Results 561 - 580 of 749
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: mark d seyler Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
561 | Unkown ? | Bible general Archive 3 | mark d seyler | 161353 | ||
Hi Anthony40, Welcome to the forum! :-) This statement is from the "Congregation of Yahweh" website, www.yahsaves.org. We know that our name for God, as many say "Jehovah", and some say "Yahweh", has come to us without actual vowels, so we really don't know how it is pronounced. There is a good case to be made for "Yahweh", but not from Biblical sources, so therefore not infallible. So really, all we know for certain is the unpronouncable "YHWH". When you compare Zechariah 14 with Acts 2 and Revelation 19, regarding the return of Jesus, it's very clear that YHWH and Jesus, or Jehoshua, are one and the same Person. There are many other scriptures as well that demonstrate this. There is no real mystery in translating languages from one to another. The Son of God, as He walked the earth, was called Jehoshua (as I understand things - I am not a Hebrew scholar). As He was written about in Greek, they called Him by the Greek translation of His name, 'Iesous (Yay-sooce). As Greek was translated to English, we now call Him Jesus. Some people call me Marco. That's my name in their language. The New Testament was inspired by the Holy Spirit, written in Greek, calling the Son 'Iesous. If the Holy Spirit can call Him 'Iesous, then I do not see a difficulty calling Him Jesus, although, if you want be completely accurate, His name is Jehoshua. There is a "Hebrew Names" version of the Bible, available on line, and in bookstores, that uses the transliterated Hebrew names where appropriate, if you are more comfortable with that. Regarding this "Congregation of Yahweh", aside from declaring that they "know" the true name of God, and and that everyone else is missing the boat, which I have a problem with for the reasons I've already explained, in their "beliefs" page they deny that the Holy Spirit is God, denying the Trinity. If you wish to view information on the Biblical foundation for the triune nature of God, used "advanced search", search for posts by me containing the word "Trinity". I have recently posted a few, and many others have as well. I hope this helps! Love in Christ, Mark |
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562 | Unkown ? | Bible general Archive 3 | mark d seyler | 161352 | ||
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563 | End Days | Rev 12:9 | mark d seyler | 161282 | ||
Hi Jason, Regarding your third question, I think you may be refering the the "catching away" of the saints, commonly called the "rapture". Here is some information on that. If you have something different in mind, just let me know. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 “Because the Lord Himself shall come down from Heaven with a commanding shout of an archangel's voice, and with God's trumpet. And the dead in Christ will rise again first. “Then we who remain alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to a meeting with the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. So, then, comfort each other with these words.” LITV 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 “Behold, I speak a mystery to you: we shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in a glance of an eye, at the last trumpet; for a trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed.” Caught up. From the Greek Harpadzo. Rapture, from the Latin “rapiemur” in the Vulgate (Latin translation). The abrupt catching away of the Church by Jesus. The rapture is characterized by three events: the dead in Christ are raised, the living believers are changed, and we all meet Jesus. This is one of several end-times resurrection/translation events: •The resurrection of the two witnesses in Rev. 11. This only involves these two prophets. •The translation of the 144,000. In Rev 14:1-3, these sealed men are gathered to Mount Zion, then without further ado are before the throne. This only happens to the 144,000. •The resurrection of the tribulation martyrs in Rev. 20:4. This speaks of those who were beheaded because of the witness of Jesus, and not worshiping the beast. This refers to resurrection only, and does not include “we who are alive and remain”. •The resurrection of the Old Testament saints (Job 19:25-26, Dan 12:11-13). Daniel will “stand in his lot at the end of the days”, i.e. the end of the 70th week, the cleansing of the temple, and the judgment of the nations. This would be at the beginning of the 1000-year reign. This resurrection does not involve the church. •The resurrection in Rev. 20:12-15 at the Great White Throne, this is not the redeemed, the living are not changed, their destination is the lake of fire. The rapture is different from these. Again, there is a lot of disagreement over when this takes place, and if you search the archives for "rapture" you will be able to see many of the debates. I have written about a 10,000 word article on what I believe, you can email me for it if you want to read it. The Bible does not clarify whether or not all children will be taken. There are various speculations about this, but we are not told. I hope this helps. Again, if this is not what you were thinking of, let me know. Love in Christ Mark |
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564 | Saving Knowledge | Acts 10:1 | mark d seyler | 161273 | ||
Hi Gospelpearl, How about Cornelius? He had a vision, he sent for Peter according to the angel's word, was converted, and baptized? I hope this helps! Love in Christ, Mark |
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565 | End Days | Rev 12:9 | mark d seyler | 161271 | ||
Hi Jason, Regarding the temple of the end times: Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. 2Th 2:4 Who (the man of lawlessness) opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) These passages all refer to the temple. Daniel speaks of the sacrifices, which can only be made with a temple. The Jews had to stop offering sacrifices when the temple was destroyed in 70 AD. Jesus and Paul specifically name the temple being involved in this "abomination of desolation". From these passages we know that the temple will exist. It doesn't now, ergo it must be rebuilt. Many think that this will be a part of the seven year covenant, but the Bible is not specific about that. We only know that it will be built, and then desecrated half-way through the seven year covenant. You may want to visit www.templeinstitute.org. I hope this helps. Love in Christ, Mark |
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566 | End Days | Rev 12:9 | mark d seyler | 161268 | ||
Hi Jason, There are a wide variety of teachings of the end times, some will be correct, some will be mistaken, and some will be deception. Satan, called "the deceiver of the whold world", will try to rob God's children from the blessing of the revelation (revealing, not concealing) of God's plans. Amos 3:7 For the Lord Jehovah will do nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. We understand that Satan will possess the "antichrist", or properly called the "beast from the sea" (Rev. 13). This person, the beast, has quite a few names throughout the Bible, and will be the final gentile world ruler. The basis for saying Satan will possess the beast is a separate study in and of itself, so I will focus on your questions. In a nutshell, a world ruler will rise up, consolidate the control of the whole earth (although not without continuing warfare), and will be empowered, and probibly possessed by Satan. Through this person Satan will attempt to deceive the entire world. Here are some of the verses addressing deception: Mat 24:24 For false christs and false prophets will rise up. And they will give great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. This is plural false christs and prophets, and would speak of ones from Rev. Moon to the guy on the corner. This could also include the two beasts from Rev. 13. The beast from the earth is refered to as the false prophet (Rev. 19:20). These will deceive the elect, if possible. This does not say that these will deceive the elect, but that they will if possible, so it may not be possible for them to. Or perhaps some may fail, but others succeed. There is some difference of opinion as well as whether these elect refer to the church, which had not been named at this time, or to Israel, which had been called God's elect for many centuries, or to both. As far as you personally, consider 1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Another is 2 Thess 2:9 His (this final gentile ruler)coming is according to the working of Satan in all power and miraculous signs and lying wonders, 10 and in all deceit of unrighteousness in those being lost, because they did not receive the love of the truth in order for them to be saved. 11 And because of this, God will send to them a working of error, for them to believe the lie, Here is is clearly the unrighteous that are deceived, as God sends to them the working of error (they won't be thinking right). God does this to seal their fate. Another is Rev 13:13 And it (the beast from the earth) does great signs, that it even causes fire to come down out of the heaven onto the earth before men. 14 And it deceives those dwelling on the earth, because of the signs which were given to it to do before the beast, An interesting study to do, and I recommend it, is to look at every place in the Revelation that this phase "those dwelling on the earth", or similar, is used. This will tell you a lot about the majority of people on the planet during those days. The beast will deceive a great many people, but we know it will not deceive everyone. Jews will flee, having been deceived, but deceived no longer (Rev. 12). Some will choose death instead of beast-worship (Rev. 20:4). Some will survive to the end of the 70th week remaining true to Jesus (Matt 25:34). I will answer your other questions separately. Love in Christ, Mark |
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567 | The Trinity and being tormented forever | Rev 14:9 | mark d seyler | 161254 | ||
Hi Towanda, Here is some information on the triune nature of God. I hope you find this useful. - Mark Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, Elohim. . .” Elohim is the plural form for “God”, which is a very strange way to speak of Him. In Deuteronomy 6:4 we read “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.” In Hebrew, this is “YHWH Elohim, YHWH echad” – echad means to be unified. First used in Genesis 1:4 “and there was evening, and there was morning, one day” – a day made of two parts that were unified. Echad is used of one object or person, but is also used of compound unities, such as the first day. Echad is used of the married couple “the two shall become one (echad) flesh” “YHWH Elohim (Plural God) YHWH unified” This leads us to the doctrine called The Trinity, or Triune God. God identifies Himself as YHWH, but also is called the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each of these are separate and distinct persons, each are God, and yet we know the “LORD is One.” Perhaps the clearest picture of our Triune God is at the baptism of Jesus. Matthew 3:16 “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 2 Samuel 23:2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God with us). Matthew 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit Each are called God: Jude 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. Each acts in the same capacities as God: Creating: Malachi 2:10 Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? Colossians 1:16 (of Jesus) For by him were all things created, Job 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. Psalm 148:5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. John 1:3 (of Jesus) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Gives to us eternal life: Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Raised Jesus from the dead: 1 Corinthians 6:14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit: Everywhere at once (omnipresent): Jereriah 23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. Ephesians 1:23 (of Jesus) Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Psalm 139:7-8 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. Saves us: 2 Thessalonians 2:13 God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Titus 3:5-6 according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. So we find in the scripture that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are each individuals, each are God, and that there is only One God. There are many ways people use to try to describe or understand this doctrine (teaching) of the Trinity, all fall short. |
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568 | Is it wrong to date non-christians? | 2 Corinthians | mark d seyler | 161182 | ||
Dear Confused and Sad, Lead Pipe gave you a good answer. I too have seen lives destroyed by this mistake. Paul states a plain principle, which is to be followed: Do not be joined together with unbelievers. I do not want to tell you hard and difficult things, but the truth is, if I didn't, I wouldn't be loving you. If this fellow was "the one", the perfect guy for you, he would be a strong Christian man, capable of obeying Ephesians 5, "husbands, love your wives as Christ loves the church." Without being a strong Christian, it is impossible to obey that scripture. And why should you settle for less? Paul reaffirms God's position on marrying, in 1 Cor 7:49, to marry "in the Lord". In Eph 5, God commands wives to submit to their husbands. Can you willingly enter into a relationship, intent on both obeying God, and obeying a man who does not obey God? This is a contradiction. My sister-in-law, a Christian, married an unbeliever. He's a really great guy, I like him a lot. He good with their kids. But the division in their household has caused all manner of pain to this woman. The children are growing up learning that it really doesn't matter how you believe in God, or even whether you do believe in God, because they watch both Mommy and Daddy. And she has found that it is impossible to actually be close to him, and for him to truly understand her, because "the natural man does not understand spiritual things." 1 Cor 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. There is one other point I wish to address. When you say, "God is not answering my prayers", this is a big red flag. There is only one reason why we sometimes may not receive His guidance, and that is when we don't want to hear Him, because we don't like what He is telling us. I wonder that perhaps you know very well what our Lord is saying to you. The One you need to please is God. There is way that seems right to man, but it ends in death. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don't lean on you own understanding. Acknowledge Him in your whole life, and He will show you what to do, and where to walk. God loves you, and is trying to spare you a lifetime of pain. I love you too, and I am praying for you! In Christ, Mark |
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569 | Signs | Matt 24:1 | mark d seyler | 161164 | ||
Hi Jason, Some of the primary passages are: Daniel 7-9 Matt 24 Mark 13 Luke 17, 21 There is much much more as well. I would suggest that you begin by reading the passages in Daniel, Matt, Mark, and Luke first. As you read the gospel passages, look not only at the similarities, but also at the differences. I would strongly suggest that you spend the time reading and re-reading what the Bible says about the end times before turning to a commentary or website. If you do use a commentary of whatever kind, check everything against the Bible. If you use a concordance, look up every reference to the "Day of the LORD", "last days", and "latter days". Much of Isaiah, Obidiah, Zephaniah, and Zechariah, 1 and 2 Thess, 2 Peter, and more, are devoted to this subject. There is a lot of material in the Bible related to this, so be patient. God will reward your diligence. I hope this helps! Love in Christ, Mark |
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570 | The Trinity and being tormented forever | Rev 14:9 | mark d seyler | 161079 | ||
Hi Towanda, Regarding the Trinity, or the triune nature of God, I would like to again direct you to the archives, and esp. to a post written by CDBJ, 73314. Another pair of posts I recommend to you were written by Tim Moran, 76339 and 76344. These were written specifically regarding the impact of the doctrine of the Trinity on the JW teaching. And I'd like to step up on my soapbox for a moment, to say to everyone, there is an amazing amount of information and good teaching in the archives! As always, check it out according to scripture, but I encourage everyone when you have a question, try the search function. If you don't find what you are looking for, please ask. We don't want anyone going away hungry! :-) Love in Christ, Mark |
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571 | The Trinity and being tormented forever | Rev 14:9 | mark d seyler | 161072 | ||
Hi Towanda, Regarding eternal torment, this is quoted from a post I wrote to someone asking the same question: The common expression of "forever and ever", is (transliterated): Tous aionas (accusative plural) ton aionon (genitive plural). This is literally translated "to the ages of the ages". Aion, or "age" comes from the root "aei", meaning continued duration: "always", or "ever". Examples are 1 Peter 3:15 "be ready always to give an answer", and Acts 7:51 "ye do always resist the Holy Spirit." This is the phase used to describe God's eternal nature: Re 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore (tous aionas ton aionon), Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Rev 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever (tous aionas ton aionon), This is the same phrase used to describe the torment of those who worship the beast: Rev 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever (tous aionas ton aionon): and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. This is also what describes the torment of the devil, the antichrist, and the false prophet: Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever (tous aionas ton aionon). Torment, from "basanismos", also appears in Rev 9:5, in the plague of "locusts" from the pit. They are given power to torment 5 months. During this time, people will not be able to die. This torment is not anihilation. It is torment. In the same way, the unredeemed will experience everlasting punishment. Regarding Matt 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell," the word translated "destroy" is from the Greek "apollumi". It is variously translated as perish, destroy, lose, and to be lost. Again going to Thayer's Lexicon, he defines this as "to destroy, to render useless, to kill, to perish, to be lost, to be ruined, destroyed." This is the word used in Luke 15:4 of a lost sheep. It is used in Luke 15:8 of a lost coin. It is used in Luke 15:24 of the prodigal son "he was lost, and is found." From these examples we know that apollumi is not neccessarily speaking of complete and total destruction, since in each of these instances that which was "apollumi - lost" was later found. As much as I would like to think that those who reject Jesus will one day no longer exist, will no longer be aware of the agonizing consequence of their choice, I do not believe that is what the Bible teaches. Just as the redeemed experience everlasting life, the unredeemed experience everlasting punishment. As the LORD lives forever and ever, so also the smoke of the torment of the unredeemed ascends forever and ever. There is much more to this discussion. If you wish to read many objections to the doctrine of eternal torment, and answers to those objections, the entire thread begins with post 156647, and especially in the posts between myself and SBoone. I hope this helps! If you need more information, let me know. Love in Christ, Mark |
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572 | Relationship with Jesus | John 14:15 | mark d seyler | 161052 | ||
Hi Jason, I could, but there is a 5,000 characture limit, and I would need about 458,000 charactures! ;-) There are many things that Jesus has told us to do, which are simply put as: Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, Love your neighbor as you do yourself. But then there is much detail given as well. Help those in need. Think about good things. Take care of your body. Be ready to give an answer for the hope within you. You will spend the rest of your life learning what God wants you to do. That is, so long as you continue to do what He has shown to you today. Prepare your heart to serve the Lord. Set aside lesser things. The Holy Spirit will guide you. Col 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule (arbitrate or decide) in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful." I would suggest that you read Colossians 3. Read it several times through in one sitting, in prayer that God would show you how to apply these things to yourself. He will! Love in Christ, Mark |
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573 | Relationship with Jesus | John 14:15 | mark d seyler | 161050 | ||
Hi Jason, Jesus said, (John 14:15) "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." So many of us say we love Jesus, so there's the big question: Do we keep His commandments? Are we doing what He told us to do? The leapfrogs into the question you are asking. Is what I am doing bringing glory to God? Is what I am doing done for Jesus? You really can't be doing something for Jesus if it's not something He has asked you to do. (I really wish you had picked a different example than TV, the Lord is already convicting me on my TV watching, thank you very much!) Jesus said (Matt 11:29) "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul." This is working side-by-side with Jesus. What a wonderful way to see a relationship grow, to spend hour by hour with a person, labouring with them, working towards a common goal! This is of course Jesus' yoke, and the work is laid out by Him. Again, this is not just doing our own thing, but is sharing with Him in His work. So its not a declaration of intent that God is looking for, its when you seek to fulfill God's purpose for your life. Sometimes we simply need to rest, and TV can be a diversion while we do so. But it can also distract us from the work God calls us to do. 2 Cor 5:9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. One day we will all receive an accounting from our Lord of all that we have produced through our lives on earth, whether good things, or bag things. I don't think any of us will be surprised by what we hear on that day. I don't think it will be any different than that still small voice we hear today. Every minute, every hour, we can spend working with Jesus, or working on our own. I couldn't agree with you more, that what we do on our own is meaningless. I only wish I could stay convinced of that all day, everyday! God bless you, Jason. I hope this helps! Love in Christ, Mark |
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574 | millennial period | NT general Archive 1 | mark d seyler | 161042 | ||
Hi Edwin, and welcome to the Study Bible Forum! I'd like to answer your questions in reverse order, starting with Daniel. Quoted for ref.: Dan 9:25 "So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress. Dan 9:26 "Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. Dan 9:27 "And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate." Let's just look at the prophecy, compared to history, and see where we are. Following the Babylonian captivity, the decree to rebuild the city was given, and the city was rebuilt. Messiah was cut-off (crucified), and the city, and the sanctuary, were destroyed (70 a.d. and 132 a.d.) There has not been a temple built since then, that would allow for the daily sacrifice to be resumed, and then stopped during the middle of a seven year covenant, so this has not happened yet. There is not currently a seven year covenant being enforced by one who comes from the people of the Roman Empire (the ones who destroyed the city and the sanctuary). So because of these things, I would answer that yes, we are in the gap between the 69th and 70th week. Now, as far as Rev. 20 goes, and the Millennial period, this 1000 year rule by Jesus Christ comes after the visible return of Christ, the battle of Armaggedon, and the judgment of the "antichrist" and the false prophet (Rev. 19). Since these things have not happened yet, we know that these prophecies are yet future. I hope this helps! Love in Christ, Mark |
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575 | being blessed with gifts | Rom 11:29 | mark d seyler | 160966 | ||
Hi nae-nae 04, According to Paul, Rom 11:29 "for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." no. Love in Christ, Mark |
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576 | Speaking in Tongue | Acts 2:4 | mark d seyler | 160769 | ||
Hi Dwayne, Now that you've heard some other responses, let me throw in one more. I feel good about the gift of Speaking in Tongues. I feel good about every gift He gives us. I don't have the gift, although my wife does. I have never heard her use it. It is very private for her. I have prayed to receive it. I believe that the Lord does not intend that gift for me, I think that He wants instead that I focus on praying with understanding. He knows that I can be lazy, and if I prayed in tongues, that might be the majority of praying I would do! :-) I'd like to add in a few more comments with some other people's posts in view. 1 Cor 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. The implication to this passage is that, as Paul prays in an unknown tongue with his spirit, he also desires that his mind may be fruitful. So to this end, he desires the interpretation of his pray in tongues, that his mind may indeed be fruitful. He does not say "don't pray in tongues, because when you do, your mind is not fruitful." The bottom line for Paul is that he will pray both in tongues, and the regular way. He will pray with the spirit, also with the mind. I appreciate that ItsMe brought out the distinction between the Acts 2 manifestation of tongues, evangelizing in an unknown earthly language, and the 1 Cor. 14 manifestation of tongues, praying in an unknown heavenly language. I think that this is what Paul was refering to in 1Cor 13, "if I speak with the tongues of men and of angels..." 1 Cor. chapter 14 gives a solid foundation for the speaking in tongues. In vs. 5, Paul says that he wishes "you all would speak in tongues." Kind of a silly thing to wish if it's not for the church to do. There is much disagreement over whether these spiritual gifts are for today or not, (none are, some are, this one and not that one) and you may wish to peruse the archives to read some of the arguments. What do you think of the gift of tongues? Love in Christ, Mark |
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577 | unwed, 2 children, living w/their father | Gen 2:21 | mark d seyler | 160757 | ||
I believe that you already know what you should do, that you should be married, that the Bible tells us that sexual union outside of marraige is wrong, and that even to be a family, we need to have the commitment and blessing brought about through formal wedlock. Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Do you now live by faith, or by fear? Are you afraid to obey scripture because of what you think might happen financially? Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Lean not to your own understanding. Thats a thing about people. We have the tendancy to think we know for sure how something will happen. God may be testing your commitment to serve Him, and to obey Him, by allowing these seeming roadblocks to be in your way. You will never, ever, ever, be the worse for obeying our Lord Jesus. Even if circumstances seem more adverse, well, God is using all of these things to weed out of us our own life, so that we will be filled with His life, which is much better. Be strong in the Lord, and the power if His might! Love in Christ, Mark |
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578 | Eze 39:2 ver. omit # of enemy survivors | Ezek 39:2 | mark d seyler | 160740 | ||
Hi Ladyborg, I don't think that the other translations omit, this, it seems that they are simply translating this verse differently. Here is what A.R. Faussett writes: 2. leave but the sixth part of thee--Margin, "strike thee with six plagues" (namely, pestilence, blood, overflowing rain, hailstones, fire, brimstone, Eze 38:22 ); or, "draw thee back with an hook of six teeth" ( Eze 38:4 ), the six teeth being those six plagues. Rather, "lead thee about" [LUDOVICUS DE DIEU and Septuagint]. As Antiochus was led (to his ruin) to leave Egypt for an expedition against Palestine, so shall the last great enemy of God be. north parts--from the extreme north [FAIRBAIRN]. The Hebrew word is question is "shawshaw", which has been translated "leave the sixth part", it is the same word that is also translated "drive you on". So it's not omitted, it is translated differently, and why that is so, I don't know. These others may be more accurate translations. I'm still struggling through Greek class, Hebrew will have to wait a couple of years. :-) I hope this helps! Love in Christ Mark |
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579 | Men and Angels | Bible general Archive 3 | mark d seyler | 160732 | ||
Hi Noveta, Men went after the angels in Sodom. Holy angels were in control of the situation, and nothing happened. Assuming that it was angels in Gen. 6, it was the angels going after women, and again, the fallen angels were in control of the situation. Angels have more power than do men. Whenever angels appeared to people in the OT, they are described as appearing as men. The angels in Jude that "left their first place" would not be the same as those that are sent by God, because they are being punished by God. As to how these unions would creat a new species? I don't know the mechanics. But I think that they did. I could be wrong. It certainly is very strange. I hope this does in fact help! :-) Love in Christ, Mark |
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580 | After his own kind | Bible general Archive 3 | mark d seyler | 160723 | ||
Hi Noveta, Many people have reached the same conclusions as you have, and that can also be meaningful towards determining if you are on the right track or not. If I come up with something in the Bible that no one, over the past couple of thousand years, has come up with, long odds are that I am reading something into it that isn't there. My pastor counts this passage as "waiting for more information." You are certainly not out in left field for reaching the conclusion you have. Many would say I am for thinking it was fallen angels. Now, whether or not the fallen angels would or wouldn't engage in this sort of behavior again, some think that they did. There were anakim after the flood, as Isreal entered the promised land. Some believe that the fallen angels again propagated to try to prevent them from taking the land. This activity may be severely limited because the fallen angels who are not currently in chains of darkness may not want to join the ones who are - the deterent value of their incarceration. There is an interesting little verse in Daniel, of the final human kingdom: Dan 2:43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. It is argued that that which mingles with the seed of man, not cleaving to it, is not the seed of man itself. Its an interesting point. We have many people throughout the centuries who have engaged in enequally yoked marraige. The very church itself, as exemplified in the letter of Jesus to Pergamos, wed to the world. These were not judged by world-wide cataclysm. I fully agree with you that context plays a strong role in determining the meaning of scripture. A correct interpretation will not bend the meanings of the words used, will take into account the entire passage and its context, will be in harmony with all other scriptures. I understand that Hebrew especially can have a variety of meanings to the same word depending on the context (If there is a Hebrew scholar out there, please correct me if I am wrong!). The main thing in understanding the Bible is to let the Author explain it to you. If your heart is open to the leading of the Lord, and you give every indication that it is, you can come to a scripture, pray about it, study it, meditate upon it, discuss it, read about it, all of these, and you will reach certain conclusions about it. Perhaps you will be right, and perhaps you will be wrong. Perhaps you will have seen one level, and God will yet show you more meaning in time. We are not always right about our conclusions, you're not, I'm not, but we learn as we go. The good thing is that God will not stop teaching us. Its ok to reach a point where we say, "that's all I can get from this passage for now, but as the Lord leads, I am open to revisit it later." I can't tell you how many times I have revisited a passage and seen so much more that before, sometimes changing my view, sometimes expanding it. One day, we will all be in complete agreement about all of these things, in the meantime, we have this cool forum to share our ideas on. Glad you're here! Love in Christ, Mark |
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