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it's taken me six decades to assert my life is not going to be ruled by the standards, dictates, or opinions of others... never, ever again...

For some things work out just great, like Sam, but for most I think it doesn't. I hope that Sam is thanking God everyday??

Sam got lucky that his home increased in value. We purchased a home. Lived in it. Paid the mortgage. Now 20 years later it's worth less than what we paid. Local real estate rehabs have driven the market down. They're buying up the foreclosed homes at below fair market value and renting them out at rates above their mortgage payment. A $70k home is purchased for $30k. They rent the home for $1000/month to Section 8. In 2 1/2 years they've made their initial investment back, and in 5 years they've made 100% return on investment. And they do this over and over again. All the while driving down the market value of everyone else's homes and destroying neighborhoods. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. In the end, it's an honest day's work that earns an honest day's wage.

Gail, Did you get your answer from my quote: "...those who kill you will think they are doing God a favor." Why? "They will do things like that because they do not know the Father or me."

Yeah, it always feels like going 'deep geek' to drop back to the command line... ;-)

yes, sometimes it's a judgment call.

I guess the few I have been to have not had that in front of the patients, and have been in parts of the country with lower rates of smoking. I know they have become corporately separate for liability reasons from the church itself- maybe this type of thing is the result. Very large institutions can be difficult to staff also. Speaking of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, Ellen White said, "There has not been a pure, fragrant, wholesome religious influence. " She also said it wasn't a good idea for Adventist young people to go there and take nurses' training because of secular worldly influences. Sounds like some parts of the problem remain although some are different.

Because others have also done it doesn't excuse the persecution in the past at the hand of those who did have the New Testament. What happened to the command to love our enemy?

The "tribulation of those days" is speaking of the 1260 days of persecution during which the Trumpet warning judgments will take place. I agree that the "man of sin" will "sit in the Temple" BEFORE the saints are gathered to Heaven. Revelation 19, is Heaven's exultation over the fall of Babylon. Rev 18:8, speaking of the fall of the Harlot, says "Therefore her plagues will come in one day." What DAY would that be? It will be the DAY that Jesus returns to execute judgment. The 7 last wrath plagues are poured out ON THE DAY that Jesus returns, just as He rescues His own. Lot was rescued by angels moments before the fireballs hit Sodom. Lot's wife represents those who WERE in covenant, but their hearts do not fully belong to Christ. Revelation 1-3 describes Christ casting Satan into the "bottomless pit". I believe Satan is the scapegoat. The scapegoat is banished to the "uninhabited place" ON THE DAY OF ATONEMENT. Which is just another reason why I believe that Christ will return ON the Day of Atonement (at the appointed time) to execute judgment upon those who have broken covenant without repentance, whose names are therefore "blotted out" from the Book of Life. They will be "cut off" - ON THAT DAY. Unlike Samie, I do NOT believe those who are judged and executed at the Second Coming, will be raised AGAIN to execute them AGAIN. Once is enough!! I do not want to get off-subject here. I just wanted to state what I believe, because Samie stated his belief.

Could you please provide a scripture referece for this? I couldn't find any references for it. I'm thinking it was "profesied" by EGW over 125 years ago. If so, I would consider a "forecast" rather than a "prophecy". If there is any day all 3 faiths will keep, it will be Friday if you want to keep your head attached to your body - especially if you live in the Middle east.