Results 181 - 200 of 402
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Reighnskye Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
181 | is the seed non-human? | Dan 2:43 | Reighnskye | 133788 | ||
Misty, I agree that you are making assumptions here. I did however give a verse reference for my belief. It's up to you if you want to go with that or not. I'll not force the argument. I might suggest that it would be good for you to provide verse references, rather than simpy trying to press a perspective on extra-biblical basis. - Blessings, Reighnskye |
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182 | Visions through angelic messengers only? | Obad 1:1 | Reighnskye | 130492 | ||
What would be considered to be a certifiable vision? How are visions relayed? Do they come from God himself or simply through angelic messengers? | ||||||
183 | Visions through angelic messengers only? | Obad 1:1 | Reighnskye | 130662 | ||
Roger, Perhaps a better way to articulate my question would be to ask how the Old Testament scriptures (as opposed to the NT) became canonized before the first coming of Christ? I'm assuming that the early revelations came on the basis of divine visions and miracles in the Old Testament. But how were these specifically differentiated from false visions and such back then? Thank you. |
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184 | Visions through angelic messengers only? | Obad 1:1 | Reighnskye | 130845 | ||
Roger, You mention that the canonicity of the books of the bible are based upon the credentials of the individual authors, if I understand you correctly. However, it would appear to me that many books of the bible (especially in the OT) were quite hazy as to who the actual authors were. Also, there may even be extra-biblical books authored by actual bible authors that ended up being classified as mere psuedapigrapha. Which authors are you referring to that you would trust their credentials? |
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185 | Visions through angelic messengers only? | Obad 1:1 | Reighnskye | 131033 | ||
Roger, I greatly apologize if you view the questions and comments coming from my alternate perspective as wrangling. You may think me entirely unbiblical in the things that I believe, although I'm not even honestly sure that you know what they are. I suggest that any of the comments or questions that I may present are absolutely no threat to the Bible itself, but rather may merely be seen as such by some of those who may interpret the Bible differently than what I and others do. As such, if my questioning and/or comments seem to be too hard for you to discuss without driving you to angry responses, on this matter or any other, I'll simply drop the issue, and rather address others who may respond in more constructive fashion. Also, please don't shout in your posts. Using all caps to emphasize a point is not strictly necessary. Rest assured that I read and take into account each line that a person may respond with. I suggest that SHOUTING IN CAPS is not the best approach to influence someone. RS |
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186 | Visions through angelic messengers only? | Obad 1:1 | Reighnskye | 131173 | ||
Rowdy, Amen. You have my full support on the matter, for whatever it may be worth. Blessings, Reighnskye |
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187 | Does God judge nations directly? | Obad 1:2 | Reighnskye | 130493 | ||
In what way does God "judge" nations? Does He do it directly or through indirect means? | ||||||
188 | Does God judge nations directly? | Obad 1:2 | Reighnskye | 130666 | ||
DocTrinsograce :) Will Christ end war during His millennial reign by utilizing war as the means? Will Christ use war to end war? Or will peace be His preferred method? Isaiah 2 4 And He will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war. (NAS95) Micah 4 3 And He will judge between many peoples And render decisions for mighty, distant nations. Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they train for war. (NAS95) |
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189 | Does God judge nations directly? | Obad 1:2 | Reighnskye | 130703 | ||
DocTrinsograce: I value every person's perspective on the bible really, especially if they study it fervently. Intrinsic perhaps with the belief of a literal millennial reign of Christ would also be the idea of a literal physical and bodily return of Christ to this earth. Similar also to Christ's literal resurrection of the dead. (As opposed to symbolical). Indeed, the first three chapters of the book of Genesis are very similar in writing style to the book of revelation. This similarity stands out with the depictions in each book (Genesis and Revelation) of a Tree of Life that was once in the Garden of Eden and then resurfaces in the New Jerusalem, which descends from heaven to earth. I might ask what exactly in the bible should we take literally versus symbolically? The millennial reign of Christ? The Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden or the heavenly New Jerusalem? The miracle healings of Christ and the bodily resurrections that He performed on others? The physical bodily resurrection of Christ Himself? The ascension into heaven and therefore bodily return of Christ? I suggest that each of these things are intricately interrelated. But are they physically literal or merely symbolic? I suppose if we had the power to make our dreams into physical realities with mere thought, like immortals probably do, we could manifest many of these things ourselves. But alas, we are mortals and will likely remain so, as the majority of our fallen species ever has. What do we know of such wonders, but what we read? |
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190 | Does God judge nations directly? | Obad 1:2 | Reighnskye | 130846 | ||
Hank, I fully agree that to consider the bible as being almost completely symbolic in its substance would be a convoluted line of reasoning indeed. Unfortunately, many theologians have gone precisely this route. I personally view much of the symbolic imagery in the bible as being quite literal in a supernatural realm. And sometimes these supernatural literalisms may even extend themselves into the physical realm as well. Every verse of scripture, I believe, has both a literal tangible application in the physical realm available to us, and further originates from a very supernatural place. RS |
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191 | Does God judge nations directly? | Obad 1:2 | Reighnskye | 130847 | ||
Doc, I find that often when the text does not lend itself to clear identification on what is literal and what is symbolic, that often both may be somewhat true for any particular verse. Much of the symbolism in the bible (such as the parable of the rich man and the poor man) I will actually tend to view moreso as metaphysical realites versus mere symbolism, whether they be physical or not. Hence, I do not personally think so much in terms of literal versus symbolic when I might read any particular verse. Rather, I may think in terms of physical realities and/or metaphysical realities. This basically means that most everything, in the book of Revelation, I would consider to be metaphysical realities. In other words, that these are literal events that have occurred and/or will yet occur in the supernatural realm of spirits. And many of them being current metaphysical realites, they also have a potential to manifest themselves physically to some degree or another in our literal future. Although we do not necessarily see dragons, beasts, angels and frog-like demons in our literal physical reality, this does not mean that they do not exist in a more metaphysical supernatural dimension of spirits. Is this all too deep? I believe that the bible delves quite deeply into the supernatural realms. ---- "In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and *saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. "And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.' "But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. 'And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.' (Luke 16:23-26 NAS95) RS |
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192 | Does God judge nations directly? | Obad 1:2 | Reighnskye | 130848 | ||
Doc, I believe that you really offer quite an apt analogy. Again, I would greatly reinforce the idea that much of the symbolism presented in the scripture may actually be merely a veil for greater metaphysical (or supernatural) realities. Various of these metaphysical (or supernatural) realities may also have physical manifestations and some not. Further, the physical manifestations (of these metaphysical realities) may have occured in the past or may yet occur in the future. Hence, the supernatural manifestations of miracle workers documented in the scripture likely occurred in the past, whilst the eschatological manifestations may likely yet occur in the future. I've never myself seen a person resurrected from the dead (as Lazarus was), nor have I ascended directly into the heavens before the throne of God (as Isaiah did), but who am I to say that these things don't exist. And I am much more prone to accept the testimonies of miracle workers that have walked the earth as opposed to a score of common-day theologians. ---- "In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and *saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. "And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.' "But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. 'And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.' (Luke 16:23-26 NAS95) RS |
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193 | Does God judge nations directly? | Obad 1:2 | Reighnskye | 131176 | ||
Doc, How might one assess what is indeed over-spiritualization? My proposal is that we as mortals are not spiritual enough in our biblical interpretations. I would be greatly hesitant to reduce the greater spirituality of scripture down to a basis of mere speculation. Indeed, the Bible offers us a plethora of earthly applications for our personal lives. But the moment that we may potentially separate these earthly applications from an enlightened spiritual vision, such applications therefore tend to revert to empty and vain religiosity. Even as any supposed spirituality, in the absence of earthly application, will only be revealed to be a psuedo-spirituality in the end. I would be very careful here to differentiate between spirituality and speculation, as the two are commonly mistaken for each the other. Speculation has it's place, but ideally under the greater context of direct spiritual revelation. As far as authority goes when rendering biblical interpretations, I am aware of no other source than the Holy Spirit. Even many of the later church fathers and theologians (after the apostles died out) were not fully adequate in my view to interpret the scriptures for us. Their own doctrinal schisms against one another seems to confirm this to me. Blessings, Reighnskye |
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194 | Does God judge nations directly? | Obad 1:2 | Reighnskye | 131194 | ||
Doc, I clearly see now what you mean by over-spiritualization. Thank you for the illustrations contained in these specific examples. I probably might use a different term myself, but it's probably not best for me to get weighed down in excessive semantics anyway. ---- When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He *said to His mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then He *said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" From that hour the disciple took her into his own household. (John 19:26-27 NAS95) I would interpret the scripture unit that you cite as still possessing a vastly spiritual dimension and meaning. This is notwithstanding it's practical application of the inherent spirituality conveyed therein. For example, although I wouldn't desire to project either of these two misinterpretations that you mention upon this text, I would still have to say that this scripture unit (like any other) has an inherent spiritual lesson for each one of us. The spiritual lesson in this particular unit might be in regards to the spiritual family which we have in the church, wherein Mary and John take care of each other, despite their lack of immediate familial relations in the flesh. In other words, spiritually speaking, we are all one family. It is my premise that no verse of scripture lacks a spiritual origination and dimension to it. Nor should practical application be omitted either. Of course, any and all scriptures could be over-interpreted and/or under-interpreted as to their precise meanings, whether spiritually or practically. I suggest that the spiritual meaning of this verse is contained here. ---- While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. Someone said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You." But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Behold My mother and My brothers! "For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother." (Matthew 12:46-50 NAS95) ---- Further, you reference the interpretive authority basis used by the Protestants and the Catholics. What alternate authority might you suggest as being valid, that we may more directly rely on? Reighnskye |
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195 | Does God judge nations directly? | Obad 1:2 | Reighnskye | 131309 | ||
Doc, In what way has God raised his Word above his Name? I've heard this said before by people, but the doctrine never really made sense to me. The NASB and the KJV each render the verse very differently, insofar as the NASB seems to intimate that God's Word is an equivalent expression of God's Name. Is one of the translations incorrect? I've not noticed this doctrine to appear anywhere else in scripture. ---- I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name. (Psalms 138:2 NAS95) I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. (Psalms 138:2 KJV) ---- As far as semantics, I tend to agree with you. These are extremely important. Much heresy and apostasy has originated from redefinitions of basic words. I've encountered an obstacle with a friend of mine in the past however. He would often tend to break words down into their root origins, even quoting his hebrew/greek lexicon, but it seemed as if he had canonized his lexicons beyond the canonization of scripture itself. I tried to point out to him that even his greek/hebrew lexicons were man-made, and therefore fallible. Indeed, no mortal language is perfect that it could possibly produce an inerrent written text. - Reighnskye |
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196 | Does God judge nations directly? | Obad 1:2 | Reighnskye | 131310 | ||
Doc, I'm attempting to understand your illustration of semantics here. You mention that part of becoming a Christian involves taking up a new language. I'm wondering what exact language that you may be referring to? What are some of it's core terminologies, for example? I'd hate to think that a person would not likely be successful as a Christian if she/he had to be formally educated in terminologies that would often require seminary training. - Reighnskye |
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197 | Does God judge nations directly? | Obad 1:2 | Reighnskye | 131381 | ||
Doc, Here are some excerpts from THE CHICAGO STATEMENT ON BIBLICAL INERRANCY with my own inquisitive interjections regarding these portions. In other words, I would like to learn more on the subject. - "Article I We affirm that the Holy Scriptures are to be received as the authoritative Word of God. We deny that the Scriptures receive their authority from the Church, tradition, or any other human source." (I personally surmise that the authority of the ancient Church plays a vital authoritative role here, as slightly similar to the Catholic doctrines, although I do not place that same faith in the authority of our modern day church. I surmise that God is higher than the original authors of scripture and that the original authors of scripture are higher than the scriptures themselves.) - "Article IV We affirm that God who made mankind in His image has used language as a means of revelation. We deny that human language is so limited by our creatureliness that it is rendered inadequate as a vehicle for divine revelation. We further deny that the corruption of human culture and language through sin has thwarted God's work of inspiration." (I surmise that human languages such as hebrew/greek, english/spanish are imperfect in their conveyance of divine revelation, and therefor fail to innerantly express the totality of divine truth. However, in contrast, I also surmise that the original revelations imparted to the authors of scripture originate from the Holy Spirit, and that the Holy Spirit witnesses the truth through the written scriptures, notwithstanding the imperfections of the languages which compose the written texts. The Holy Spirit conveys spiritual witness of the gospel directly to our human spirit, and not through the vehicle of the psyche via written texts. However, the written texts are vital to quicken our mortal psyches to conscious doctrines.) - "Article V We affirm that God' s revelation in the Holy Scriptures was progressive. We deny that later revelation, which may fulfill earlier revelation, ever corrects or contradicts it. We further deny that any normative revelation has been given since the completion of the New Testament writings." (I surmise that, although this article denies the current existence of inerrant scripture outside of the bible, that it does now however deny the potential for new divine scriptures to be written in the future at some point, in accord with the view of progressive revelation.) - Would my personal surmising on these particular matters be accurate or inaccurate? ---- And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 NAS95) - Reighnskye |
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198 | Does God judge nations directly? | Obad 1:2 | Reighnskye | 131382 | ||
Doc, In regards to names, I would make particular reference here to a scripture. ---- 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.' (Revelation 2:17 NAS95) ---- For all intents and purposes, I greatly lack insight into the basis of this particular verse. Some of the imageries elude me. However, it does stir into my mind the idea of the spiritual name that each of us has been issued by God. Indeed, names were commonly used in ancient times to express a person's character or identity. Nonetheless, I also believe that we have a spiritual identity in Christ, and that we each have our own unique spiritual names (in contrast to our earthly names), which describes who we are more articulately in higher divine language than what any mortal tongues can master. Our spiritual names are not utterable in any mortal tongue, and we will not discover our true spiritual names until we are seated in full glory with Christ. At such time, our earthly names and identities will fade away, due to their temporal nature. Hence, I no longer so much wish to know you as Johnny, Timmy, Sally or Sarah, insofar as these are merely earthly designations. Nor do I wish to designate you as "murderer, adulterer, thief, idolater", etc., insofar as God is not a respecter of persons or earthly identities. That's not who we are spiritually. These are not our names and designations, except it be on an earthly (non-spiritual) level. But it is best for us to become spiritually focused, and see past our own earthly designations and those of others as well. And by the way, I've not even mentioned God's name here yet, if indeed we could even adequately harness such a thing in our mortal understanding. I think not. - Reighnskye |
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199 | Does God judge nations directly? | Obad 1:2 | Reighnskye | 131442 | ||
Doc and Emmaus, I greatly appreciate the vast resources of knowledge that you each freely share. I'm trying to discern a little bit more about the white stone. - Emmaus, you offer a quote from the Navarre Bible which says: "The "white stone" is a reference to the custom of showing a alittle stone with some appropriate mark on it, to gain entrance to a feast or banguet. The name incribed on the stone referred to here shows that the Christian has a right to partake in the good things which the Lord reserves for those who win the victory. "The fact that only the recipient knows what is written on the stonepoints to the personal, intimate relationship between god (who issues the invitation) and the invited guest. ... "I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine." (Is 43:1)" - And Doc, you offer a quote here as well: "The white and black stones were used for taking the vote in judgement. Black for guilty and white for innocent. Maybe this is the reference." - These both seem to be very well thought-out answers to the meaning of the white stone. Are the two interpretations exclusive or interrelated? Is it in fact possible to know for sure either way? Or are some scriptures indecipherable for all practical intents and purposes? Are some verses in the bible just way too obscure for other more prominent verses to shine a clear and concise light on them? Further, would we have to rely on extra-biblical sources to properly interpret the more obscure bible texts? ---- 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.' (Revelation 2:17 NAS95) - Thanks again, Reighnskye |
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200 | How does pride influence self-deception? | Obad 1:3 | Reighnskye | 130496 | ||
In what way does our own egotist pride influence self-deception? Certainly, our earthly ego consciousness may suppress our greater potential spiritual awareness, no? | ||||||
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