Bible PROPHECY for the ENDtime

[jsm]

Kwabena Donkor wrote a paper for the SDA BRI with some reasonable guidelines:

Dealing With “Discrepancies” in the Bible

By its very nature, Scripture encourages us to approach the Bible as a harmonious, consistent, trustworthy document which may still show evidence of human imperfection due to the human agency involved in its origin. The tension between the divine and human contributions to the production of Scripture is a creative tension that should not be flippantly resolved either in the direction of total divine control as in verbal/mechanical inspiration or in the direction of human ingenuity as in encounter revelation. Therefore, assuming the essential harmony of Scripture, we should seek to resolve apparent contradictions or discrepancies as far as possible by observing, among others, the following points:

(1) Read texts in their contexts by paying attention to time and circumstances of writing;

(2) be aware that biblical authors may legitimately use former writers and point out aspects that are not readily discerned in the original statements;

(3) keep in perspective oriental metaphors and hyperboles;

(4) take note of the practice of giving several names to one person, e.g. Edom/Esau and Gideon/Jerubbaal;

(5) remember that different authors may be emphasizing different viewpoints;

(6) consider the use of different modes of reckoning; and

(7) study the different principles of arranging ideas and data.

[Musicman1228]

"Holy" means to be 'set apart', as in consecrated (Strong's Greek #40). We have incorrectly placed in it the onus of righteousness. A person can be 'set apart' by truth or lies, by righteousness or unrighteousness, lawfulness or lawlessness. In the OT the term 'holy' is not used in conjunction with the Spirit of the Lord, or the Spirit of God. (Spirit in these cases is 'ruwach', Strong's 7307-wind; by resemblance breath, resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being.)

A person is not 'set apart' by the actions of another, they are only 'set apart' by their own actions. The idea that we can become 'holy' as a function of the actions of Jesus Christ on our behalf is a contradiction in terms. Jesus Christ is the powerful Son of God, but in this He has no power. By your choices and actions you will either be 'set apart' by being in the Kingdom of Heaven or by being in the kingdom of the world. Jesus does not, indeed cannot, do either of these 'setting aparts' (Holy as a verb not a noun) for you. The only person that makes you holy-set apart is you.

[John317]

See Deut. 7: 6 where God tells the people of Israel, before they were perfectly righteous, that they were a holy people unto the Lord.Deut. 7:6

For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

What makes us holy?

That God has chosen us to be a special people unto himself, "to be a people of His own possession." NASB

Now we need to make sure we are living in a way that's worthy of God's calling.

He said, "Be holy, for I am holy."

"You are to be a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation." Ex. 19: 5,6; cf 1 Peter 2: 5, 9; Rev. 1: 6; 5: 10.

[Dr. Rich]

Good John, but why? Why would God need or want a kingdom of priests?

[jsm]

It is evident below that EGW believed the Revelation 18 Loud Cry will be proclaimed by the 144,000 AFTER they are sealed.

It is also evident she believed the sealing takes place AFTER the National Sunday laws.

It is also evident that she understood the Revelation 18 Loud Cry will be proclaimed AFTER seals 5 and 6 in Revelation 6.

FIRST the 144,000 sealed and CLOTHED WITH CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS:

PK.587

Zechariah's vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with peculiar force to the experience of God's people in the closing scenes of the great day of atonement. The remnant church will then be brought into great trial and distress...Men will be required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine law....

PK.591

As the people of God afflict their souls before Him, pleading for purity of heart, the command is given, "Take away the filthy garments," and the encouraging words are spoken, "Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." Zechariah 3:4. The spotless robe of CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS is placed upon the tried, tempted, faithful children of God. The despised remnant are clothed in glorious apparel, nevermore to be defiled by the corruptions of the world. Their names are retained in the Lamb's book of life, enrolled among the faithful of all ages….

While Satan has been urging his accusations, holy angels, unseen, have been passing to and fro, placing upon the faithful ones THE SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD. These are they that stand upon Mount Zion with the Lamb, having the Father's name written in their foreheads. They sing the new song before the throne, that song which no man can learn save THE HUNDRED AND FORTY AND FOUR THOUSAND which were redeemed from the earth. "These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." Revelation 14:4, 5.

THEN those CLOTHED WITH CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS give the FINAL warning - after the Lord SHAKES TERRIBLY THE EARTH:

PK.725

Clad in the armor of CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS, the church is to enter upon her FINAL conflict. "Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners" (Song of Solomon 6:10), she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer…..

PK.727

"The loftiness of man shall be bowed down," declares Isaiah of the day of God's vengeance, "and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols He shall utterly abolish. . . . In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; to go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of His majesty, when He ariseth to SHAKE TERRIBLY THE EARTH." Isaiah 2:17-21.

This FINAL WARNING is the Revelation 18 LOUD CRY:

8T.118

The Loud Cry

As foretold in the eighteenth of Revelation, the third angel's message is to be proclaimed with great power by those who give the FINAL warning against the beast and his image.

The LOUD CRY comes AFTER THE FIFTH SEAL period of persecution and slaughter:

EGW Man Releases, Vol 20, p 14

“When the fifth seal was opened, John the Revelator in vision saw beneath the altar the company that were slain for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. AFTER THIS CAME THE SCENES DESCRIBED IN THE EIGHTEENTH OF REVELATION, when those who are faithful and true are called out of Babylon. Revelation 18:1-5 quoted.”

The LOUD CRY come AFTER THE SIXTH SEAL events when men will hide as GOD SHAKES TERRIBLY THE EARTH [Compare Isaiah 2:19-21 with Revelation 6:12-17]:

EGW in RH 7/5/1906

"How comes the word that I have declared that New York is to be swept away by a tidal wave? This I have never said. I have said, as I looked at the great buildings going up there, story after story, 'What terrible scenes will take place when the Lord shall arise to SHAKE TERRIBLY THE EARTH! [isaiah 2:19-21. Compare with 6th seal in Revelation 6:12-17] THEN THE WORDS OF REV. 18:1-3 WILL BE FULFILLED.' The whole of the eighteenth chapter of Revelation is a warning of what is coming on the earth.”

[LifeHiscost]

Kwabena Donkor wrote a paper for the SDA BRI with some reasonable guidelines:

Therefore, assuming the essential harmony of Scripture, we should seek to resolve apparent contradictions or discrepancies as far as possible by observing, among others, the following points:

(1) Read texts in their contexts by paying attention to time and circumstances of writing;

(2) be aware that biblical authors may legitimately use former writers and point out aspects that are not readily discerned in the original statements;

(3) keep in perspective oriental metaphors and hyperboles;

(4) take note of the practice of giving several names to one person, e.g. Edom/Esau and Gideon/Jerubbaal;

(5) remember that different authors may be emphasizing different viewpoints;

(6) consider the use of different modes of reckoning; and

(7) study the different principles of arranging ideas and data.

While following those guidelines doesn't eliminate all error from our conclusions as fallen human beings, any more than making up our own mind doesn't establish Truth, by and large it does more often than not, reveal to the world whose glory we really are seeking and whether we're more interested in gathering than we are in scattering.

"Let all things be done decently and in order." 1 Corinthians 14:40 NKJV

"One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. "Romans 14:5 NKJV

"He who is not with Me [definitely on My side] is against Me, and he who does not [definitely] gather with Me and for My side, scatters." Matthew 12:30 AMP

Brackets theirs LHC

While the texts above, used out of context, might seem to be less than useful to arrive at Truth, one can consider their benefit by asking what would occur if the opposite of their obvious intent were practiced.

Blessings!!

[LifeHiscost]

...it was about whether anything claiming to be inspired by God could be tested by the Old Testament or not. You tried to make it look like jsm was silly for believing it could. You brought up the Koran, the book of mormon etc. which lead me to believe you had no idea what jsm was talking about. (I still don't think you did) And of course these things CAN be tested by the OT. They fail the test, just like you do.

Stay on topic much?

Yeh, Richard, but you have to admit you do have a way of ticking people off that makes them frustrated for no other reason. However, just in case some would like another Word of substantiation to connect the synergistic reliability of the whole Holy Bible, not just bits and pieces that fit our personal theology, here's some verification connecting the Old and New Testament.

"I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago.

All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground. In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses.

All of them ate the same spiritual food, and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.

Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did..."

1 Corinthians 10:1-6 NLT

Seems pretty clear cut to me. But I do have to realize that all "Truth" is recognizable only to those willing to surrender their life to Jesus.

"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV

Blessings!

[LifeHiscost]

The only person that makes you holy-set apart is you.

" Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify (set apart) you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."1 Thessalonians 5:23 NKJV parenthesis mine LHC

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."John 15:4,5 NKJV

Regards!

[Musicman1228]

jsm said,

It is evident below that EGW believed the Revelation 18 Loud Cry will be proclaimed by the 144,000 AFTER they are sealed.

It is also evident she believed the sealing takes place AFTER the National Sunday laws.

It is also evident that she understood the Revelation 18 Loud Cry will be proclaimed AFTER seals 5 and 6 in Revelation 6.

FIRST the 144,000 sealed and CLOTHED WITH CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS.

The sealing of the 144,000 are described in Matt. 24:45-51 and Rev. 7:1-4(5-8). Matt. 25:1-13 shows that the 'midnight cry' (loud cry) occurs AFTER the sealing of the 144,000 in the previous passage (they are connected prophecies as there were no chapter breaks in the original).

The Fourth Seal in Rev.6:7-8 describes the events of the Trumpets 1-4 (Rev.8:6-12). Therefore, the midnight cry which wakes up the 10 bridesmaids must occur BEFORE the beginning of the Trumpets, which means that the sealing of the 144,000 takes place before either of these events. Since the "Sunday law" happens during the Great Tribulation (the time of the 7 Trumpets) this means that EGW was wrong in saying that the sealing of the 144,000 takes place after the Sunday law is passed (if there indeed IS a Sunday law). And since the Fourth Seal is the beginning of the Great Tribulation the Loud Cry must take place BEFORE the 4th Seal and not AFTER Seals #5 and #6.

Please show me Chapter and Verse in Bible prophecy where it says that the 144,000 are clothed in Christ's righteousness. I can't find that anywhere.

[Musicman1228]

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9-11.

What does this mean in comparison with what Paul says about salvation?

[wayfinder]

See Deut. 7: 6 where God tells the people of Israel, before they were perfectly righteous, that they were a holy people unto the Lord.Deut. 7:6

For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

What makes us holy?

That God has chosen us to be a special people unto himself, "to be a people of His own possession." NASB

Now we need to make sure we are living in a way that's worthy of God's calling.

He said, "Be holy, for I am holy."

"You are to be a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation." Ex. 19: 5,6; cf 1 Peter 2: 5, 9; Rev. 1: 6; 5: 10.

They were the people of the promise that God made to Abraham. God chose them for Himself and called them to holiness, so they could be a kingdom of priests a holy nation and the whole world would come to the point of decision, they must choose to worship and obey the true God, the God of Israel, or the false god, the god of this world. God has done the same today for His kingdom (SDA). God has called them apart from the world to be kingdom of priests (144,000)a holy people, set apart to worship and obey the true God. This kingdom and priests will proclaim to the world the truth during the trumpets.

Daniel 8:12 NAS

And on account of transgression the host will be given over to the horn along with the regular sacrifice ; and it will fling truth to the ground and perform its will and prosper.

[jsm]

mm, the following should be enough. I pray it will help you to understand that ALL OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS IS FROM GOD.

Jesus said, "WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING." John 15:5.

But "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME." Philippians 4:13.

Isaiah 61:10

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for HE HAS CLOTHED ME with the garments of salvation, HE HAS COVERED ME WITH THE ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Philippians 3:9

And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

Genesis 15:6

And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness.

Psalms 4:1

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness.

Jeremiah 23:6

In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel [REVELATION 7:4] shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Jeremiah 51:10

The LORD has brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Philippians 2.13

For it is God [through His Spirit] who works in you both to will [motives] and to do [actions] of His good pleasure.

Ezekiel 36:26-27

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

And I will put My spirit within you, and cause [motivate] you to walk in My statutes, and you shall keep My judgments, and do them [actions].

[Musicman1228]

The idea of imputed righteousness is anathema to the words of Jesus Christ.

[jsm]

Imputed righteousness is our title to heaven, and is ours BY FAITH [bELIEF] IN CHRIST.

James 2:23

And the scripture was fulfilled which said, Abraham BELIEVED GOD, and it was IMPUTED to him FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Genesis 15:6

And he [Abraham] believed in the LORD; and He counted [imputed] it to him for righteousness.

John 6:47

Verily, verily, I say to you, He who BELIEVES in Me has everlasting life.

John 6.28

Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye BELIEVE on Him whom he hath sent.

Jeremiah 23:6

In his days Judah shall be saved, and ISRAEL [REVELATION 7:4] shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Imparted righteousness is our fitness for heaven, and is a growing experience through the work of the Holy Spirit as we put our faith [belief] in Christ and follow His example:

"We are HIS WORKANSHIP" in this transformation process. Ephesians 2:10.

John 7:38-39

He who BELIEVES in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

But this spake He of the Spirit, which those who BELIEVE in Him should receive.

[Musicman1228]

Believes in 'what' about Him? Just that Jesus is the Son of God? Just that saying you believe in Him means you actually 'believe' in Him? God is going to take YOUR word for it? What proof can you show God that this is so?

And James got that context from Genesis wrong; so did Paul. Look it up and see what it really says in context in Gen.15:6: "And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness". The word 'counted' also means 'reckoned', meaning 'to add up'. Today we would use the modern word 'credited' as in a credit card. You charge on the card and then pay the bill later. This is exactly the context that is used by God in Gen.15. Abraham believed what God said to him about the promise of offspring and the promise of land, and it is for THIS belief that God charged righteousness to Abraham's account.

When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” Gen.17:1-2.

And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. Gen. 17:7.

And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you. Gen. 17:9-10.

Abraham AND his descendants were to be blameless before the Lord; this is not imputed righteousness, this is the real thing.

[Apropos of this conversation-did you know that it was NOT James the disciple of Jesus that wrote the book of James? It was actually James the 1/2 brother of Jesus that wrote the book of James. There is lots of interesting stuff surrounding this context, but I'll leave you to do your own discovery.}

[jsm]

mm, your unreasonable arguments against Bible truth are so very sad.

I will try just one more time:

Isaiah 54;17

"This is the heritage of the SERVANTS of the LORD, and THEIR RIGHTEOUSNESS IS FROM ME," SAYS THE LORD.

Are you a SERVANT of the Lord?

Isaiah 45:24

He shall say, "Surely IN THE LORD I HAVE RIGHTEOUSNESS and strength."

Remember, JESUS SAID, "WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING." John 15:5.

[Musicman1228]

mm, your unreasonable arguments against Bible truth are so very sad.

I will try just one more time:

Isaiah 54;17

"This is the heritage of the SERVANTS of the LORD, and THEIR RIGHTEOUSNESS IS FROM ME," SAYS THE LORD.

Are you a SERVANT of the Lord?

Isaiah 45:24

He shall say, "Surely IN THE LORD I HAVE RIGHTEOUSNESS and strength."

Remember, JESUS SAID, "WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING." John 15:5.

I think your arguments against becoming righteous are against truth.

Your last sentence is exactly what I have been saying all alone, but you will have none of it. All but a few here on the forum say that no one can become righteous, and not only that no one needs become righteous because Jesus did it for us. Then you use John 15:5 to show that I am wrong, but which actually proves my point exactly, and then you say I am wrong in making that declaration. The operative words in that text are 'do nothing'. Without Jesus we can DO NOTHING, which clearly states THAT WITH HIM YOU CAN DO SOMETHING. What is that 'something'? What I have been saying all along; become righteous. Nothing that I have quoted from Scripture has said anything other than this. I have not even used Paul's words to show that he was wrong. I only used the words of God from the OT and the words of Jesus from the NT to show that this concept is correct.

We must become righteous. Jesus does not become righteous FOR US. We must abide in the words of Jesus to become righteous. This abiding IS NOT doing or becoming righteous alone, by ourselves. When we abide in the words of Jesus the Holy Spirit comes to us and teaches us the truth of these words, which is sanctification, the end of which is righteousness. What is so difficult about that to understand. I'll tell you what is difficult about it; if you believe the words of Paul this understanding will be impossible for you to come to know as true. That is because his concept of righteousness says that NO ONE can EVER become righteous, and not only that we don't need to because we can claim the righteousness of Christ as our own to cover our filthy rags of sin, at which point we are righteous in Him. This is a bald faced lie, designed by Satan to get people to STAY in sin because they honestly believe they have no other choice. It is very sad.

[Dr. Rich]

jsm, question: Are you telling me that we have to let Jesus take over the steering wheel while driving thru this world? Are you saying that we can't steer ourself?

[jsm]

Rich, I am saying we need to do what Jesus asks when He says: "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me." Matthew 11:29.

mm, we agree on many things and are close on others; but far apart on some essentials.

The Holy Spirit does MORE than TEACH US. He TRANSFORMS US BY THE RENEWING OF OUR MINDS. Romans 12:2; Titus 3:5.

That is also explained in Ezekiel 36.27

And I will put MY SPIRIT within you, and cause you [MOTIVATE YOU] to walk in My statutes, and you shall keep My judgments, and do them.

Our natural motives are all self-centered;, and any change from that is through the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Remember, “LOVE IS OF GOD, and EVERYONE WHO LOVES IS BORN OF GOD.” 1 John 4:7.

How can we be BORN OF GOD? By being BORN OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD. John 3:3-8.

The thief on the cross was NOT saved by the “works of the law,” but by his FAITH in Jesus. And as with Abraham, that FAITH “WAS ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” James 2:23.

But from that beginning, we are to GROW UP INTO THE LIKENESS OF CHRIST "IN ALL THINGS." Ephesians 4:15.

Jesus told about the importance of right actions AND right thoughts. Matthew 5:27-28; 23:23-28.

And Paul says that as "touching the righteousness which is in the law"--as far as outward acts were concerned --he was "blameless" (Philippians 3:6); but when the spiritual character of the law was discerned, he saw himself a sinner. Judged by the letter of the law as men apply it to the outward life, he had abstained from sin; but when he looked into the depths of its holy precepts, and saw himself as God saw him, he bowed in humiliation and confessed his guilt. He says, "I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died." Romans 7:9. When he saw the spiritual nature of the law, sin appeared in its true hideousness, and his self-esteem was gone. SC 29.

Peter taught that we are to GROW in the grace and knowledge of Christ. 2 Peter 3:18.

And Paul taught that we are to GROW in RIGHTEOUSNESS as A FRUIT of the SPIRIT:

“The FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT is in all goodness, RIGHTEOUSNESS, and truth.” Ephesians 5:9.

We also must submit to God’s discipline to bear this FRUIT:

“Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of OBEDIENCE LEADING TO RIGHTEOUSNESS?” Romans 6:16.

“Now no discipline seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11.

“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, NOT having my own RIGHTEOUSNESS, which is from the law, BUT THAT [rightEOUSNESS] WHICH IS THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST, the RIGHTEOUSNESS which is from God BY FAITH.” Philippians 3:8-9.

“The righteousness of Christ consists in right actions and good works from pure, unselfish motives. Outside righteousness, while the inward adorning is wanting, will be of no avail.” 3T 528.

"'Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after RIGHTEOUSNESS: for they shall be filled.’ Matthew 5:6. RIGHTEOUSNESS is holiness, likeness to God, and "GOD IS LOVE." 1 John 4:16. It is conformity to the law of God, for "all Thy commandments are RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Psalm 119:172), and "LOVE is the fulfilling of the law" (Romans 13:10). RIGHTEOUSNESS IS LOVE and LOVE is the light and the life of God. The RIGHTEOUSNESS of God is embodied in Christ. We receive RIGHTEOUSNESS by receiving Him.” Mb 18.

“And this I pray, that your LOVE may abound still MORE AND MORE in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being FILLED WITH THE FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS which are BY JESUS CHRIST, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11.

[wayfinder]

I speak from personal experience when I say, what God teaches you makes others question you... to say the least.

[jsm]

wf, Your experiences are sad....to say the least.

Some of you may have read about this shocker:

If Elena Kagan replaces John Paul Stevens on the Supreme Court, it will be the FIRST TIME IN HISTORY that the Court has had NO PROTESTANT MEMBERS.

U.S. SUPREME COURT

John Roberts

  (Chief Justice) Catholic

Stephen G. Breyer Jewish

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Jewish

Anthony M. Kennedy Catholic

Antonin Scalia Catholic

Clarence Thomas Catholic

Samuel Alito Catholic

Sonia Sotomayor Catholic

Elena Kagan Jewish

x John Paul Stevens Protestant

As with what the Pope recently proposed for England, Catholic members in the U.S. are expected to PLEDGE LOYALTY TO THE POPE.

LONDON TIMES, Nov 2009

Leading Anglo-Catholics confirmed that CofE [Church of England] bishops who switch loyalty to Rome will have the power to ordain their own priests and that - with permission from the Pope - some of the newly-ordained priests may be married.

The gesture goes alongside a welcome package for Anglicans that will mean that CONVERTS WILL be able to worship according to services from the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer. Services will be re-written to remove references to the Queen as head of the church and to PLEDGE LOYALTY TO THE POPE.

[Dr. Rich]

Great! And right on time too. How come we couldn't get an Adventist in there?

[Musicman1228]

Great! And right on time too. How come we couldn't get an Adventist in there?

We won't have an Adventist on the court because they might have to work on the Sabbath. (This doesn't seem to bother the Jews.)

[Dr. Rich]

Let's see, since Romans 13 tells us that God places the leaders/rulers into power, then why couldn't a SDA become a Judge? Their work would then be considered a necessity as much as a health care giver or pastor.

[jsm]

Fellas, be careful. Your sarcasm about God's Word approaches blasphemy.

Compare what Paul wrote with what Daniel wrote:

Daniel 4:17

The Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever He will, and sets up over it the lowest of men.

Romans 13:1

Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.