Current events seem to have many people in a spin. If it's not about the imploding U.S. economy, it's about the constant loss of lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, or about some grave threat from one of America's 'enemies.'
People are losing their homes and there are supposedly tent cities sprouting up for those who have no real home; gas prices seem to be increasing, grocery prices, too; the bees in the U.S. are dying off, there are earthquakes, floods, snow storms -- many scary things seem to be happening in our world today. And many people find these things terrifying.
The Bible-thumpers are saying it is the sign of the times and that the end is near. That very well may be the case. But that isn't really my main concern...because, quite honestly, Bible-thumpers have been saying that for centuries. It always seems to be the end of the world.
One of the things that Christians can be quite sure about is that our LORD and Savior Jesus the Christ will return to the earth and claim His inheritance. The Holy Bible says He will separate the believers from those who have rejected him. The earth and heaven will pass away and a new heaven and new earth will come into being (Isaiah 65:16-18, Revelation 21:23). He will live and rule among the people (who have been cleansed) and we will worship Him openly and freely.
As a Christian, you take these as facts...the primary of which is that the LORD Jesus the Christ will return. In Matthew, Jesus explains this to His disciples:
Matthew 24:
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
So Jesus describes the setting of His second coming. Then He tells the disciples something very important in verse 36 of the same chapter in Matthew: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only."
The Christ goes on to say:
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.
44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Now I tell you this: If the LORD GOD Almighty's Son, Christ Jesus, said Himself that "of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven," THEN THAT IS A FACT.
Christ Jesus told His disciples in very plain terms that only the Father knows when the Son will be returning to earth. No one knows the day, hour, month, or year of Jesus the Christ's return to Earth. No one knows. Only the Father, GOD Almighty knows the exact day, hour and minute.
There is no one living on this earth today who can predict the "day or hour" of Christ Jesus' return. No man on earth has the wisdom, as it does not take wisdom, but divine revelation from GOD, since HE is the only ONE who knows. Is it possible that GOD may have revealed or will reveal the specific time to someone (or persons) walking among us today? -- Of course, but I find it very unlikely that the LORD would have this person advertising the precise day of Christ Jesus' return. Do you know why?
Consider these verses in the same book of Matthew 24:
45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?
46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.
If you everyone knew the exact day of Christ Jesus' return, then it would be quite likely that many would live a lax 'christian' life...with this foreknowledge that they have a time limit of sorts to repent.
The fact that GOD has not advertised the day of HIS Only Begotten Son's return is to inspire us to live a good, clean, holy and acceptable life before HIM always.
If you know that your boss could choose any old day of the week to give you an evaluation on your work, then you would probably make sure you always do good work. Likewise, if you know that your job evaluation is scheduled around the same time every year, you would probably decide on a good time to start "prepping" for a favorable evaluation. You want that raise, after all.
In like manner, live an acceptable life before the LORD always because you do not know the date of your evaluation, and you do want to sit with Him at the table when the banquet arrives, don't you?
As Jesus said, hold fast to what you have and let no man deceive you and keep you from inheriting eternal life. Don't think you can squeeze something in before Christ's appointed time. You may step away and never be able to return. GOD forgives, but HE does not forget and holds us all accountable for everything we do (unless HE chooses to blot it out).
If you are currently living in sin, it may be a good time to repent and turn towards GOD...while you can. Yes, you will suffer if you die or are "caught" living in your sin...or so it says in the Holy Bible.. Remember, GOD will show mercy to whom HE will show mercy, and have compassion on whom HE will have compassion.
If you are going to trust any man's words or calculations, trust the Most Divine Man ever come into this world - Jesus the Christ, the Living Son of GOD. If the LORD says no man, not even the angels of heaven, knows when He is returning, then believe Him for He does not lie. Don't be lead astray by the misguided and willfully ignorant, instead, to be sure, follow the Way, the Truth and the Light.
Brothers and sisters, "...hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations..."
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
There is one thing (out of many) that behooves me about so-called Christians. It seems eternally and without fail that these Christians are always the first to sign up for the latest cult and join the latest heretical, blasphemous bandwagon. Why? Why would you, one who calls him/herself a Christian, seek after another Jesus?
I am speaking specifically of the folks who follow the Jim Joneses, the David Kureshes, the Jose Luis de Jesus Mirandas, etc. We are supposedly Christians -- who believe in Christ Jesus, the Holy Bible and GOD Almighty, yet we follow anti-christs.
But we aren't to be surprised, are we? Jesus the Christ himself told the disciples that so-called Christians would do exactly what we have been doing since he left the earth. He explained quite plainly that false prophets and christs would come after him and that, if possible, even the very elect would be fooled.
Why, when even GOD HIMSELF tells us these things, do we still allow ourselves to be fooled? What are we looking for? Why can't we wait patiently on the LORD?
As it is written in Matthew 24:
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.
5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
6 ...See that you are not troubled;
23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it.
24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
25 See, I have told you beforehand.
26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.
27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
Lord Jesus says, "See, I am telling you before hand..." yet you will not listen (my own words). Don't you believe in your Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ? Can't you take him at his word? Look at all he has done for you...why would you doubt him now.
And how are we supposed to know when it is really Christ Jesus who has appeared? The answer to that, brothers and sisters, Jesus himself also provides.
In the verse above, Jesus the Christ compares his coming to lightning.
When there is thunder and lightning during a storm... it is not just a handful of people who hear and see it. Everyone in the neighborhood and in surrounding areas hears the thunder and sees the lightning. So my friends, you won't have to guess. And you know what else? It won't just be the Christians who see and recognize Christ Jesus' coming -- everyone with eyes to see ears to hear will see the Lord coming with his angels.
It reads in Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
Read that again, dear brothers and sisters. EVERY EYE WILL SEE HIM, EVEN THEY WHO PIERCED HIM. When the Lord Jesus the Christ comes to the earth a second time, IT WILL NOT BE A SECRET. IT WILL NOT BE SOMETHING THAT ONLY A FEW KNOW ABOUT. ALL -- EVERYONE -- WILL SEE AND KNOW WHEN CHRIST JESUS RETURNS.
Now the Spirit says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines or demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy...(Hebrews 4:1-2) But you, O man of GOD, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness... I urge you in the sight of GOD who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus..., that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords... (1 Timothy 6:11-15).
The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. (2 Timothy 4: 22)
Tell them who I am...
The Holy Bible says Jesus is the Son of GOD. The redeemer of the world. The true Prince of Peace, King of Kings and LORD of Lords. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.
Jesus is the one who saves us, who makes life possible, who makes us whole and gives us comfort and true peace.
Jesus was no prophet. He is greater than any prophet. Jesus was not a messenger. He was not a regular guy who just figured out the meaning of life and wanted to share it with everyone.
Jesus was most definitely not a myth. A fable, some fairy tale character someone made up. You know it in your core that GOD Almighty is real...that is why you reject him. And why do you reject him? - Because the road is too narrow, the burden too light and the circle too unpopular.
Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior. He knows everything that awaits us at the end of the road. Some of it is quite unpleasant, so knowing this, he wants us to avoid those troubles.
Jesus is the only way to avoid those troubles. He is the Way, the Truth and the Light.
The Way because he is the only way to the Father in heaven. The Truth because there is none besides him. And the Light because he gives us understanding, clarity and makes all things known. Sometimes it says he is the Life, which means just that... in him there is life, where things blossom, grow and are nurtured in abundance.
Jesus was flesh, blood and bones. But Jesus was also divine, sacred and perfect. He was Immanuel. GOD saw fit that we should know what the true consequence of sin is and what the true gift of life is. GOD had sent the Law and given instructions to guide us, but that wasn't good enough. The Laws were too abstract for some of us and for others, simply just words...nothing taken to heart.
So, GOD had to come down to earth and be one of us and live among us and teach us. And even then, when he was right in our face, doing what no man had ever done before, many of us rejected him still. And so it has been since he left Mary's womb.
You say you cannot believe in the possibility of immaculate conception. Yet you can believe in gravity...because scientists tell you it is so. Has science been able to tell you why our bodies are fashioned as they are? Has science been able to tell you why and how we actually reproduce little copies of ourselves? How could you possibly take the word of science when science did not make it so?
Did science form the clouds? Does science make it rain and snow and hail? Is it science that made land mass around the bodies of water?
Is it science that conducts cycles of nature -- that birds have their eggs and make sure to feed the young ones when they hatch? Is it science that makes the lioness kill for her young?
Is it science that wakes you up in the morning?
Is it science that is responsible for these natural herbs and vegetation that feeds us and sustains us? Is it science that gave us water -- the source of life? Is it science that gives you oxygen here and another type of gas in the universe?
Is it science that made the heavens so wonderful to look at? Is it science that put those planets on that path with the sun -- the source of light and life -- as their focal point...as their way?
Can science tell you why there are only those number of planets? Can science tell you why there is only one sun? Can science number the stars? Can science explain why stars die and why they are reborn?
Can science tell you why blood courses through your veins? Can science tell you why you have veins and these cells?
Science can't tell you any of these things. Science can only observe and describe what they observe. Science can not tell you why it is and why you are.
But yet you trust in science. You have made science your GOD. Why? What is it scientists are telling you that did not exist before they were even born, and that will still be when they die, when their bodies decompose and turns back into earth? Do you think science created you and all that is around you? Science cannot even tell you how mankind came to be. Science can't even tell you how this earth, the universe, the heavens came to be.
But they have, you say. No, they haven't. They have made very many guesses. But they are all 'theories,' aren't they? The Big Bang theory. The theory of Evolution. Science will never be able to tell you why and how you are and why what you see around you is. Never. These guesses will remain theories. And isn't that a big leap of faith, my friends? -- That you readily accept the Big Bang theory? You can believe that the beginning of all of this perfection (the order of your bodies, nature and life) is chaos... a random happening. Does the intricacy of your body look random to you? The hair that grows on your head and body? The two eyes that transmit sight? The tongue that allows you to take pleasure in what you eat, and allows you to communicate with each other? The heart that pumps blood for your body? The two lungs that allow you to recycle the air you breathe? The stomach, how it digests the food you eat...and how the worthless parts of this food leaves your body? Yes, I suppose science made that possible. I suppose science created the universe. Sure.
Why is it so hard to accept that a great thinker, someone creative and with infinite care made all that you are and what you see possible? Someone that made sure that when something falls into your eye, you're eye is cleanses itself? Is it science that designed your eye? That lets you shut out the dark when you are ready to sleep.
Do you know what science is based on? - Observation of creation. But instead of giving the glory to GOD Almighty, science gets the credit... when it is impossible for science to be responsible for creation when all science can do is observe the creation.
You want to believe in theories. OK. Here is a theory. And here is the evidence supporting that theory.
An intelligent being purposely made you, the heavens and the earth. What's the evidence? - You and it are.
When you are in trouble, you cry out to this being. When you are angry, you curse this being. When you are resentful and blind, you ridicule others for acknowledging this being.
Tell me, man, how you made yourself. Tell me, man, how it is that you are born and it is that you die. Tell me. I want to know how -- since you are lord of yourself -- how you make yourself wake up in the mornings. I want to know how you made this thing call sleep possible. Tell me, how does your brain do all that it does and tell me why. Tell me, man, why a sperm and an egg conjoined can spring new life...why one comes from a male of you and why the other from the female of you. Tell me. I want to know.
But lastly, man, I want you to tell me what happens when you die. I want you to prove to me -- no theories, here -- give me undeniable evidence that death is the ultimate end of you. Show me beyond the shadow of a doubt that once the blood stops flowing, the heart stops beating and the lungs give out that you are over. I don't want guesses or theories. Tell me unequivocally.
I know you cannot. Yet because science tells you that because the body is dead that whatever made the body not just another corpse (after all, that is essentially what science says you are, right? -- just a corpse with no real essence to you) is dead, too. But no kind of science that man can think of can prove this to you. Although I know you will try as countless others have. You see, you would rather believe other kinds of fairy tales than consider that this other so-called fairytale -- creation and salvation -- is real.
But you take your chances. Stay steadfast in your willful casting off one very grave possibility backed up by so much existence, while embracing one that could not even be considered it if was for the aforementioned one.
And I suppose you can talk it over with the ONE who created you when you meet HIM face-to-face.
Are You In Church Praising & Worshiping GOD Out Of Fear Or Love?
It may seem like an odd question. I mean, who goes to church unwillingly or out of fear of punishment from GOD? That's crazy. Right?
You and I both know that is the case with some folks. I remember as a kid, I would actually pretend I was dead so I wouldn't have to get up Sunday mornings and go to church (sad, I know). Eventually, I would roll out of bed, though, and head off to church with the family. Back then, I wasn't going to GOD'S house for myself...I was basically going because my parents said I had to. So I'm not too sure if I was in church clapping and signing because I really wanted to or because I believed I had to.
Things changed, however. I grew up and stumbled along the way, but eventually began a real walk with Christ Jesus. So do I love going to church now? -- Not always. But when I go, I try to make sure it's because I want to go. I really don't think GOD Almighty is going to condemn me for skipping when I am sick, tired or just not in the mood to go to Sunday service. I must admit, however, that sometimes I do feel a slight pang of guilt when I have no real reason to not go. After all, look at all GOD Almighty has done for me. Would it kill me to show my gratitude by going to fellowship at HIS tabernacle? But I always try to remember, it's meaningless to GOD if you do something while grumbling... or with the wrong motivation behind it.
And when I'm in church, I usually enjoy myself. I sing along in praise and I try to understand how the pastor's sermon can apply to my life and spiritual journey. I know that by my going to church doesn't 'do' anything for GOD really. Fellowship is more about the individuals getting together for edification. I know when I leave Sunday service, I leave with a full heart and a renewed spirit. Being around like-minded people who share the same love you do for GOD can do that to you...especially when you feel like an outcast in the world around you.
So back to the question of fear or love... I know for a fact that some folks think (mostly young people I know or used to know) going to church every Sunday is all you need to do to get into heaven. I know some folks who believe that simply going to church makes them somehow 'better' than the heathen that do not. And I wouldn't be surprised if there are some adults who tell their kids they won't get to heaven if they don't go to Sunday school. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
First off, Lucifer himself can walk into church... with a Bible under his arm and even go sit in the first pew. A church is just a building, my friends. It's the folks in the building that gives the place meaning. Don't let those Hollywood movies fool you... no statues and holy water can keep him out of a place he wants to be -- unless GOD Almighty forbids him.
Consider Job 1 (NKJV):
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.
7 And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
8 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”
9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing?
10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”
12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
Now, if GOD Almighty still gives Satan an audience when it pleases HIM and would even give him permission to raise his hand against one of HIS own servants... why do you think a simple church would be off bounds to the devil? If he can approach the presence of GOD, he can surely walk into a church filled with mere humans. And let's not forget how satan tempted Jesus the Christ after his baptism.
So simply attending church on a regular basis does nothing for your personal salvation. Satan can do that, too.
And it's not like you really need to go to a traditional church and go through some traditional 'routine' to really worship before the LORD. As Jesus the Christ said in Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
You see church is not about a physical location... it's a shared state of mind amongst a body of people.
As for going to church because you think GOD might strike you dead if you don't...if you really believe that then you don't know much about GOD. There's a difference between walking around on pins and needles because of someone and having reverence for someone.
Growing up, most of us respected our parents and conducted ourselves with them in mind. We knew our parents weren't going to murder us because we disobeyed them or broke one of their rules, but we did know that they would be disappointed. And why wouldn't they literally kill us? -- Because they loved us and simply wanted the best for us.
What's the first and greatest commandment given to Moses? Deuteronomy 10:
12 “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
13 and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?
And, yes, the 'fear' above is about respect and reverence...not about being afraid.
As it is written in Hebrews 12:28 "...let us have grace, by which we may serve GOD acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our GOD is a consuming fire."
And what did Jesus the Christ have to say about this? Matthew 22:
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38 This is the first and great commandment.
If you find yourself in church clapping your hands and singing those praise songs because you think that you have to and that someone is watching you, you're partly right -- GOD is watching you...and probably wondering what the heck you're doing.
Don't think that our Creator the LORD GOD Almighty wants to drag anyone kicking and screaming into heaven. You cannot be saved against your will. You have to willfully and joyfully accept the invitation extended to you. This GOD does not want spineless, frightened children following him blindly. HE wants courageous, spirit-filled warriors who love blindly among HIS flock.
Little-Big Questions You May Have About The Holy Bible, Jesus the Christ And/Or GOD
0 comments Posted by Name: Theist at 5:15 PMThis purpose of this page is to address the common misconceptions and questions many seem to have when it comes to the Holy Bible, Jesus the Christ and/or GOD Almighty. These are just the ones I can think of. If you've got a question or issue that's not addressed here, PLEASE ASK AWAY! And remember, I am not some sort of expert on the Holy Bible. If I falter, please correct me.
I used to work with a young lady who didn't even know that Jesus was actually a real person, and not some mythical creature a bunch of crazy Christians made up (Wiki and PBS). No one disputes that Jesus the man lived on earth - the Holy Bible tells you so, of course, but so do the history books the rest of the world relies on. Other faiths even acknowledge him. So, there is no question that Jesus actually was born into the world and walked it like you and me. The only issue is his divinity - his claim to be the Son of GOD - there's a long line of those who dispute that!
Another common question - why do you call him Jesus Christ? Is Christ his last name, or something? No. As far as antiquity shows, folks didn't really have last names like you and I yet. They often cited their parents or home town to distinguish which Simon or which John they were, for example. As for Jesus, he is called 'Christ' or 'the Christ' because Christians believe he is the Savior (the Messiah, the Anointed One)...which is the definition of christ. It should be Jesus the Christ, but who has time to say all that? So, just saying Jesus Christ has caught on. Although you won't people saying Jesus Messiah or Jesus Anointed One or Jesus Savior... I guess Jesus Christ rolls off the tongue easier...and some just say Christ Jesus.
In the Great Flood story, did Noah actually go out on some kind of safari and capture all of these pairs of animals GOD commanded him to house in the ark? Um, no. Be serious. It would have been much easier for GOD to instruct the animals to got to Noah instead. Does that seem ridiculous? This thing called nature - what is it that makes birds come back to the nest to feed their young? Why do penguins follow that peculiar route every time every year? What is it? Nature? What is nature? Unless you believe creation (you, me, the heavens, the animals, our intricate bodies) is all chance, it's obviously GOD who gets the credit for orchestrating 'nature'. But hey, that's my interpretation.
Job 38:
4“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.
5Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?
22“Have you entered the treasury of snow, Or have you seen the treasury of hail,
23Which I have reserved for the time of trouble, For the day of battle and war?
24By what way is light diffused, Or the east wind scattered over the earth?
25“Who has divided a channel for the overflowing water, Or a path for the thunderbolt,
26To cause it to rain on a land where there is no one, A wilderness in which there is no man;
27To satisfy the desolate waste, And cause to spring forth the growth of tender grass?
39“Can you hunt the prey for the lion, Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
40When they crouch in their dens, Or lurk in their lairs to lie in wait?
41Who provides food for the raven, When its young ones cry to God, And wander about for lack of food?
Blogger Asks 'What If I Were Gay?' | Commenter Insists Holy Bible Doesn't Condemn It
3 comments Posted by Name: Theist at 12:24 AMThis blog post came to my attention recently and I figured I might as well share it and my comment here.
An excerpt:
I have to say- I can’t believe anyone would just CHOOSE that. I can’t believe that Stella simply woke up one day and said, “you know, I think I’ll be a lesbian now.” I’m not saying that somewhere in her brain there wasn’t a switch that got turned at some point. She had some bad experiences, she didn’t want to go through what her mom went through. I just don’t think that it was a choice. I don’t think any sane person would look at a life of acceptance and a life of awkward conversations and say, “my life is too easy. Let’s mix this up.”
Stella, at least, had to have really believed that was who she was meant to be.
She still believes in God, the last I heard. She just has a lot of questions. It’s just too bad that there aren’t very many churches where they’d let her in long enough to ask them.
Now, the author of the blog post excerpted above is not my focus, for she makes a very good point. Most so-called Christians would rather outright condemn you and kick you out of church before actually sitting down and listening to someone's questions and concerns. We are supposed to treat people with love and compassion. Keywords, supposed to...
My issue is with this most ignorant commentator named John (could be a fake name) who had this to say:
john replied:
let me be clear. scripture has never said homosexuality was a sin. its only man who says scripture says it. and i challenge anyone to show me where the words in the verses of the bible say so.
i have never understood why all the concern about whether choice or innate. surely the only thing that is important in any intimate relationship is that there is a mutual commitment to be affirming and trustworthy and loving to each other.
This is really why I encourage everyone to pick up the Holy Bible and set some time aside and start really, really reading it. You don't have to read it straight from Genesis to Revelations, but you should read it. If John had but done that, he wouldn't have made such an erroneous statement...which is also misleading, because it's possible John heard that bit of misinformation from someone else who either lied or didn't bother to read GOD's Holy Word. So someone like John will take his mis-statement as fact and roll with it.
Read your Holy Bible, people.
Anyway, the error in John's statement: "scripture has never said homosexuality was a sin. its only man who says scripture says it."
Here is my reaction:
It says explicitly in more than one place — both Old Testament and New Testamnet — that it is sin for man to lay with man and for woman to lay with woman. Because the term ‘homosexual’ doesn’t appear in the Holy Text it doesn’t mean that that is not what’s being addressed.
And no, GOD doesn't hate 'fags' as some wicked people love to hatefully insist.
Take a look at the verses and consider them carefully. You need only to accept them or reject them.
The Holy Bible even addresses bestiality…and no, I’m not trying to link the two. The Holy Bible comments on everything dealing with sexual morality and sexual immorality, is my point.
OLD TESTAMENT:
Leviticus 18:20-24 (New King James Version) -
22)You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.
23)Nor shall you mate with any animal, to defile yourself with it. Nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it. It is perversion.
24)‘Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you.
And this same statute is mentioned again in Leviticus 20:13-17 (New King James Version).
NEW TESTAMENT:
Romans 1(New King James Version)-
24)Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25)who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26)For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27)Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28)And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29)being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
30)backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31)undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
32)who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
And I must say, you cannot pick and choose which part of GOD’s commands and statutes you’re going to follow. You’re either all in or you’re out. Yes, Jesus the Christ was all about love, but he was very serious about abiding by GOD Almighty’s laws (as you see when you read his interactions with the Pharisees and Sadducees).
If it was easy, everyone would be saved…so be quite careful of those calling themselves Christians.
Nothing is impossible for GOD. If you want to change, HE can change you. Are people born gay? - Unlikely. And I say all of this as one who has dealt personally with homosexuality. Are homosexuals some sort of ‘mistake’? Of course not. But they are sinners…as everyone is a sinner. And GOD cannot stand sin (it says that too, in the Holy Bible). Homosexuality is sexually immoral (sinful)…as is fornication, adultery, incest, bestiality, rape, etc.
And again, you either accept it or reject… it’s a bit too late to re-write the Holy Bible...though some people are trying very, very hard. There are answers to issues in the Holy Bible not explicitly answered, but this is definitely not one of those cases.
And here is a reaction from a man named Brian J Walsh (I think). I include it because he says it a lot gentler than I do:
You know, many people make bad choices for a lot of good reasons and good choices for a lot of bad reasons. I think your post really hit on that tension. Even if homosexuality is a bad choice (i.e. sinful) there can still be many good reasons behind it, like loving and caring for another human being. Separating those difficult tensions is a nearly impossible task and may only be worthy for an omniscient judge… like God. Point is, churches can’t play that role, they can’t be the omniscient judge (because they aren’t God) but they can and should point people towards God.
The other thing people often forget is that the path to God is NEVER fun, gentle, or easy. Everyone knows intuitively that becoming a better is hard, and if God wanted to make us into a MUCH better person, it follows that the process bight be incrementally much harder. No pain no gain, right? So maybe life isn’t all about the nicest, happiest, most pleasing choice, but about the best choice even when it is the hardest.
The owner of a wordpress blog that I stumbled upon poses that question, 'Does GOD Love Everybody?', and supposes to answer it by focusing on the early history of the Israeli people. He begins by examining the stories of the Hebrews once they had been freed from slavery and attempted to claim the land GOD had promised them. He questions the murders committed by the Hebrews against those around them. I don't dare try to defend or explain that, it is GOD's business after all. And I have yet to know a world without wars and conflict. I have yet to know a world without people who vehemently despise and hate GOD, who could care less if HE exists or not. Do such people deserve to die? I would never utter such words as I myself could face similar judgement. But if GOD rejects you, then that is it. Who are we to question HIM. But if HE has chosen you and you then reject him...good luck (though I'm not saying all will be lost).
But back to the question - does GOD love everybody?
Where in the Holy Bible does it say GOD loves everybody? Where does it say GOD loves unconditionally? Because it says 'FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD?' are we to suppose that means everyone and everything walking upon it? You ever consider that it means, GOD loves HIS creation, so HE threw them a rope? Remember, the rest of it says, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM (JESUS) SHOULD HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. GOD's love is deep and unending, sure. But it is not unconditional.
GOD loves HIS creation, but many of us could care less about HIM. It says quite plainly in the HOLY BIBLE, GOD will reject those who reject HIM. Are we to suppose that Lucifer (aka Satan) is loved by GOD? Don't be foolish.
Before I give you my response to the blogger's post, here is a verse for you to ponder. It's in the Holy Bible found in Malachi 1 (NKJV):
2 “I have loved you,” says the LORD. “ Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?' Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” Says the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved;
3 But Esau I have hated, And laid waste his mountains and his heritage For the jackals of the wilderness.” (If you want to know why GOD hated Esau, read Genesis).
Anyway, here is my response to that particular blogger's question. And I am not posting a link to his Web site because I do not promote ignorance of GOD and HIS Holy Word. You can find those lies pretty easily by yourself.
My friend. You are totally free to believe what you believe, just make sure you’re not embracing lies.
GOD does love the world… that is HIS creation. But that doesn’t mean it is unconditional. Show me in the Holy Bible where it says GOD loves unconditionally.
Have you not read that HE will reject those who reject HIM? As it says in Matthew 7 (NKJV):
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
And how about Matthew 10 (NKJV):
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
And take note of what else Jesus the Christ said about our Father's love for us in John 16:26-28 (NKJV):
26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you;
27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.
28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”
Please take special note of that, as it is the conditional promise in John 3:16 that everyone seems to forget about. GOD loves us and will save us IF we believe that HIS unique son Jesus is the Christ HE sent into the world to give us eternal life. You have to believe to receive, my friends. You can't hang around GOD forever if you secretly hate HIM and if you hate HIM, you reject HIM and if you reject HIM, you reject HIS son Jesus the Christ.
Numbers 14 (NKJV):
26 And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,
27 “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who complain against Me? I have heard the complaints which the children of Israel make against Me.
28 Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the LORD, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you:
29 The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above.
Many of us know full well about HIM, but for our own particular reasons, we reject HIM. Does that mean HE now hates us? I don’t think so, my friends. And I am sure we are still welcomed at HIS table. But we have known HIM and have turned our backs to HIM. So perhaps HE has now turned HIS back to us (or covers HIS ears when we attempt to speak to HIM, or closes HIS eyes to us)… that doesn’t mean HE has forgotten about us, as we have surely not completely wiped HIM from our own minds.
GOD loved David, but punished him for his sins. GOD loved Moses and even took his body so that Satan could not gain possession of it (read Jude 1, specifically verse 9). But GOD would not allow Moses to see the promised land…the same Moses HE chose to lead the Hebrews from captivity and had wandering around the desert for decades… GOD forbade him from stepping onto the land (HE let him see it from afar, however), because Moses himself had disappointed GOD. Read it in Deut. 32:48.
GOD IS LOVE. GOD loves you. GOD love me. GOD loves the sinner, but hates the sin. GOD doesn't just love Christians alone. How could that be if none of us are born Christians? We were all born sinners. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Just remember, the gift doesn't sit on the table forever...you must grasp it while you can.
Ephesians 2 (NKJV):
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)...
But GOD will not be mocked or made common. HE will rebuke those and punish and discipline those whom HE loves. No Christian expects that all will be well in their life… that them or their loved ones will not see death, oppression or illness. That is the world. If a so-called Christian believes that life will be made perfect for them and that all the pieces will fall into place once they turn their life over to Jesus the Christ, then they are still very much in darkness. Jesus did not die upon the cross and conquer death so that we could be healthy and wealthy all our days upon the earth… it was so we can have salvation…a perfect life after death.
Get it out of your head that GOD is some kind of puppet or statue in a church confined by walls or your wishes or will or actions. GOD is bound by no man or anything at all. HE will not bend for you. You must bend for HIM. If you are unwilling to do that, then I suppose you are lost. There is no compromise. HIS Way or the very broad high way that leads only to one place...eternal damnation.
And do yourself a favor the next time someone dares tell you that GOD loves unconditionally - ask them about Jacob and Esau.
I leave you with some words from 2 Peter 3:
1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),
2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,
3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,
4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”
5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,
6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.
7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
-Theist @ http://goodbible.blogspot.com
