Results 1 - 17 of 17
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: atdcross Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Where did evil come from? | Prov 16:4 | atdcross | 168580 | ||
DAW By "evil" I assume you mean primarily "sin". As such, evil originated in Lucifer (Ezekiel 28:15). God did not create evil. He did create the angel Lucifer. Lucifer's desired to be like God and, acting upon that desire through rebellion against God, he sinned (Ezekiel 28:17; Isaiah 11:13-14). Why ultimately God allowed sin is not known for certain, I least, I don't know the answer except to say that, with respect to mankind, he loved man and desired fellowship with those whomever he could save, if not all (John 3:16). |
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2 | Is Isaiah 53:4,5 for today | Is 53:4 | atdcross | 168316 | ||
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3 | Essentials, where is the proof? | Bible general Archive 3 | atdcross | 167100 | ||
As I stated in another note, repentance is assumed in John 3:16, cf. vs.20-21. Note also v.36. It first says, "Whoever believes...has eternal life"; however, the converse is not, "Whoever disbelieves" but "Whoever disobeys" (TEV). It is interesting to note that the contrast is made not between "believing" and "not believing" (as one might assume in veiw of v.16) but between "believing" and "disobedience", which, as I understand it, assumes the necessary activity of repentance for faith in the former and being unrepentant through "disobedience" in the latter, resulting in the divine displeasure (to put it mildly). |
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4 | Repent or believe, which is first? | Bible general Archive 3 | atdcross | 167096 | ||
Repentance is an aspect of faith and, as such, there is no "order" as you suggest. In John 3:16 repentance is assumed, cf. v20-21. | ||||||
5 | How did the sin of Satan happen? | Matt 12:31 | atdcross | 167044 | ||
Hi again Kay, Just wanted to make a few "uneduated" comments here. As I stated earlier specifically "how" sin could have happened in a "pure heaven" is not touched upon in the Bible (as far as I can tell) as the fact that it did happened. Could this occur after the end days when all is restored? I think not for two reasons: (1) all tha angels that did not rebel against God have proven their loyalty to God by not joining in Lucifers rebellion. Such loyalty is, may I say, "eternally engraved" in their will and heart. (2) Believers have already proven their loyalty by holding on to their faith until death. They have shown that no matter what, their choice will always be made for God. As the song goes, "If I can make it here [on earth], I can make it anywhere." As such, their faithfulness is also "eternally engraved". I think the Bible makes certain hints that the above is the case but I don't have my Bible at hand at the moment. If you want some verses, let me know and, as soon as it is convenient for me, I will post them for you (although, I do think as you read this, some Bible verses may pop up to your mind). |
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6 | How was the sin nature really created? | Matt 12:31 | atdcross | 167040 | ||
Some scholars believe that Isa 14 and Eze 28 are representations of God's creation of the angel Lucifer and his fall. Primarily from these two chapters do I make brief answers to what I see are three questions (if you do not mind an uneducated answer). 1. Where was sin formed? Sin was not "formed" but found in Lucifer. As created, he was perfectly made for divine purposes and he walked blamelessly in relationship with God until the day he sought to usurp God's dominion and make himself God. As far as I know, the Bible does not say why Lucifer turned against God or what were the influences, if any, that motivated him to take such action. All we read is that he became proud to the point of desiring equality or supremecy over God. God did not "create" Satan. Lucifer turned into a satan when he rebelled against God; his character and conduct are thus described in the name given to Lucifer, which is Satan, which means (if I am not mistaken), "adversary", specifically God's adversary. I will continue later... |
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7 | Why does Satan believe he can win? | Bible general Archive 3 | atdcross | 166797 | ||
To answer the first question: God did not create Satan. To answer the second question: I will speculate that Satan really believes he will win. |
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8 | explain the doctrine of predistination | Rom 9:13 | atdcross | 164950 | ||
Regarding Romans 9:13, some observations for consideration in understanding the intended meaning of the text: 1. The context refers to nations, not individuals (cf. Gen 25:22-23). Cf. Calvin's "Institutes," 3:21.7: "The words, 'Jacob have I loved,' refer to the whole progeny of the patriarch, which the prophet there opposes to the posterity of Esau"; also, BNN. 2. In Mal 1:1-3, quoted in the Romans passage in question, the reference is not to the individuals but to the respective nations, Israel and Edom. 3. Esau himself is seen in a positive light with the impression that he was a worshipper of God (Genesis 33; 35:29). 4. The references to "love" and "hate" can be interpreted in the same sense as in Matt 10:37 and Luke 14:26 and not as a literal summation of God's feelings for Esau or his posterity before they were born. |
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9 | Please read 1 Sam 15:1-4. | Bible general Archive 3 | atdcross | 164587 | ||
Hi Ebrain, Briefly, God's ban against the Amalekites was a judgment against the nation (and the gods of that nation, which inspired the Amalekites to attack Israel). Studylight.org has a good comment on it under Coffman's Commentary. It seems this is not murder on God's part but judgment. In Adam Clark's words, "Nothing could justify such an exterminating decree but the absolute authority of God." |
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10 | Is this invitation open to everyone? | Matt 11:28 | atdcross | 164515 | ||
Yes. Each and every person aware of their need is invited. The only ones to whom it does not apply are to those who do not feel their need. However, their exclusion is conditioned by their refusal to admit their need; it is not because Christ excludes them but because, having no feeling of need, they have excluded themselves. Wre one - anyone - to feel their need and have a desire for a stronger one than they are to releive them, Christ invites them to his side. My reasons for this interpretation are: (1) Unless "all" means something other than "all" (and, I by no means am a Greek scholar; I only go by the reference works) the meaning is clear. (2) There seems to be no warrant in the context to limit the meaning of "all." (3) The context clearly implies that no one is excluded on a basis other than their refusal to admit their need. |
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11 | Life Difficulties | Bible general Archive 3 | atdcross | 164222 | ||
Well, God's original intention was that we be happy. Unfortunately, since sin came along, happiness, as God intended, has been elusive. Yes, as believers in Jesus, we will face troubles but that is because the "world" - powers that are against God; and somewhere Jesus said, "If they persecute me, they will persecute you." Peter says, "Arm yourselves for suffering," that is, persecution. However, in the midst of these troubles, we can still experience happiness or, rather, joy by directing our faith in Christ and our eyes towards the resurrection. That is not to deny the pains of reality but to overcome them. Jesus, again, says, "In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John, the apostle, declared that, "He who believes that Jesus is the Christ overcomes the world." As far as dealing with feeling that we don't want to have, the first way to tackle that is to read, meditate, memorize, and obey, as best you know, God's Word, the Bible. The second way is to pray - with the Bible open and in hand - seeking and believeing in the promises of God. A third way I have personally found useful in dealing with sinful feelings, e.g. anger, is to deny the feelings are in in way a part of your new nature (2 Cor 5:17) and to believe that you have been enabled to overcome temptations to sin in all its forms. Fourth, seek a mature believer to share your struggles with (and, allow him to share his struggles with you) and pray for each other. I have found it especially helpful that when I feel depressed, instead of praying for myself, I pray for others whom I know are in depression. Somewhere the Bible says, "Do not look out just for yourself but be interested in others" (or something like that). Of course, after having said all this, each of us must find his own way through the Bible in dealing with his/her particular situation and overcoming those things that deteriorate faith, whether it be sadness, disappointment, persecution, and even demonic attackes. What I have suggested has been helpful for me, however, it cannot be ever be overemphasized to say that faith in God's grace (divine enabling) through Christ is the basis for overcoming. Without faith (Heb 11:6), do whatever you want to do to succeed and you will, nevertheless, fail (Rom 10:31-32). Please note, I am not a professional counselor nor do I know you personally, therefore, it would be better for you to either seek professional or pastoral care depending on your needs. In my personal opinion, the Internet Forums are probably the worst place to seek advice. |
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12 | A Thought-provoking question | Bible general Archive 3 | atdcross | 164221 | ||
I do not know of anywhere in the Bible God murdered "many people". There are many places in the Bible where God judges "many people". If you have a particular place in the Bible, please cite it and state why you believe God is committing murder. |
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13 | Define "Sun of Righteousness"? | Mal 4:2 | atdcross | 164028 | ||
Hi Helen, It's just a metaphor, a picture in words. It's not intended to be taken literally but it does reflect the Jesus' ministry. It's like someone saying to another, "You are my sunshine and you give wings to my joy." I'm sure someone else can answer better but I think that's the jist of it. |
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14 | Praying for the 'World'. | Matt 5:44 | atdcross | 163644 | ||
Regrading Jn 17:9. First question: "Did Jesus know at that time who was His Father's and who wasn't?" Response: There is no indication at all that this is an issue contemplated in the verse. Second question: "If Jesus didn't pray for the 'world', should we? Or should our prayer be for the elect only?" Response: Tim Moran has provided an adequate answer to this question in his post ID#163556. Third question: "Is it futile to be praying for someone to be saved when 'before the foundations of the world' they were already known." Response: It seems you left more out in the question. Do you mean it is futile to pray because they were already known by God to be damned? On the assumption that this is what you meant, whether God foreknows one's eternal destiny is not the issue nor is any indication given in this verse one way or the other. Again, I refer you to Tim's post cited above regarding whether ot not we ought to pray for the "world". Unfortunately, what you are being taught, that 2 Peter 3:9 refers to "His Chosen," seems to be a total distortion of its clear and intended meaning. 1. If one wants to argue that the context - "is patient toward you" - demands that "the chosen" are understood, then it must be understood that Peter is writing to those who are not saved at the time his letter is being read (or else why does God need to be patient with them and why does will that they not perish if they are already saved?). 2. To change the meaning or interpret "any" to refer to "the chosen" is totally unwarranted in the text and, although I am not a Greek scholar, my references give no indication this is the case. The "any" includes the "God-mockers" of v.3; God desires their repentance also and that is why he delays his return. Respecting your desire not to debate the issue (nor do i want to argue it or attempt to prove anything), I only add my understanding of the Bible for further thought. |
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15 | Suffering and God's providence | Bible general Archive 3 | atdcross | 162232 | ||
1. We need to come to that place of faith where we really believe what the Bible says about God, that is, that he is good, Psa 107:1-2. 2. We need to realize that "dark seasons" come because (a) there are powers we are at war with, Eph 6:11-12;(b) our limited capacity in this flesh to perceive God, 2 Kgs 4:27. 3. We need to know that the One who gives mercy in one hand does not bring suffering with the other, Jer 29:11; Psa 103:1-6a. |
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16 | How do I ask? | Ps 115:3 | atdcross | 161446 | ||
Allow me to offer my observation of your question. 1. Jesus can heal a person in your family (Mark 9:22-23; Heb 13:8). 2. With asking, seek, knock, and believe (Matt 7:7-8). 3. God does not inflict sickness for the mere sake of "testing" (Psa 103:13-14). |
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17 | did Jesus die for our sins or sickness | 1 Pet 2:24 | atdcross | 160422 | ||
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