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In my town of about 22K, the term "soul sleep" is mostly used by Baptists to describe the teachings of those who do NOT teach a present and ongoing "Hell". In the study at my website, I go thru every instance of the word sheol. I show how it was translated in the Septuagint as "Hades", which came into our English Bibles as "Hell". I like to explain the state of the dead using the analogy of a computer. Our brains are wonderfully engineered bio-computers. But - like a computer - they turn "OFF" at death. God has the memory stick with all the memories of the individual. At the resurrection, HE will give us brand new computers, and then upload the memories - and we will have mind and memory intact. At the tower of Babel, the LORD simply uploaded a different language program for different groups. And at Pentecost, HE uploaded a universal translator, so that each one "heard" Peter speak in his own language. Very much like what we do with our computers. At the second coming, I'm sure that HE will upload a new heavenly language program, so that we can all understand each other. Blessings, Rachel Cory Prophecy Viewpoint

Dear folks, would u pls to double-check the accuracy of this facts-based news about the Nepal Earthquake in Adventist Review? http://www.adventistreview.org/church-news/story2578-adventist-leader-in-nepal-tells-of-panic-and-pain It says "In Nepal, all Christians worship on Saturday because it is a nonworking day unlike Sunday, when the country works." "So far no Adventist has been killed,” Pokharel told the Adventist Review on Sunday. “However, many Christians were buried while they were worshiping on Sabbath and died.” Opps... wait a minute...It seems too good to be true... "No Adventists were injured" is different than "No Adventists were killed". None injured means such a total protection. However, since all Sunday keepers escorted to be allowed to worship on Saturday due to their policy and rules, those non-Adventist Christians were worshiping the same Living God as Adventists on that Saturday. Then the big earthquake came in the middle of the Saturday worship hours. To be honest, most of the construction- infrastructure of Adventist churches/schools/hospitals in Nepal considered the poor building materials since the church members and missionaries have no enough money for the most building projects for the better constructions. In other words, the other protestant churches are well-built and much stronger churches. Here's the huge gap of human logic... How come the Adventist Review made a statement that ""So far no Adventist has been killed,” Pokharel told the Adventist Review on Sunday. “However, many Christians were buried while they were worshiping on Sabbath and died.” When Adventists fully survived, I think the non-SDA churches deserved the same, and not buried alive since they are also worshipping the same God as Adventists' especially since they have a much better churches' construction. Unfortunately they are buried alive and killed while worshiping the same God as Adventists'. (Btw, we have the same Jesus too, right?) Nevertheless the Adventist Review still need to keep the accuracy and the real fact of each news. We don't quite sure if this is just as the 'phony' news or the real facts even yet.

There is a sub group in Seventh-day Adventism who call themselves "Historic Adventists". I tend to have a number of concerns and criticisms about them. However I tend to see them as a valid voice with in the Adventist community. (I big concern is that they like to think they are the only true voice and want the rest of us to shape up and join them. I see them as preaching part of the truth and tending to use it against the rest of the truth and building traditions on this.) However, traditionally they have held to our Methodist/Wesleyan foundation. They have been vigorous defenders of this tradition against encroachments of Calvinism. Sadly, in their opposition to women's ordination, they have latched themselves on to the "Headship" theology which is very anti-Methodist and very Calvinistic. I fear as to what this compromise with their traditional foundation will do to them.

See: http://www.adventistreview.org/church-news/story2579-zambia%E2%80%99s-president-celebrates-milestone-of-1-million-Adventists The SDA Church in the U.S. does not have the most members.

Robert Said You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself give to God its affections; but you can choose to serve Him. You can give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus your whole nature will be brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ; your affections will be centered upon Him, your thoughts will be in harmony with Him. [sC 47] To me this is focusing on surrendering to Christ habitually, walking with God before the temptation, so we continue to serve Him when the temptation comes, or when we recognize we are developing an attitude problem we resubmit. In Romans 7, Paul is speaking of the converted man who, as myself, has not learned to "walk in the Spirit". Notice Romans 7:22-25 I appreciate the allusion to Galatians. I think walking in the Spirit is the key. This from Ellen White: Enoch’s walk with God was not in a trance or a vision, but in all the duties of his daily life. He did not become a hermit, shutting himself entirely from the world; for he had a work to do for God in the world. In the family and in his intercourse with men, as a husband and father, a friend, a citizen, he was the steadfast, unwavering servant of the Lord....PP 84-85 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man (i.e., the converted man). 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind (that is, my will), and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. What Paul is saying in verse 25 is that of myself, without the Spirit, I delight in God's agape love, but without God's Spirit I can do nothing but serve sin. Here Paul is specifically discussing "coveting" or "lust" (see Romans 7:7). As a Pharisee he kept the letter of the law, but when he realized that the law condemns sinful thoughts he then realized that he was a transgressor. Yes and I think he is saying the 2 natures remain. Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Vandeman used to say that when you fill your mind with good things, many of them spiritual, rather than the other kind, you are not "feeding the tiger" of our fallen nature. We will continue to have a fallen nature until Jesus comes. But we need to walk in the Spirit. Paul said, I die daily. Maybe he wasn't tempted to get drunk but he might have been tempted to think "Oh man, shipwrecked again..." Of course all outward sin begins with a sinful desire: James 1:14 ...but each one is tempted when, by his own lust, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived (i.e., when the mind accepts it), it gives birth to sin....] Yes its out fallen nature clamoring for whatever. Interesting thoughts. Thanks for sharing the Venden sermons- did not know they were online. I did not believe righteousness by faith was the Third Angel's Message the first time I heard him. I fell asleep and had a nightmare, woke up and studied and found it was as he said.

I was actually responding to him.... I think you and I are on the same page here

I'm with Joe on the 70th week. I believe that last week will be the last 7 years of this age. I believe that last "week" will commence with an international command to restore and to rebuild the City of Jerusalem. Which MEANS that the City WILL be destroyed once again, at some point - future. Maybe not the WHOLE City. Just the old City - the ancient one. An evil "prince" to come will make a covenant with "the people" covering one "week". But in the middle of that "week", that prince will break the covenant, ending the daily (sacrifices) to set himself up as "god", to "sit in the Temple, showing himself that he is God." Then will commence the final period of 1260 days of persecution. That persecution only ENDS when dominion is given to the Son of Man at the heavenly judgment (Daniel 7:25). The point being - that the 70 weeks prophecy of Daniel 9 accurately predicted the coming and death of Messiah. We don't have to take that away, in order to ALSO believe that the last 7 years will be the final of this age. It is those verses concerning the last "week" of the seventy, which I believe have been misinterpreted. The sanctuary is cleansed - perfect tense - completed act - at the END of the 70 weeks. If you bring that last "week" down to the very END of this age, then the prophecy did not END in 1844!! The prophetic "clock" will begin ticking again WHEN Israel's right to exist is internationally recognized with a command to restore and to rebuild THAT City, including the Temple. Just my opinion. Rachel Cory Prophecy Viewpoint

I'm definitely in agreement that the pope is not infallible

Those solutions all imply an additional + or - sign within a box that isn't in evidence, so I think they're pretty shaky, even if we allowed more than one number per box.

Fame!!!!! Fame!!!!! You actually believe that the Jews/Israelites/Hebrews wanted all the things that happen to them throughout the years????? I don't know 1 Jew in my family that ever talks about the fame that they have received from the Holocaust, etc.!!!!! I don't even understand what the statement above means?????

Great great grandma paid 2¢ to the priest every week to get great great grandpa out of purgatory. When she died in 1902, his big toe was still there. We've tried and tried to get that toe out of purgatory - we've sent an explanatory letter along with a check to the archdiocese, but they sent back the check with no explanation. Alas, great great grandpa's big toe is still in purgatory..

The thrust of your post seems to be critical of those who are educated in the original languages of the Bible. In order for you be honest with your own criticism, you would have to bring that same criticism to the Bible every time you open it up because educated people in the original languages have translated it and copied it into languages from every tongue in the world.

Hello Robert, I totally agree with Trevor. Looking at how we can receive this experience, it is all about Him- knowing Him better. Some things that have helped me are spending time reading the Bible in a reflective way, really thinking about what is being said, praying to understand the Bible, and praying for a closer relationship with God. And listening to the promptings of God. I can better understand the Bible when I am listening more reflectively. Also, when I need to decide between things involving morals or ethics, I have a deeper feeling that one choice is better than another and want to be kinder when I am closer to God. When I spend a lot of time with God, I feel really bad if I do something I know is really wrong. This makes it easier to change behaviors and stop doing the same things I do not want to do over and over again. It makes the religious experience not just in my head but in my heart. We can ask God to help us get rid of these besetting sins. We really need His help, and it is kind of like a true principal mentioned in addiction recovery, even though they water down the Gospel. We realize our life is unmanageable without God. Then we ask Him to help us overcome our sins and lead a holy life. Every day. And we get out of the way. If He tells us to toss the tv or quit going where ever it is, we get out of the way. We don't argue. Speaking of tv movies whatever, say we watch people eat our favorite foods on tv all day long. What are we going to want to do or think about doing? Same with whatever else they are doing. As they say in the computer world, Garbage in. garbage out. It also helps to have friends who are spiritual who want to talk about spiritual things some and are mainly kind decent human beings we respect and care about. We hopefully can find a church where there are people like that.

Greetings Robert, Many of this forum would be more spiritual, but the following is my assessment. Galatians teaches the same lesson as Romans and the following expresses that the balance will be tipped in the favour of walking a holy life, a life that is not completely governed by the lusts of the flesh. Galatians 5:16-18 (KJV): 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Galatians 5:24-25 (KJV): 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. The phrase “so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” could at first reading be understood in two ways, that the flesh is triumphant over the Spirit, or the Spirit is triumphant over the flesh. But in the context of the encouragement of v16, then it is the Spirit that will be the victor. Could I suggest that the following is a very sensitive and important part of this process and each part needs to be personally appreciated and made a heart-felt conviction and understanding. Romans 8:2-3 (KJV): 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: It is only when the full realisation of what was accomplished in Jesus, and this is espoused also by following Jesus’ example that the balance between the flesh and the Spirit will start to be tipped in the Spirit’s favour. Paul gives some indication of his walk, or the life that he led after his conversion and identification with Christ crucified and resurrected. Galatians 2:20 (KJV): 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. It is easy to fall into the situation of Romans 7 where a knowledge of the Law, or law in general, does not empower a person to overcome the basic lusts of the flesh. Romans 8 moves into the area of the realisation of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, where Jesus was victorious over sin and its effects within himself. We can partake of this in measure when we identify with him and allow all of this to transform our hearts and mind. Yes there will be many and even continuous lapses in some areas, but the balance will be tipped and there will be a gradual transformation if the power of the gospel is allowed to work. Kind regards Trevor

Kevin said, in post # 7: I can understand why Kevin would never have heard that term used by SDAs. It is clearly a minority position and in its historic use, it has been mainly used by a group of SDAs from Europe. I was a student at Andrews Seminary at the time that a General Conference was held. A delegate to the GC Session, a high elected official in an European country who had given his life (He is now dead.) for the church, and who played a significant role in the development of the SDA Church in his native country spoke to us. (By the way, his biography has been published in English.) spoke to us Seminary students as to his belief that the soul was independent of the body and upon death went into an unconscious state which was only awakened at the resurrection. That was clearly a minority view. The majority of SDAs would not hold to that position. However, the Baptismal Vows do not (and did not) require any specific belief on this pint. Rather, they only require the belief in the unconscious state upon death with a consequent belief in the resurrection. Our friend, a denominational leader from Europe was in harmony with that basic belief. It is clear that God used that person in a major way in the development of the SDA denomination in that country. The lesson here that we all need to learn is: God does not require the same standard of perfected belief, that we humans may want to force on others, in order to use that person in doing the work of God. God is perfect. Humans are not. Our standard should always be to rise to the call of God as given us in the Bible. We should not expect 100% doctrinal perfection in any human being.

Why do we insist that the 70th week immediately follows the 69th week? "And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” (Dan 9:26-27; ESV) "After" doesn't necessarily mean immediately after. From the context, the 70th week is cut off from the previous 69. Just my opinion, but the 70th week is cut off until the time of the end. The "annointed one" and "prince" (Capitalization in other translations was added by translators) sure doesn't sound like Jesus - He never destroyed the city. Just my opinion; but the 70th week (of years) refers to a seven-yeat period of the "Time of the End". Then after half of that week, he puts an end to sacrifice. Sounds like the prince is more of an Antichrist than a Christ. To me, the last half of the 70th week week refers to the 1,260 days and the "time, times, and part of a time" refered to elsewhere in scripture. Sacrifice and offering are ended because the Antichrist is ruling from the Temple Mount at this time. I don't know if it was in this thread or another; but someone said that Daniel 9 is a continuation of the interpretation of the dream from Daniel 8. If this is so, the angel in Daniel 8 said: “Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.” And when he had spoken to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. But he touched me and made me stand up. He said, “Behold, I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of the indignation, for it refers to the appointed time of the end." (Dan. 8:17-19) If this is true, the appointed time of the end was NOT 457 BC to 33 AD; but we may currently be in (or about to enter) this time frame in our time.