Results 141 - 160 of 495
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Results from: Notes Author: Aixen7z4 Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
141 | How can we avoid deception? | 2 Thess 2:11 | Aixen7z4 | 122731 | ||
My dear friend, I agree with you that believers are secure in Christ. I understand that it is my post which was confusing to you. I think you said so very clearly. I have no reason to think that you are confused about what Scripture teaches, and I did not mean to suggest that you were. Now, please have patience with me, as I am exercising patience with you. The question was not whether a believer can lose his salvation. Rather it was whether a believer can be deceived, or deluded, or put to the test, or in some other way negatively influenced by a spirit other than the Holy Spirit sent to him by God. If you would like to think of this you might want to return to my first post and consider the cases that were cited. Consider what happened to Saul (1 Samuel 16:14). Consider what happened to Ahab (1 Kings 22:24). Consider what happened to David (2 Samuel 24:1). I asked you to judge for yourself whether this (God sending such a spirit) ever applies to a believer. This has nothing to do with a believer losing his salvation. At least, I am not suggesting that it does. You might want to consider that there are other unfortunate things that can happen to a believer even if, as you have rightly noted, he does not lose his salvation. You might want to think of 1 Timothy 1:19 where Paul speaks of some who, having put away concerning faith, have made shipwreck. You might want to think of 1 Timothy 4 where some depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron. You might want to consider Galatians 1:6 where Paul says, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel”. You might want to think of Jeremiah 2:13 where God says that his people had committed two evils; they had forsaken him, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. You might want to think of 1 Timothy 6:9 where believers who want to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts. I am not saying that any of these are due to a spirit from God. I am saying that bad things can happen to believers even though, as you have rightly stated, they do not lose their salvation. Please consider that bad things happened to David and the others, even though Scripture does not suggest that they lost their salvation. I have written at length again to try to clear up any confusion. If you are still confused, I suggest you do not waste time commenting on the clarity or lack thereof in my expression. Perhaps you can just think about what I have said and if you cannot make anything of it, then move on to another matter. My real concern is for those who refused to accept and obey the gospel. Is it possible that God sends them strong delusions after that? Is it possible that they will later accept something that they perceive as the gospel but is really a lie. That is the situation suggested in the 2 Thessalonians 2 passage. I joined this discussion because I share the concern that Mommapbs expressed at the top of the thread. I am concerned that we believers can be deceived and can stray away from our service for God when we have failed to live in the light of God’s revealed truth. Also, I see that many people can believe they are saved when they are not, because they refused to believe the gospel when they heard it and later believed something else that they thought was the gospel but was not. I would love to see a discussion on those two points. First: Can it be that a believer will not endure sound doctrine? What happens to him then? (See 2 Timothy 4:3,4). Can this situation be connected to the shipwreck mentioned in1Timothy 1:19? Second: What happens when a person refuses to accept the Gospel? Can it be that he is then allowed to think that something else is the gospel? (See 2 Thessalonians 2:10,11). If they believe a false gospel, won’t they be believing they are saved when they are not? |
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142 | How can we avoid deception? | 2 Thess 2:11 | Aixen7z4 | 122697 | ||
If you are confused, then perhaps you should ponder the facts presented a little further. We have seen that the Lord does send delusions, an evil spirit, a lying spirit, he gives people over to a reprobate mind. It is apparent that he sends those to people who have refused to obey him. You can judge for yourself whether this ever applies to a believer. My point was that a person who refuses to believe the gospel is in real danger. He may hear another message at a later time and he may be deceived into thinking that it is the truth. It is so important that a person respond to the simple gospel without waiting for more. If he refuses to accept the gospel, how will he know that God will not be sending him strong delusions next? He may be looking for miracles and signs and wonders. He may be presented with lying signs and wonders. He may believe the message associated with those and think he is hearing the truth. He may be looking for a more convincing message and he may fall into the hands of a manipulator. He may be looking to have his emotions stirred and he may be so moved that he cannot think. If you are still confused, I suggest you think about it a little more. If a person hears the gospel (that Christ died for our sins and was buried and rose again) and if he refuses to obey the gospel (by repenting and trusting Christ) how can he know that the next thing he hears (accept Christ, accept a doctrinal statement, join the church, or whatever) is the truth. It may be a strong delusion and yet he will believe it. Read 2 Thess 2:9-12 and related passages such as 2 Timothy 4:3,4 again and think about it. |
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143 | female angels | Matt 22:30 | Aixen7z4 | 122686 | ||
"The reference to the angels is as witnesses of the Holy Spirit descending onto the earth to reveal all truth"? Now I am wondering why you say that. The idea of angels witnessing the descent of the Holy Spirit, I have never heard of. Perhaps you can provide a cross-reference to it. In the passage at hand (1 Peter 1) from verse 5 on, Peter has been talking about our salvation. He says that it is a very interesting matter which prophets and angels have tried to understand. The prophets wrote about it as the Holy Spirit moved them, but they did not understand fully. At the end of verse 12 he simply says that the angels also have a desire to know about these things. Of course, it is the angels we are interested in because they are the topic of this thread. The person who started the thread is interested in their gender. Aixen is expressing the understanding that angels have no gender and no known interest in sex. (This comes in spite of the opinion of some that angels took on bodies in Genesis 6, and procreated). On the other hand, we are learning from Peter that they do have an interest in matters of salvation. The fact he mentions only their desire suggests that they are unable or not allowed to look into that matter. It is evident that the prophets were told about the fact of salvation in Christ. What they did not understand was the fact that Christ would both suffer and be glorified. They wrote about it (See Isaiah 53, for example) but they did not understand it. Even the people in Jesus day failed to understand, and it seems that resurrection was the main sticking point. In John 12:34 the people were saying, “We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up?” In Matthew 16, Peter himself was saying, “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto you”. In Mark 9:10 they are questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. So the facts of salvation, and the manner in which it would be procured was only partially known by the prophets. Of course they have been revealed to us. Paul took lots of time to explain it in 1 Corinthians 15, and we know clearly how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. Meanwhile the prophets who wrote those scriptures searched but could not find the answers. The angels had a desire to look, but it seems they were kept at the "desire to look" stage. |
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144 | Can someone help me get to God? | Rom 10:9 | Aixen7z4 | 122621 | ||
Hello. I wonder if you are still interested, and if you still want to "get to God". If you are, then please write again. You may find that he is closer to you than you thought, and that he wants you to get to him. He loves you, and he will let you get to him, right where you are. Please continue to seek the Lord. And tell us where you are now in your search. You may not realize it, but there are actually two Bibles on the Forum. You can look things up by typing in words or references in the area called "Get Bible Text" in the right margin. Try typing the words "seek" and "find" under "Search word(s) or "Jer 29:13" and then "Acts 17:27"under "Book Chapter:verse". There are people here who want to pray for you and help you in your search. Please let us know if you are still interested. |
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145 | Is it by nature inexorable? | 2 Tim 2:9 | Aixen7z4 | 122225 | ||
Yes. Jesus seems to be saying that his word is indestructible. The time will come in which the heavens, which now seem permanent, will catch fire and pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up (2 Peter 3). But the word of God will not be destroyed. It will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8). And it is by this incorruptible word that we are saved (1 Peter 1:23-25). It is a communication from God, with promises that will stand forever. |
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146 | How do we understand these words? | John 6:63 | Aixen7z4 | 122175 | ||
My brother, I will try to give a soft response. The truth is, the question as asked is one of the most important in my mind. I am not surprised that it sounds like a speech. There are some time when I wonder the same thing about the questions that are put by the journalists to the politicians. They can be wordy. I have learned that questions are a good way to learn; maybe the best way. But the questioner must first reveal what he knows and where he is in his understanding. That way the person answering can know what he is adding to. He does not have to assume complete ignorance. This is the truth that I tell you and I trust you can tolerate it. |
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147 | How do we understand these words? | John 6:63 | Aixen7z4 | 122174 | ||
I do believe you are correct, Angel. It is clear that the disciples who remained had not understood all he said. But they remained, patiently waiting for understanding. There was a blind man who recieved his sight and said, "One thing I know". There was a psalmist who said, "LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child". And the twelve decided to humbly wait. Their wait was rewarded, for in John 16 we hear them saying "Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God". We do not know what the word of God means except by the Spirit of God as he reveals it. We cannot hurry him. We must wait on him. You know, Angel, I started our asking that question, "How can we understand these words?. But as I wrote it seems that more and more was revealed to me. Still there is a question and a challenge in my mind. How do I know that I have the correct understanding? The sponsors of this program may not like my answer, but I think that the New Living Translation had the most accurate rendition. That is because it uses the context to decide on the wording. I am glad for the reference to eternal life, as it presages the succeeding comments. And it seems that Jesus always had the message of salvation in mind. His words are spirit and life, and the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. I will try now to express the entire thought in my own words. I believe that is a good test of comprehension. Maybe you would like to try it as well. There are questions that remain unanswered. Some of Jesus’ words are very deep (See Psalm 92:5) and cannot be understood from a cursory reading. What happens when we do not wait for understanding, but turn away instead? The folks who did were human like us, and we may sometimes do as they did. What happens then? I think we would do well to ponder more. That in itself might teach us to practice patience. But thank you for a kind response. |
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148 | 'Lone rangers' and spiritual discernment | 1 Cor 12:12 | Aixen7z4 | 122132 | ||
My dear sister: I admire your zeal and your heart. But I would encourage you that we have to find our place, in the kingdom, with the church. Please do not misunderstand. Many of us have experienced the struggle you went through. We are a part of the church in a day when hardly anything is the way it should be. But the Lord does not call us to step outside the church. We have to work with them. The church can send us out. But we can not walk away from it and say we are in ministry for God. Notice I say "it", because the Bible recognizes only one church. We have to find a way to work with it. For those who chafe at the idea, I have found I can only recommend that we take Joshua and Caleb as our examples. They wholly followed the Lord (Num 32:12) and they found they did not have to leave to do that. Look at your own post. Look at the changes from "we", "our", and "us" to "I", "me", and "my". I have a feelings, a calling, and a ministry, but we must work together. |
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149 | Is Hell fire literal that burns forever? | John 5:24 | Aixen7z4 | 122121 | ||
It is interesting to consider what type of body unbelievers might have and what type of fire hell might have. It was also interesting to consider the different reasons for weeping and gnashing of teeth. The fact that we should do what we can to persuade people to seek heaven and to shun hell is clear (2 Cor 5:11). What attracted me in Jud's question was the issue of fear of hell in the heart of a believer. Does a believer have to fear going to hell? I think not. There is no chance. Jesus said, "I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish" (John 10:28.. |
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150 | disciple that Jesus loved | 1 John 4:10 | Aixen7z4 | 122018 | ||
This writer agrees. John does not quite say, "I am that disciple, which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things". But that is as close as he gets. Nor does he say that his name is John. It is a question that has always intrigued me, why many of the writers of scripture fail to identify themselves. Is there any internal evidence that John wrote the Gospel of John? I hope you do not think I am being facetious here. If you have such evidence, I would like to learn of it. Paul says that he always identifies himself (2 Thessalonians 3:17) and John certainly identifies himself as the writer of the book of Revelation. Rev 1:4 "John to the seven churches". Rev 1:9 "I John, who also am your brother, ..., was in the isle that is called Patmos ...". Rev 22:8 "I John saw these things, and heard them". Why do you suppose he declines to identify himsel as John in the book called The Gospel of John? It seems to me that John 21:24 says it is the writer of the book who is known as "the disciple whom Jesus loved". It still does not say clearly that it was John. I hope you understand what I say here. We think it was John, but reading John 21:24 does not absolve us of culpability, if we are accused of intelligent guessing. |
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151 | What change can we expect? | 2 Cor 5:17 | Aixen7z4 | 121951 | ||
It does seem that one of the changes we experience is that we become more judgmental. 1 Corinthians 2:14, 15 says: "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things". (I am sure that someone will tell us the difference between "judging all things" and being judgmental). I am frankly not sure what "philosophical" means any more but I am glad you were able to give an answer in spite your detecting that in the question. I hope others can as well. |
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152 | Would you? | Mark 16:15 | Aixen7z4 | 121634 | ||
Hi Angel: When I saw your note I checked to see how you have been here. I suppose it is difficult for you to understand what has happened before that time. Nevertheless, you seem to be answering some of your own questions. You wonder if any posts are censured. But now ask yourself why the following note has been posted below: It says, "Note to viewers: This thread has been temporarily restricted from appearing on the homepage…". Do you know why it is there? If you do, then that is fine. The important question is: Would you like to see it there if you are presenting the Gospel to someone? You say, “No one can indoctrinate into their personal congregation. No one can present anti-Christian arguments. No one can introduce any of the topics rejected by the Forum”. But only experience can teach you what these things mean and how the rules are enforced. I suggest that it is not good to pursue this discussion further. But I will simply say I am bothered by the way the simple, the uneducated, and the non-Christian are treated here. I read that few unsaved people come here. I wonder if people who are not saved are encouraged to be here and to ask the questions that might lead to their salvation. I wonder if you see in this very thread, the suggestion that the Gospel not be presented here. You say, “In this forum … I preach the Gospel--I do not try to make it into a sermon”, and I am not sure what you are saying. Are you saying that you present the Gospel but keep it short; a sermonette as opposed to a sermon? Anyways, I would encourage you to continue to try to present the Gospel. Try also to suggest practical applications for the word we are studying. If you do, and I hope you do, then be prepared to dodge the obstacles. |
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153 | Would you do it anyway? | Mark 16:15 | Aixen7z4 | 121602 | ||
My dear friend, you are a wise man and a scholar. If you do not know the answer to that question, then I dare not try to answer it. I would simply say, as you see, that some of us feel called to give the Gospel everywhere we go, in spite of distractions, interruptions, and oppositions. As to who will say and do what, I will say either it is evident or it remains to be seen. | ||||||
154 | Would you? | Mark 16:15 | Aixen7z4 | 121601 | ||
What I will be doing is to monitor this site for cases where people are asking questions about the way of salvation and try to answer them. It is apparent that some people are led to this site with the hope that someone will show them how to be saved. We must try to help them. There are other times when people give the impression that they hope to be saved by works or by knowing as much of the Bible as possible. We must show them the straight and simple way to Christ. We know what the Gospel is. Though some may want to study it or debate it or exegete it, we have learned to simply quote it. We believe that the word is alive and has its own power (Hebrews 4:12). The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). The facts of the Gospel are that we are sinners, that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). We believe that the proper response to the Gospel is repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). We must tell people these things and help them to do it. We need to avoid discussions such as our responsibility versus that of the Holy Spirit, etc., which are academic and distracting from the business of leading people to Christ. We have to look out for distractions, even the ones where they interrupt to tell you what a good job you are doing and next thing you know we are slapping each other on the back and forgetting that poor soul who asked the question. This is what I plan to do, so you can think again if you want to join me in this. If some of us look for that opportunity and keep that goal in mind, it can be done. And it's got to be done. The world is dying in sin while we study and discuss the minutiae of the word. No one is trying to take over this forum or to change its purpose. But we are seeking an opportunity to give the Gospel when it is so indicated. It is what I do when I visit a church. I do not expect to change the church, and I do not try, but I carry the Gospel in my heart and I my pocket, and I appreciate an opportunity to share it privately without interruption. Of course, if others want to listen that is fine, and if they want to help, it is super. But too often there are those who want to turn every conversation into an intellectual exercise. We have to look our for that and work around it. It is my prayer that the Lord will give us wisdom to make it happen. But all should understand the purpose. |
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155 | Thomas being sarcastic or serious? | John 11:16 | Aixen7z4 | 121545 | ||
It does seem that each of the apostles was serious enough to give their very lives for the His sake, and the Gospel's. | ||||||
156 | Thomas being sarcastic or serious? | John 11:16 | Aixen7z4 | 121535 | ||
A post from this morning’s fare (5/17/04) makes reference to this one and revives the interest in it. To underline the point already made, it is true that we are often much too quick to be critical. We can learn much from each other if we stop and think, and I think we can learn from the Apostle Thomas to be humble and above all, sincere. Doubting does not indicate lack of sincerity. Contrariwise, it may be evidence of sincerity. We remember Thomas as the one who expressed his doubts. But we should probably be thankful that he expressed them. In John 14:5 Thomas says to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going. How can we know the way?" It is because of his statement here we have the response of the Lord Jesus Christ: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me”. In John 20 we have him expressing his doubts: "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." But it is because of this that we have the words of Jesus in response: "Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed." I think that most believers prize these particular statements from the Lord. But we must say, humanly speaking, that they would not have been available to us had it not been for Thomas’ doubts and his willingness to express them. And there is additional evidence of Thomas’ sincerity in Mark 14. He had said he would die with Christ rather than to deny him (See Mark 14:31). Now (in John 11:16) he is saying to his fellow-apostles, “Let us do what we said we would do”. This might be taken as further evidence of the man’s sincerity. |
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157 | So what's with the religious leaders? | Luke 4:28 | Aixen7z4 | 121163 | ||
Let us clear our eyes now, and take another look at Jesus. He did not come to judge the world He did not come to blame He came to this old world to seek And it was to save that he came That little chorus may have been based on John 3:17. There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, “Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”. And there are present in this season some who tell of the homosexuals, whose blood has been mingled with AIDS. And Jesus answering says unto them, "Suppose ye that these homosexuals are sinners above all the Californians, because they suffer such things? I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish. Or those unwed mothers, upon whom the tower of poverty falls, and keeps them down, think you that they are sinners above all women that dwell in the hood? I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish". Ah! Let us not sully the reputation of that holy One, or make him out to be like Tom. He said, in John 8:15, “Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man”. Let us not think of him as the Accuser. Someone else is. Let us not think of him as judge now; that is for a future day (Acts 17:31). Let us call him Savior. When we call him Savior When we call him Savior When we call him Savior Then, we call him by his name. The Savior says, in John 12:47, "If any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world". Amen. |
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158 | Might it be fear? | Prov 1:29 | Aixen7z4 | 120867 | ||
Balance is good. See Ecc 7:16,17. | ||||||
159 | last judgement sins | Rom 14:10 | Aixen7z4 | 120789 | ||
This response was mentioned by mommapbs on 5/9/04, and I have been thinking about it. I think Makarios may want to take another look at it as well. Some judgment and receiving of rewards take place in this life. For example: Luke 18:28ff. Peter said, “Lo, we have left all, and followed you”. And Jesus said unto them, “Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time …” See Psalm 37: “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed”. It is good to read the entire psalm. See also Psalm 73. Even “their end” (verse 17) is described in terms of a turn of events in this life. God judges the heart, in this life, and in Psalm 139 is a model prayer that we should ask the Lord to give us the results so we can adjust our lives and so he can lead us in the way everlasting. In 1 Corinthians 11 and elsewhere were are asked to judge ourselves, to examine ourselves, to repent, to amend our ways. We are encouraged to confess our sins and to receive forgiveness. But what of the next life? Revelation 21 describes a scene before the Great White Throne where people are judged “out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works”. We get the impression that individual sins will be brought back before the unbelieving so they can properly understand their sentence and the reason for their fate. But will a believer be confronted in the next life with the sins he committed in this life? Will he have to give account for the sins that Jesus paid for? I would like to suggest a No. Our deeds will be judged by fire. The picture I get is that all will be cast into some sort of fire. The picture I do not get is that we will be confronted and embarrassed by our sins. So, the response is filled with good references. There is no doubt that we will give account to God. We need to decide, perhaps, to understand, whether the particular judgments are for believers or unbelievers, and whether they are meted out in this life or the next. It seems to me that the original question is a very good one still needing an answer. Do we, believers, whose sins have been forgiven, do we need to fear being confronted with those again, in heaven? 1 John 1:9 is a well-known verse, and a song based on it reminds us that God will seem unable to recall our sins. I suspect if the subject of personal sins is brought up in heaven God will ask, “What sin?” Another song encourages us to return to God. It says he’ll forgive our transgressions, and remember them no more. I believe it is based on Isa 43:16,25 Thus saith the Lord … “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins”. And to us he says, “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old” (Isaiah 43:18). To someone who is worried about being confronted with their sins in heaven, "all our sins brought up for judgment", I hope we can say, “Forget it”. |
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160 | But I say, Have they not learned? | Prov 1:29 | Aixen7z4 | 120783 | ||
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