" (Eklekte Kuria) as such because it was not common to refer to women directly by name in a personal letter but he did so inferring her piety & kindness shown other believers, particularly to itinerant preachers passing by her way. Thus the warning also goes out to her about false Christs bringing false doctrines & teaching, even as he warned believers in his first epistle. Yet in his third epistle, John openly referred to Gaius (a man) by name with a similar testimony of his service as was shown by the elect lady in 2 John.
you all have stated is outright incorrect.
Very little of it is in the truth of God.
For example if you commit a sin you are a servant to sin.
There is no exceptions to it. NONE!
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Do you believe the children of God commit sin and are the servants of sin?
If you do then not only are you a child of the devil but you are a deceived child of the devil.
And if you willfully commit a sin there is sacrifice for it.
There is no exceptions to it. NONE!
Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.
Do you believe the children of God commits sin willfully after that they have received the knowledge of the truth?
If you do then not only are you a child of the devil but you are a deceived child of the devil.
And if you sin you do not have the Holy Spirit.
You have the unholy spirit.
Hence why they call it the Holy Spirit for it is HOLY!
Sin is not HOLY!
Born Again Sinners
Disobedient Believers of God
The Christian world is full of them. What do you think is going to happen to them in the end?
If it were possible would any of you want to cease from committing any sin?
Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
SO WHY ARE YOU STILL CONTINUING IN YOUR SINS?
So we have Mt 14:33, "Of a truth thou art the Son of God." And Luke 1:32, "be called the Son of the Highest."
According to your understanding, using these verses to the exclusion of any other verse that could add to the understanding that Jesus is the Christ, the One born of God & called the Son of God, we would have to overlook portions such as John 1:1-14 as 'secondary' & unworthy for inclusion into the primary meaning & understanding of Jesus Christ. So if you consider the John 1 portion as changing or altering the Truth about the Son of God, then how do you arrive at that conclusion? And if it indeed does so, & we thereby do disservice to the Word by including it with God's Son, then I ask, what do we actually do with such Scriptures? Could this Word of God, both very God & with God & then becoming flesh to dwell on the Earth, not actually pertain to Jesus? Then to whom & how are we to read this & understand this? I've tried looking at with all the possibilities I can, but still it hits me as I read it. Even if I don't understand how this can happen, do I have to conclude that this portion has some other meaning?
Using your Romans 6:23 example: "For the wages of sin is death" as all we need to know about this Truth. So if I then read Isaiah 59:2, telling me that my iniquities have separated me from God only, but not consigned me to death, I would be perplexed.
Or Mark 9:43-47: for me to escape hell fire for my sins, all I have to do is to remove my hand or eye or foot that consigns me to hell. Rather, to help me understand further that my sins result in death (both physically & spiritually), it helps to know that I'm separated & also to deal with the trigger for my sin.
And Mark 9:43,44: "And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell (Gk. geennan, or Gehenna), into the fire that never shall be quenched, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."
This is the sad state of all those who reject Christ & His Gospel - eternal torment awaits them & for this cause the Gospel has to be preached so that men may know the Truth & flee the torment to come. Let's not get trapped in the JW teaching of only death awaiting the sinner - if only ultimately death with little or no suffering, then why flee to the One Who gave His Life to save us from God's Wrath & Judgement. As I ask this to the JWs who visit me (or, used to visit), what then is your Gospel? Is it only to be able to be a part of God's Kingdom or perish into the dust if we reject the Gospel? There's nothing to flee from. If that was the choice given to me, I doubt if I would be moved to convert - yes, it would be lovely to experience eternal life with the Lord, but if it meant that the other option was just to disappear into the earth, then that's not much reason to change my lifestyle. Many believe that now: that there's no God & nothing after the grave. I came to the Lord because of the Spirit's Work of conviction in my heart, of Who God is & that His Judgements against the sinner are certain & that there is eternal suffering for those who reject His offer. It would be lovely to think that a sinner can eventually find freedom from torment but for Revelation 21:8.
Faith is what moves the Hand of God. Mark 9:23, 24: "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."
I took a cursory look at the "The Way Prepared" site, particularly on 'Our Greatest Hindrance' & 'Ten Commandments' & though they gave a thorough dealing with the subjects, I had some serious misgivings with their teaching as they don't conform entirely to what I understand are scriptural Truths.
Just one more point on The Church. I picked up on this conversation you were having. To state, that 'Church' in the Bible always points to 'a group of people, a congregation, a gathering for religious purposes'. The Greek word is 'ekklesia'. It never speaks of a building - the Church is a living organism: the Body of Christ: 1 Corinthians 12:27, "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." And verse 28, describes some of the appointments & functions within this Body, the Church. However, it wouldn't be wrong to say that 'we're off to Church today' as applying to a building/location but the meaning is essentially to the Body of believers. Every blessing to you as you wait on the Lord.
Verily I say unto you ... - To encourage them, he assured them that, though his kingdom was now obscure and despised - though he was cast out and little known - yet the time was near when he would be regarded in a different manner, and his kingdom be established with great power.
This cannot refer to the end of the world, and there is no need of referring it to the destruction of Jerusalem.
Taste of death - That is, die. Before they die they shall see this.
Son of man coming in his kingdom - Mark and Luke have explained this: Mark 9:1, "Until they have seen the kingdom of God come with power;" Luke 9:27, "Till they see the kingdom of God." The meaning evidently is, "till they shall see my kingdom," i. e., my church, now small, feeble, and despised, greatly enlarged, established, and spreading with great rapidity and extent. All this was accomplished. All these apostles, except Judas, lived to see the wonders of the day of Pentecost; some of them, John particularly, saw the Jewish nation scattered, the temple destroyed, the gospel established in Asia, Rome, Greece, and in a large part of the known world.
This commentary better describes what this scripture realistically means. These things happened before all the disciples (except John) had been killed.
My personal experience of one such occasion was when sharing in a Bible study in another country. My passage was actually on 1 Peter chapter 3, sharing with families in that respect. So, it was a study not essentially on the Cross or victory over Satan, etc., yet a lady in our midst appeared overcome with heaviness (sadness on her face) & later began to shake a little & then uncontrollably. I thought it weird given the passage of Scripture being looked at, but had later come to realize that when God's powerful Word is opened & read, then the spirits are also troubled. Indeed, "the devils (i.e. demons) believe & tremble" (Js 2:19). That woman wasn't shaking because of an affliction or being moved by my teaching: those which possessed her were agitated at the reading of God's Word. The end of that, was that my indigenous brother took charge & dispatched that evil spirit from out of her. She fell onto the bench she was sitting on & later recovered smiling & joining us in sweet fellowship, being freed from her torment. After some days, we visited her to see how she & her family were doing: and PTL they were all overjoyed in her release & being normal & useful in the home.
I just share the above to give you a personal witness of such things that go on all the time. Evil forces surround us, many succumb in different ways, but to the child of the Living God, he walks on with joy & confidence, knowing that "greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world (Js 4:4).