Leaderboard

Since Jesus said He is the Truth, why would I even suggest that He lied? So, if He didn't lie and is the truth, then perhaps the real story of the plan of redemption is not understood. Jesus did allude numerous times that people would not understand and spoke in parables, the sanctuary service is indeed a parable of the act of redemption, and then perhaps the parable is not being understood by many. If it indeed was all finished on the cross, 2000 years ago, why are we still here on this earth enduring what we are enduring? I would suggest that "It is finished" was not referring to the whole plan of salvation and there was much more to be accomplished in the millenias to come. I think sometimes the cross is really misunderstood and definitely misapplied in the whole process of redemption. Given the fallen human heart of selfishness, we even think that redemption is all about us! We are only a small part of this whole plan of redemption and God was not only saving us, but He was saving His entire universe! I get that Scripture nowhere says that Jesus has to follow every iota of the sanctuary service, but that does not mean that he would not. EVERY part of the sanctuary service had meaning and in the earthly sanctuary every part was symbolic of that meaning. I tend to believe God is a god of order and does not waste symbols as to do so would only confuse those seeking Truth. And of course, being a God of Truth to have parts of the sanctuary service that have no meaning mixed with things that have meaning only leads to confusion. I think I can assure you, Jesus is not "fiddling around" in the sanctuary. This is eternal life and death stuff going on and no one takes it more seriously than God does.

It will be while or after it falls. Revelation says Babylon will be destroyed in one day. I believe that to be a literal 24 hour period. Unfortunately, it will also probably mean the devastation of Israel and the church just prior to the destruction of Babylon and the second Coming. While I do believe we are living in the time of the end; and unless we die untimely death we will see the Great tribulation and the second Coming, I don't believe we are even in the seals yet; much less the 6th vial of the wrath of God. When the earth experiences the wrath of God, it won't be subtle, questionable, localized events. It will be literally earth-shattering. The Bible says that nothing before or after will be as bad. To me that means worse than the Flood, worse than the Crusades, worse than the Black Plague, worse than the Holocaust, worse than the nuclear attack on Japan.

Just for the sake of discussion, I would like to propose another alternative for Babylon. 1. Rev.18:11-13 indicates that Babylon is a great city with massive wealth and huge merchant function. Jerusalem in NOT a worldwide center of merchant activity. “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves." 2.Rev. 18:17-19 indicates that sea merchants will lament the destruction of Babylon. Jerusalem does not have a port - much less a major seaport. “Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18 When they see the smoke of her burning,they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: “‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’ I would propose to you that these two prophecies indicate a much more major port than Jerusalem. What about Mecca/Medina? It is by far the largest port on the Red Sea and the center of non-petroleum merchant trade in the Middle East. 3. Mecca is also by for the most visited place on earth because of the Islamic hajj. Could Rev. 13:3 be a hint to this? Islam is projected to bypass Christianity as the world's largest religion by 2030 - by birth rate alone if nothing else. "The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast."

Frankly I am surprised at the ignorance in our church over this topic. It wasn't that long ago that even those who chose not to own guns supported the right because they understood that it is an important right in our constitution. The second amendment is recognized as a God given right. No the right to bear arms isn't so you can shoot a squirrel with an old rusty musket. "Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed, as they are in almost every country in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops." - Noah Webster, An Examination of the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution, October 10, 1787 "What country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms." - Thomas Jefferson, letter to James Madison, December 20, 1787 Some will argue yeah but only the "militia" (by their interpretation army) has the right? well what did our founding fathers mean when they spoke of militia? "I ask who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers." - George Mason, Address to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 4, 1788 God raise up the Untied States as a bastion of freedom in the world. What gave us that freedom? It was the gun. I've never heard of anyone complain about the use of the gun during the revolutionary war. We enjoy the freedom today those guns gave us. Is self defense Biblical? In Exodus 22:2 it says if a thief is stealing from you in the night and you kill him there is no consequence. Remember those who were convicted of murder were killed also. Some will say yes but Jesus said if you live by the sword you die by the sword. Yes He did, he also said "Luk 22:35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. Luk 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. " Christ sent them the first time totally reliant on His provision, the second time he told them to prepare for their travels themselves including making provision for self defense. So is it wrong if I see someone with a gun getting ready to harm others to use a gun to save life? I understand that Christ taught to live peaceably and non violently but I see nowhere in scripture that you are not allowed to protect your family or those around you. Thou shalt not kill means do not commit murder, it does not mean you cannot kill anyone. It's a hard topic I think and one each should follow their conscience on. I just wish that people made intelligent informed decisions on the topic instead of puppeting what some CNN commentator says about it. Our founding fathers realized the only insurance against tyranny was an armed population. Whether you want to own a gun or not is left to you and your conscience. I have carried for some years now. I told the Lord if He wants me to not carry to simply tell me, He has never brought the topic up. Would I use it in self defense of myself at present? Probably not. Would I use it to defend my wife or others in public? Without hesitation. I had an amusing situation at work some time ago. I worked at a place where a lot of the guys in the office were anti gun, they knew i carried. One day we had what we thought could possibly turn into a shooter situation. Guess what all the guys that hated guns in the office said, "I hope you have your gun." So I've found it's sort of like the atheist in the foxhole thing. People hate guns until they find themselves in danger, then they hope there is one around. A little P.S. Why did Christ tell Peter to put up His sword? Joh 18:11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? It was time for Christ to fulfill His mission, it was not time for resistance. Solomon says "Ecc 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ecc 3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;"

Stinsonmarri Rachel and I differ on the rapture and many other issues. But I like debating with her because she does not tell me that if I had more Holy Spirit, I would come round to her way of thinking. Instead, she has a vast knowledge of scripture, which she uses to justify her (sometimes wrong) position on a topic. At least I am left fully understanding why she believes the way she believes, because by the way she interprets a particular scripture, that would appear to be true. In turn, I try to point out "But what does the Bible ALSO say?" And so the conversation goes around in pleasant circles. We are all on a learning curve. You may be higher up on that learning curve than me. I may not recognise the error of my ways because I am so low down on that learning curve. So I ask you to spend less time praying for me, and more time pointing out scriptures relevant to the discussion which will convince me, for instance, that there is no rapture. Such as explain to me how two can be in one bed, and one is taken and the other left. This sounds (to uneducated me), a lot like a rapture or translation. And I don't believe this "translation" occurs at the very end when Christ comes with sound of trump, great glory etc. I believe this is Him coming like a thief in the night to snatch away his believers before even the first trumpet plague. I don't believe that when Christ comes, any will still be sleeping in bed. They will be hiding under that bed, screaming in terror for the mountains to fall on them to hide them from the face of Him who comes in glory like the sun, and with deafening trumpet blasts, loud enough to waken the dead. You may feel its not worth the effort trying to turn me from my errors. I appreciate the time and effort that goes into any post. But quoting scriptures on how God gives wisdom to the wise is of little help to me because I have no way of telling the wise from the otherwise, other than comparing what they say against scripture.