I do agree with brother Chris' answer. They were "out of towners" so to speak.
We also see the word strangers used in the New Testament, in the book of Hebrews, and also in 3 John 1:5 which says, beloved, you do faithfully whatsoever you are doing to the brethren, and to strangers;
Now strangers in the New Testament, they are strange only in that they are unknown to the person that's being hospitable to them. They are strangers in that they are from out of town.
In other words, Gaius didn't ride his rickshaw down by the freeway and pick up strangers hitchhiking. These are strangers or visitors from out of town that were Christians who were traveling in the Lord's work.
And it says the brethren and the strangers. So he even helped the brothers there in the town that he was in.
In Hebrews 13:2, strangers had to do with Christians who were traveling through town, those involved in the Lord's work, who were in town. The inns or hotels were usually full. But even if they weren't, it was a place of prostitution and drinking.
And so when believers came into town, they would inquire if there were other believers in that town that had a room that was vacant.
And that's what this is making reference to. The strangers are people who are foreigners in the city that they're in.
It says, "For thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
In Genesis Chapters 18 and 19, first with Abraham, and then with Lot, they entertained angels unawares. They were not aware of it. And so some people might have an angel in their house and not even know it.
The Psalm certainly reminds us of Satan's role as the "accuser of the brethren". This is recorded in the earliest texts of scripture in Job; and Genesis; and is seen in the still future events in Revelation 12. Since the word them and they seems to be the context of the Psalm there are certainly powers and principalities under Satan's rulership that would probably plan to work on people to search out "iniquities" and "inward thoughts" such as verse 6 show.
It would seem that perhaps in the final judgment at Armageddon the destruction of those who are blaspheming God and no doubt the saints as Satan himself is starting in Revelation 13 will cause some of the fear in verse 9 and the rejoicing in verse 10.
I have tended to look to future prophetic final fulfillments to be strongly suggested not only in Psalms but most of scripture. There are certainly many things applicable to David as this one (albeit not specifically mentioning any particular event in his life that inspired these words).
Looking at my "cheat sheet" from church a few years back there are many types of Psalms; the "lament" one has a title/intro.; complaint; promises (petition); A statement of trust and Praise. (Thanks to K. D. a former elder in my church who taught this study; guess I'm not allowed to mention names here).
At any rate; there is certainly some mystery as to the order of the Psalms (not chronological) and to just when and where certain types appear; also of course some run through multiple chapters with the same writing. There are acrostic patterns we can't see except in the original language. May these verses and all scripture be real to us as we meditate on the Word day and night ( Joshua 1:8).
Hi Samuel. Are you referring to 2 Samuel 4:3: "sojourners"? If so, this word, as with 'strangers', applies to people that are not normally resident in that city or area, but had traveled to another place to visit or reside; as seen also in Exodus 22:21 & other references.
I did my own opinion piece on the subject the other day.
Without mentioning any particular charlatans by name (I'll let you use your imagination) anyone preaching a false doctrine or clearly in the ministry for "filthy lucre" ( 1 Peter 5:2) are not to be funded. So to begin this discussion we need to have a clear definition of what a true church is.
Assuming the church has the core doctrines and as we can best tell they are making a genuine attempt to proclaim the true Gospel message; the next thought is exactly what is the reasoning and methodology for asking for funding? I am certainly not going to say that every fund raising option other than directly fulfilling the Great Commission or taking care of immediate needs with a church building or hopefully the widows and others struggling in the church is wrong; but I certainly wouldn't feel obligated to put more than "chump change" into it (unless I suddenly came into a fortune). As I stated in my post the other day we should seek a clear financial statement from a church. One example I can give is that my current church had an issue with someone whose mental acuity after having COVID apparently was compromised and major errors occurred. Thankfully the man is still welcome to attend our church but others had to be called in to oversee the accounting (and also there are multiple checkers of figures involved as well). Transparency needs to be there; if anything to relegate cost effective means to get work done which may be better suggested by those for instance talented in building repair as contractors; etc.
As to methodology; I think anything which brings worldly vices for financial gain such as raffles; bingo etc should be ruled out.
As for rummage sales; I suppose that is ok; what I am more concerned about is if money from that is going to a ministry that is Godly; or to some politically correct activity that I can't support.
Even good TV preachers won't starve soon; they are last on my list.
Hello Bob. The Greek word for 'Church' (as in Matthew 18:17), is "ekklesia", which applies to a Church congregation, or even an assembly of people.
In Acts 19:38,39, we read, "Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful ASSEMBLY (ekklesia)." So here, we see the other use of the word, which the Bible translators correctly understood as not applying to the 'Church', but to a non-Church (legal) assembly.
But in Matthew chapter 18, Jesus is speaking to His disciples (verse 1), so as GiGi has shared, it can be accurately understood that this discourse given by Him, was a little insight to the future, i.e. in the administration of His Church, or Assembly, as the Holy Spirit had (or, was given) control & believers were added to it. When we look at this chapter, advice on conversion, humility, sin, conflict between the brethren & prayer are the topics the Lord brings up. Even as the Lord spoke to Peter in Matthew 16:18, that "upon this rock (the body of Truth) I will build my ekklesia".
Response to Revelation 15 (and I assume following passages for God's judgments).
Hey; what's up? I would say that when we are lifted up; i.e. raptured then the veil will be completely removed so that we are able to see what is now in visible in the spirit realm as well as seeing God Himself and Christ in their full glory without being consumed which we can't do in these mortal fleshly bodies.
So really; all of Revelation itself is breaking through to that realization-from John's initial vision of heaven where it appears he was taken to view the heavenly creatures and realm as well as what we may call "time travel" where these same spirit beings which were pictured in the Old Testament by Ezekiel and Isaiah continue to minister before God. He was able to see the future and things which MUST happen after these things; that is after the "church age" with the types of church mentioned in the first 2 chapters.
Simply put; we see the seals opened by Christ Himself; and will be undoubtably able to be made aware of what's going on in the earth (as the prayers of the saints seem to indicate). It appears as we stand there that we will merely see the destruction of the wicked ( Psalm 91:8). As for those on the earth they will by the sixth seal be aware of God and Christ beginning to judge; so in that sense there won't be any more atheists from that point forth; but sadly only Satan worshippers if people aren't worshipping the true God at that point. All the cards will be on the table so to speak.
Maybe the Lord will give you insight into these things. If He does; one should be aware that the enemy wants to render us ineffective. People want good news not news that Satan is about to come down to earth in the near future. But the Lord allows all these things before His coming; a sort of "clearing house" as it will to evict that usurper the Devil who has assumed rulership since Adam fell and lost some of his privileges.
I'm reading Job at the moment and lm struck by how much of the dialogue also finds its way into the new testament , in particular Jesus paraphrases a lot of things from Job , into his sermons . I'm determined to go through and mark out every bit that Jesus repeats . I'm always full of good intentions but I'm sorry to say that I rarely follow through with them .
It is interesting; I have never considered the same overcoming statement is for all the churches mentioned. There appears to be a qualifier with the Thyatira church as to keeping WORKS until the end; for they will have power over the nations. It seems to me that only a sector of the entire church of true believers has the privilege to rule as "kings and priests". Clearly there is a specific crown for martyrdom and other virtues of those who are longsuffering. Some on the other hand such as Smyrna may make it "as though through the fire" ( 1 Cor. 3:15) so that the second death itself can be averted. There are some who don't seem to find a difference in the "Bema Seat" judgment and the Great White Throne Judgement. Eschatologically speaking the Millennium is to be taken seriously. Still; as believers the whole issue of reward sometimes seems underappreciated (except for the wrong emphasis with the prosperity preachers). ( Heb. 11:6).
What is also noteworthy here is that the overcomer is involving certain individuals within each church; in other words only a subset of the "professing" believers are "possessing" ones of the Holy Ghost. This should stand as a stern warning so that we may do as 2 Cor. 13:5 states that we should "test ourselves to see if we are in the faith". Fruit must be in our lives that show that we are truly saved. We must also make sure that our garments remain unspotted from the world ( Rev. 3:4 and elsewhere). It could be argued that those whose garments are stained may not make it in the rapture; and some have to get purified then. That assumes the rapture is a reward issue ( Rev. 3:10; Luke 21:36). If it isn't then we can certainly say that most believers aren't praying that too often. Or; alternatively we could assume that if anyone IS a true believer they will wake up in time to hear the spiritual alarm bells that His coming is near.
I personally don't like coersion or manipulative tactics to get people to do things. It's probably not in the Bible, but probably done so the pastor can feel validated. I've seen things done in church that might have been sinful they were so manipulative and somewhat dishonest.
I have no doubt the pastor or leader likes it when people are showing signs of getting into the sermon or worship. I'm sure many work hard to try to motivate others and keep up enthusiasm. But I personally don't like cheer leaders- they are not in control of my emotional state. They have no idea what some are feeling. Doing nothing physically doesn't mean there's not a lot going on spiritually, emotionally, mentally.
Some aren't naturally very expressive and know if they what someone asked them to do it wouldn't be authentic. Basically I think leaders need to relax and not worry about their perceived reactions from people. I also don't think those attending should be shamed or bullied by church staff just because they don't meet their arbitrary expectations of expressive behavior.
I understand how you feel , I'm a very shy and reserved person who doesn't enjoy being the centre of attention . I think if my pastor was insisting I do this , I might start looking for a different congregation . No one should be made to feel uncomfortable in their own church . Matthew chapter 6 verse 1-18 .
Sorry if that sounded a bit off , it's just that you entitled your question : a question to all brethren , I know a few sisters who would have taken offence at that and I immediately thought of them when I read your post . Good night and God bless you .
The latter rain is March/April. And that's the last rain before harvest. That's the rain farmers look for there at the end for their crops to survive. So to be patient and wait for the coming of the Lord is like the early and latter rain.
And for a Jewish person, it is interesting how they would take this as God telling them literally the beginning and ending rain for harvest seasons. But the Messianic Jews take the early and latter rain to be symbols of the first coming and the second coming of Christ.
Christ came the first time. He planted the seed. The seed fell into the ground and died just like He said in John Chapter 12. But the harvest is now being produced, and at His second coming there will be the harvesting of the fruit.
But waiting for the Lord to come means to be slow in our human reaction toward the world, and keeping our human impulses in check. Don't get caught in the trap of going after the things of the world.
I do look forward to other comments. I look forward to your thoughts also.
I too am signing out for the evening. Have a good night!
I would like to share my understanding using James 5:7. For me to properly explain myself, I will take the entire verse.
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Obviously using the word brethren, used 21 times in this letter, is indication for us that he's talking to believers.
Now the word patience:
There are two words for patience in scripture. One is literally longsuffering, and that's the word used most of the time. That's also the word used here, but it's used patience instead of longsuffering.
This is Makrothumia, which means slow in human reaction. Slow in human reaction is called longsuffering, and it's usually used in application to our response to people.
Patience, Hupomeno, means to remain under. And that word is used for circumstances. So literally, patience is to remain under, and longsuffering is to be slow in human reaction.
But it's interesting that James in a command form says be patient, or literally longsuffering therefore brethren unto the coming of the Lord.
Be slow in your human reaction to the world, opposite of being impulsive, opposite of the things in the world, the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life that the world beckons to. Be slow in your human reaction towards the world until the coming of the Lord. Be patient.
And he gives an example here:
Behold, the husbandman, (the farmer), he waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience, (Makrothumia) for it, until he receives the early and latter rain.
Now God promised the Jews, His people, in Deuteronomy 11:14, He says I will give you the rain of your land in its due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in thy corn, and your wine and your oil.
The early rain is October/November, planting season, so that after they plant, the rains come and push the seed into the ground, and waters the ground.
Thank you dear Sammi. Why would I be offended? Aren't you included in the "brethern"? I also wish to hear other believers as well, and then we will try to come to a conclusion. Thank you. We will talk about it tomorrow, it is 1:30 after midnight here. Have a blessed night.
I don't think that that dream of yours is about the last fight of Armageddon. I think that God is telling you (as well as all of us) that during this life we will have (spiritual) fights with the devil all the time untill the very end of our lives. The only way one can win is by using (following) God's Word and commandements/directions written in the Bible. This is our sword which is an offensive weapon, but we also have defensive weapons, for these please read Ephesians 6:10-18, where the armor that God provides His children is described. BUT those who will stay faithful untill the end, they will come to the earth together with Jesus Christ and all the saints and His angels to fight against the antichrist and his armies in the fight of Armageddon. And so we will be with Him for ever...
1 Kings 18:30, "And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he REPAIRED THE ALTAR of the LORD that was broken down."
Rev 8:3, "And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the PRAYERS OF ALL SAINTS upon the GOLDEN ALTAR which was before the throne"
First thing first, we have to repair the altar of God that is broken down (if this is the case) and offer our sacrifices which are our prayers. So we start with praying. And what is going to happen?
1 Kings 18:38, "Then the fire (The Holly Spirit) of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench."
I have always connected , in my mind , the former and latter rain , with the following parable : Matthew chapter 19 verse 30 , through chapter 20 verse 1- 16 . Would you be offended if a sister gives her opinion ?
At three different places in the Bible, a former/early and a latter rain are mentioned:
1. Joel 2:23, 'Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month."
2. Hosea 6:23, "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."
3. James 5:7, "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain."
What is this former/latter rain? Is it just a figure of speech or it may imply something? Do you think that it may imply something for us now in the last(of the last) days?
Church of Ephesus, "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
Church of Smyrna, "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."
Church of Pergamus, "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."
Chutch of Thyatira, "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:"
Church of Sardis, "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."
Church of Philadelpia, "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name."
Church of Laodicea, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Dear J, I will pray for your work situation today.
Dear Heavenly Father, today we come to You and ask that You will bring a good resolve to this work situation J is in. We ask that You will bring correction to the person sowing discord among the people at J's workplace and bring this person to repentance. Bring healing to all in this situation and restore the environment to health and cooperation and respect for one another. Father, we ask these things in the name of Your Son, Jesus, Amen.
Dear David, I will pray for you and your loved ones today.
Dear Heavenly Father, we lift up David and Kristie today and ask that you richly bless the in their marriage, as parents, and in their friendships with others. We ask that You bring a job to Adam soon so that he and his family will be provided for at this time and in an ongoing way. And we ask that You heal Kristie's father of cancer. Help this family with all that they face that concerns them and needs Your power and grace and mercy to bring blessing instead of hardships. We ask all this of You Father, In the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
I agree with Jesse in that no one should compel others to lift hands up in worship, but it can be suggested. And again, one should not do so just to go along with the crowd. One should do so to worship.
Lifting hands in worship is normative as indicated in psalms of David were many include words and actions of worship and praise. I do think that there is a time and place for all that is acceptable worship. A time to be still, quiet and meditative, a time to be exuberant in praise, a time to kneel and petition God, etc. Lifting hands is just one action of worship that can occur in a communal time of worship. Most people who do not wish to lift up their hands in worship or speak against doing so are those who are very uncomfortable around people who do lift up their hands in worship or would be uncomfortable doing so or too self-conscious. Such people should not judge others' expression of worship, but should examine themselves to see if they do not lift their hands for reasons that are fleshly. Those who lift up hands can do so in a fleshly way, too. We should be focused on God and not on one another or our own selves.
Here are some Scriptures that speak of lifting hands in worship.
Ps. 29:8; Ps. 64:4; Ps. 134:2; La. 2:19; La. 3:34; 1Tim.2:8; Ex.17:16; Ne. 8:6; Ps. 141:2. And Jesus lifted up his hands to bless others in Lk. 24:50;
Scriptures also speak of lifting up our eyes, hearts, souls to God and giving out a shout out loud to God, clapping hands, and calling upon God. m
Winson, it seems that you are probably most comfortable with worshipping in a quiet, thoughtful way, which is so good to do.
I would say that the Scriptures speaks of a variety of ways people worship Him and these actions are acceptable to Him.
For me, having been brought up in a liturgical church, learning on my own that the Scriptures speaks of other ways to worship challenged me to practice these in my private worship in order to become comfortable with doing so
Here are a few verses that might be of help to you . Isaiah chapter 11 verse 2 . Zechariah chapter 12 verse 10 and John chapter 14 verse 17 , chapter 15 verse 26 and chapter 16 verse 13 .
Will people on earth see these things when Jesus comes back, or will this all be in like heaven or something, like where John saw all this? I mean i know im only 12 and thugs might seem like a stupid Question but i really want to know.
God is the creator of all children. according to his will Just wanted to point out this
Exodus 4:11
The LORD said to him, "Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the LORD?
It tells us that out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices:
This will be the expression of God's judgment whenever He judges. We see it throughout the book of Revelation. There will be lightnings and thunderings and sounds coming out from the throne.
It says, and there were seven lamps of fire before the throne, which are the (seven spirits of God).
We see these seven spirits back in Revelation 1:4. And if we follow it through in Chapter 4, along with Revelation 5:6, it tells us that these seven spirits of God are the seven eyes of God going throughout the world.
It is the seven fold complete ministry of the Holy Spirit held by both the Jews, and of course the scripture itself teaches that.
In Zechariah Chapters 4 and 10, it also tells us that the seven lamps are the seven eyes of the Lord, the all-seeing one.
So before the throne, the seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God (The 7 eyes of God).
In Revelation 5:6, we have a Lamb that had been standing there as it had been slain, having seven horns and (seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God), sent forth into all the earth.
Daniel Chapter 7 tells us that the horns represent power and authority. And of course the eyes, again, Zechariah tells us that the Messiah has seven eyes. I don't believe it is talking about the literal eyeball.
The word seven in scripture means complete. It means that He (God) is in complete authority, and He sees everything fully and completely.
I do agree with brother Chris' answer. They were "out of towners" so to speak.
We also see the word strangers used in the New Testament, in the book of Hebrews, and also in 3 John 1:5 which says, beloved, you do faithfully whatsoever you are doing to the brethren, and to strangers;
Now strangers in the New Testament, they are strange only in that they are unknown to the person that's being hospitable to them. They are strangers in that they are from out of town.
In other words, Gaius didn't ride his rickshaw down by the freeway and pick up strangers hitchhiking. These are strangers or visitors from out of town that were Christians who were traveling in the Lord's work.
And it says the brethren and the strangers. So he even helped the brothers there in the town that he was in.
In Hebrews 13:2, strangers had to do with Christians who were traveling through town, those involved in the Lord's work, who were in town. The inns or hotels were usually full. But even if they weren't, it was a place of prostitution and drinking.
And so when believers came into town, they would inquire if there were other believers in that town that had a room that was vacant.
And that's what this is making reference to. The strangers are people who are foreigners in the city that they're in.
It says, "For thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
In Genesis Chapters 18 and 19, first with Abraham, and then with Lot, they entertained angels unawares. They were not aware of it. And so some people might have an angel in their house and not even know it.
The Psalm certainly reminds us of Satan's role as the "accuser of the brethren". This is recorded in the earliest texts of scripture in Job; and Genesis; and is seen in the still future events in Revelation 12. Since the word them and they seems to be the context of the Psalm there are certainly powers and principalities under Satan's rulership that would probably plan to work on people to search out "iniquities" and "inward thoughts" such as verse 6 show.
It would seem that perhaps in the final judgment at Armageddon the destruction of those who are blaspheming God and no doubt the saints as Satan himself is starting in Revelation 13 will cause some of the fear in verse 9 and the rejoicing in verse 10.
I have tended to look to future prophetic final fulfillments to be strongly suggested not only in Psalms but most of scripture. There are certainly many things applicable to David as this one (albeit not specifically mentioning any particular event in his life that inspired these words).
Looking at my "cheat sheet" from church a few years back there are many types of Psalms; the "lament" one has a title/intro.; complaint; promises (petition); A statement of trust and Praise. (Thanks to K. D. a former elder in my church who taught this study; guess I'm not allowed to mention names here).
At any rate; there is certainly some mystery as to the order of the Psalms (not chronological) and to just when and where certain types appear; also of course some run through multiple chapters with the same writing. There are acrostic patterns we can't see except in the original language. May these verses and all scripture be real to us as we meditate on the Word day and night ( Joshua 1:8).
Without mentioning any particular charlatans by name (I'll let you use your imagination) anyone preaching a false doctrine or clearly in the ministry for "filthy lucre" ( 1 Peter 5:2) are not to be funded. So to begin this discussion we need to have a clear definition of what a true church is.
Assuming the church has the core doctrines and as we can best tell they are making a genuine attempt to proclaim the true Gospel message; the next thought is exactly what is the reasoning and methodology for asking for funding? I am certainly not going to say that every fund raising option other than directly fulfilling the Great Commission or taking care of immediate needs with a church building or hopefully the widows and others struggling in the church is wrong; but I certainly wouldn't feel obligated to put more than "chump change" into it (unless I suddenly came into a fortune). As I stated in my post the other day we should seek a clear financial statement from a church. One example I can give is that my current church had an issue with someone whose mental acuity after having COVID apparently was compromised and major errors occurred. Thankfully the man is still welcome to attend our church but others had to be called in to oversee the accounting (and also there are multiple checkers of figures involved as well). Transparency needs to be there; if anything to relegate cost effective means to get work done which may be better suggested by those for instance talented in building repair as contractors; etc.
As to methodology; I think anything which brings worldly vices for financial gain such as raffles; bingo etc should be ruled out.
As for rummage sales; I suppose that is ok; what I am more concerned about is if money from that is going to a ministry that is Godly; or to some politically correct activity that I can't support.
Even good TV preachers won't starve soon; they are last on my list.
In Acts 19:38,39, we read, "Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful ASSEMBLY (ekklesia)." So here, we see the other use of the word, which the Bible translators correctly understood as not applying to the 'Church', but to a non-Church (legal) assembly.
But in Matthew chapter 18, Jesus is speaking to His disciples (verse 1), so as GiGi has shared, it can be accurately understood that this discourse given by Him, was a little insight to the future, i.e. in the administration of His Church, or Assembly, as the Holy Spirit had (or, was given) control & believers were added to it. When we look at this chapter, advice on conversion, humility, sin, conflict between the brethren & prayer are the topics the Lord brings up. Even as the Lord spoke to Peter in Matthew 16:18, that "upon this rock (the body of Truth) I will build my ekklesia".
Hey; what's up? I would say that when we are lifted up; i.e. raptured then the veil will be completely removed so that we are able to see what is now in visible in the spirit realm as well as seeing God Himself and Christ in their full glory without being consumed which we can't do in these mortal fleshly bodies.
So really; all of Revelation itself is breaking through to that realization-from John's initial vision of heaven where it appears he was taken to view the heavenly creatures and realm as well as what we may call "time travel" where these same spirit beings which were pictured in the Old Testament by Ezekiel and Isaiah continue to minister before God. He was able to see the future and things which MUST happen after these things; that is after the "church age" with the types of church mentioned in the first 2 chapters.
Simply put; we see the seals opened by Christ Himself; and will be undoubtably able to be made aware of what's going on in the earth (as the prayers of the saints seem to indicate). It appears as we stand there that we will merely see the destruction of the wicked ( Psalm 91:8). As for those on the earth they will by the sixth seal be aware of God and Christ beginning to judge; so in that sense there won't be any more atheists from that point forth; but sadly only Satan worshippers if people aren't worshipping the true God at that point. All the cards will be on the table so to speak.
Maybe the Lord will give you insight into these things. If He does; one should be aware that the enemy wants to render us ineffective. People want good news not news that Satan is about to come down to earth in the near future. But the Lord allows all these things before His coming; a sort of "clearing house" as it will to evict that usurper the Devil who has assumed rulership since Adam fell and lost some of his privileges.
That's the way I see it.
Agape.
What is also noteworthy here is that the overcomer is involving certain individuals within each church; in other words only a subset of the "professing" believers are "possessing" ones of the Holy Ghost. This should stand as a stern warning so that we may do as 2 Cor. 13:5 states that we should "test ourselves to see if we are in the faith". Fruit must be in our lives that show that we are truly saved. We must also make sure that our garments remain unspotted from the world ( Rev. 3:4 and elsewhere). It could be argued that those whose garments are stained may not make it in the rapture; and some have to get purified then. That assumes the rapture is a reward issue ( Rev. 3:10; Luke 21:36). If it isn't then we can certainly say that most believers aren't praying that too often. Or; alternatively we could assume that if anyone IS a true believer they will wake up in time to hear the spiritual alarm bells that His coming is near.
Agape; Rich P
I have no doubt the pastor or leader likes it when people are showing signs of getting into the sermon or worship. I'm sure many work hard to try to motivate others and keep up enthusiasm. But I personally don't like cheer leaders- they are not in control of my emotional state. They have no idea what some are feeling. Doing nothing physically doesn't mean there's not a lot going on spiritually, emotionally, mentally.
Some aren't naturally very expressive and know if they what someone asked them to do it wouldn't be authentic. Basically I think leaders need to relax and not worry about their perceived reactions from people. I also don't think those attending should be shamed or bullied by church staff just because they don't meet their arbitrary expectations of expressive behavior.
The latter rain is March/April. And that's the last rain before harvest. That's the rain farmers look for there at the end for their crops to survive. So to be patient and wait for the coming of the Lord is like the early and latter rain.
And for a Jewish person, it is interesting how they would take this as God telling them literally the beginning and ending rain for harvest seasons. But the Messianic Jews take the early and latter rain to be symbols of the first coming and the second coming of Christ.
Christ came the first time. He planted the seed. The seed fell into the ground and died just like He said in John Chapter 12. But the harvest is now being produced, and at His second coming there will be the harvesting of the fruit.
But waiting for the Lord to come means to be slow in our human reaction toward the world, and keeping our human impulses in check. Don't get caught in the trap of going after the things of the world.
I do look forward to other comments. I look forward to your thoughts also.
I too am signing out for the evening. Have a good night!
I would like to share my understanding using James 5:7. For me to properly explain myself, I will take the entire verse.
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Obviously using the word brethren, used 21 times in this letter, is indication for us that he's talking to believers.
Now the word patience:
There are two words for patience in scripture. One is literally longsuffering, and that's the word used most of the time. That's also the word used here, but it's used patience instead of longsuffering.
This is Makrothumia, which means slow in human reaction. Slow in human reaction is called longsuffering, and it's usually used in application to our response to people.
Patience, Hupomeno, means to remain under. And that word is used for circumstances. So literally, patience is to remain under, and longsuffering is to be slow in human reaction.
But it's interesting that James in a command form says be patient, or literally longsuffering therefore brethren unto the coming of the Lord.
Be slow in your human reaction to the world, opposite of being impulsive, opposite of the things in the world, the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life that the world beckons to. Be slow in your human reaction towards the world until the coming of the Lord. Be patient.
And he gives an example here:
Behold, the husbandman, (the farmer), he waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience, (Makrothumia) for it, until he receives the early and latter rain.
Now God promised the Jews, His people, in Deuteronomy 11:14, He says I will give you the rain of your land in its due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in thy corn, and your wine and your oil.
The early rain is October/November, planting season, so that after they plant, the rains come and push the seed into the ground, and waters the ground.
Out of space so I need to send a part 2.
I don't think that that dream of yours is about the last fight of Armageddon. I think that God is telling you (as well as all of us) that during this life we will have (spiritual) fights with the devil all the time untill the very end of our lives. The only way one can win is by using (following) God's Word and commandements/directions written in the Bible. This is our sword which is an offensive weapon, but we also have defensive weapons, for these please read Ephesians 6:10-18, where the armor that God provides His children is described. BUT those who will stay faithful untill the end, they will come to the earth together with Jesus Christ and all the saints and His angels to fight against the antichrist and his armies in the fight of Armageddon. And so we will be with Him for ever...
GBU
Rev 8:3, "And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the PRAYERS OF ALL SAINTS upon the GOLDEN ALTAR which was before the throne"
First thing first, we have to repair the altar of God that is broken down (if this is the case) and offer our sacrifices which are our prayers. So we start with praying. And what is going to happen?
1 Kings 18:38, "Then the fire (The Holly Spirit) of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench."
At three different places in the Bible, a former/early and a latter rain are mentioned:
1. Joel 2:23, 'Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month."
2. Hosea 6:23, "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."
3. James 5:7, "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain."
What is this former/latter rain? Is it just a figure of speech or it may imply something? Do you think that it may imply something for us now in the last(of the last) days?
Church of Smyrna, "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."
Church of Pergamus, "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."
Chutch of Thyatira, "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:"
Church of Sardis, "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."
Church of Philadelpia, "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name."
Church of Laodicea, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Dear Heavenly Father, today we come to You and ask that You will bring a good resolve to this work situation J is in. We ask that You will bring correction to the person sowing discord among the people at J's workplace and bring this person to repentance. Bring healing to all in this situation and restore the environment to health and cooperation and respect for one another. Father, we ask these things in the name of Your Son, Jesus, Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father, we lift up David and Kristie today and ask that you richly bless the in their marriage, as parents, and in their friendships with others. We ask that You bring a job to Adam soon so that he and his family will be provided for at this time and in an ongoing way. And we ask that You heal Kristie's father of cancer. Help this family with all that they face that concerns them and needs Your power and grace and mercy to bring blessing instead of hardships. We ask all this of You Father, In the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
I agree with Jesse in that no one should compel others to lift hands up in worship, but it can be suggested. And again, one should not do so just to go along with the crowd. One should do so to worship.
Lifting hands in worship is normative as indicated in psalms of David were many include words and actions of worship and praise. I do think that there is a time and place for all that is acceptable worship. A time to be still, quiet and meditative, a time to be exuberant in praise, a time to kneel and petition God, etc. Lifting hands is just one action of worship that can occur in a communal time of worship. Most people who do not wish to lift up their hands in worship or speak against doing so are those who are very uncomfortable around people who do lift up their hands in worship or would be uncomfortable doing so or too self-conscious. Such people should not judge others' expression of worship, but should examine themselves to see if they do not lift their hands for reasons that are fleshly. Those who lift up hands can do so in a fleshly way, too. We should be focused on God and not on one another or our own selves.
Here are some Scriptures that speak of lifting hands in worship.
Ps. 29:8; Ps. 64:4; Ps. 134:2; La. 2:19; La. 3:34; 1Tim.2:8; Ex.17:16; Ne. 8:6; Ps. 141:2. And Jesus lifted up his hands to bless others in Lk. 24:50;
Scriptures also speak of lifting up our eyes, hearts, souls to God and giving out a shout out loud to God, clapping hands, and calling upon God. m
Winson, it seems that you are probably most comfortable with worshipping in a quiet, thoughtful way, which is so good to do.
I would say that the Scriptures speaks of a variety of ways people worship Him and these actions are acceptable to Him.
For me, having been brought up in a liturgical church, learning on my own that the Scriptures speaks of other ways to worship challenged me to practice these in my private worship in order to become comfortable with doing so
1.God created only two genders as its written in the scriptures.
2.LGBT is man-made due to the lust of their hearts and God has given them over to their own imaginations
Please read the book of genesis 1:27 and Romans 1
Repent and pray for God to help you understand his words Amen
God is the creator of all children. according to his will Just wanted to point out this
Exodus 4:11
The LORD said to him, "Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the LORD?
It tells us that out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices:
This will be the expression of God's judgment whenever He judges. We see it throughout the book of Revelation. There will be lightnings and thunderings and sounds coming out from the throne.
It says, and there were seven lamps of fire before the throne, which are the (seven spirits of God).
We see these seven spirits back in Revelation 1:4. And if we follow it through in Chapter 4, along with Revelation 5:6, it tells us that these seven spirits of God are the seven eyes of God going throughout the world.
It is the seven fold complete ministry of the Holy Spirit held by both the Jews, and of course the scripture itself teaches that.
In Zechariah Chapters 4 and 10, it also tells us that the seven lamps are the seven eyes of the Lord, the all-seeing one.
So before the throne, the seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God (The 7 eyes of God).
In Revelation 5:6, we have a Lamb that had been standing there as it had been slain, having seven horns and (seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God), sent forth into all the earth.
Daniel Chapter 7 tells us that the horns represent power and authority. And of course the eyes, again, Zechariah tells us that the Messiah has seven eyes. I don't believe it is talking about the literal eyeball.
The word seven in scripture means complete. It means that He (God) is in complete authority, and He sees everything fully and completely.
Hope this helps!
I concur with Brother Jesse well placed reply.
There's no improving on that.
God bless.