Its interesting to note that only two books in the NT, Acts & James have no farewell salutation at the ending, confirming the important continuation of the revelation of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor 4:6Titus 2:11John 1:9Rom 8:14Acts 2:17 diffusing the fragrances of His knowledge in every heart, & that by His Spirit 1 Cor 2:12-14, for they are freely given to us & only spiritually discerned.
the rapture that everyone is talking about in today Christendom is a myth, divise from a theological cemetry in Dallas Tx if I understand right & yes I meant cemetery, cemetery & seminary are spiritual synonyms
Jesus prayed, John 17:15John 17:20
Titus 2:11-14 appearing of the Great God & Savior is the Grace of God that appears to all mankind, His spiritual appearance in everyones heart, making it possible for all the other Scriptures you quoted possible.
The tribulations are our spiritual inward trials & suffering as Christ breaks thru the darkness that we're captivated too,& redeems, delivers & translate us into the kingdom of His dear Son, through the washing of regeneration & renewing of the Holy Spirit unto the new creature, culminating the work of sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience & sprinkling of of the Blood/Life of Jesus within us. When were truely born again, experientially Matt 3:11,12 He gathers us unto the Garder, seeing Him spirituallly come in the clouds in great glory. We're still here on earth, but we're spiritual conscious of heaven 2Cor 2:17
The writers of the NT were speaking in the present tense, they said "we" it would be a cruel hoax to tell them to look for Him when it would be over 2000yrs later. Jesus said Luke 17:20-23Luke 9:27 to those who were with Him then.
Luke 11:2Luke 12:32 here & now, this is the exceedingly great glory of the Christ sacrifice John 17:21-24
I'll share a personal testimony of my experiences with God, how He open my understanding of these things that I'm writing of 1st He showed me, in the beginning with Adam & Eve, all their knowledge, & understanding that they had was what He, God Himself had given them in their fellowshipping together, they had no other thoughts, passions, desires, endeavors etc, but what was from Him. Until the devil show up & introduce another train of thought, twisting & perverting God's own words in doing so. In man obedience to him, another seed was implant in mankind heart & corrupted him.
Then Word of the Lord came to me & ask me to trust this still small Voice within conscience, I responded I couldn't do that, I didn't trust it, it always lead me to deny myself, asking me to do things contrary to my own will, which at the time I was unaware that it was the Grace of God appearance within me, the Cross. Titus 2:11-14 2Cor 4:10,11
Reading the Quaker's writing, specifically from 1646-1700 they all pointed to the John 1:9 & Titus 2:11 that appears to all mankind, it was in man, but not of man, but of God. The still small Voice that admonishes when, I thought of or did something evil & reprove me for it, at the same time if I gave thought to Him, He would show me what was right & good to do in my everyday ordinary experiences in life conversations, relationships, past time activities, what to deny or cling to in thoughts, words or deeds. As I consider what they spoke of, it align up with the Scriptures, sound reasoning & human experience, we all have these spirits operations working within us.
"Why do we say that sanctification makes us blameless, not faultless? Because the Grace of God working in us does not make us infallible. Sin has so perverted our moral and spiritual powers that we shall never in this present life be free from the infirmities of human nature."
This is a subtle lie, cleverly disguise within a lot of truth, whether intentional or not, I hope it was the later.
blameless def; is an adjective that means "innocent of wrongdoing" or "free from blame or fault"
faultless def; is an adjective that means having no fault, mistake, defect, imperfection, blemish, flaw, error, vice, or offense. It describes something that is perfect in all respect
Titus 2:11-14 all iniquity
Jude 1:24 faultless without blame, without blemish, faultless.
From a (as a negative particle) and momos; unblemished (literally or figuratively) -- without blame (blemish, fault, spot), faultless, unblamable.
Ephesians 5:27
The Grace of God is the Almighty, who we have in these earthen vessels; Isa 14:27 only to the unbelievers are these things impossible Matt 13:58Hebrews 3:19
One of the Quakers beliefs, Rom 8:14 a continuous revelation of God's will; correct!
This is the 2nd time you admonish me to pay attention, ok; lets look at the Scripture you refer too!
Gal 1:15-17 "call me by His Grace, to reveal His Son in me" Which is John 1:9Titus 2:11 God spiritual appearance within him, both Scriptures says to "ALL MANKIND" so everyone has this experience, which is fulfilling 2Cor 4:6
What was Paul doing in Arabia? Living & working just like we do, its in our everyday ordinary experiences in life that God works out His great salvation, the sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience & sprinkling of the Blood/Life of Jesus within us, which is the washing of regeneration & renewing in the Holy Spirit, as we seek to be led by the Spirit of God everyday to know His holy will. Matt 6:11 the revelation of Jesus Christ, diffusing the fragrance of His knowledge in "EVERY HEART".
Friend, your missing out on your personal revelation of Jesus Christ unto you! That you may experience 1John 1: 1-4
2Thess 3:9 for them to follow their examples requires them to be enlighten & empowered by the same Power that they themselves walk in, though everyone doesn't walk in the same measure of the Power, according to their calling within His body. 1Cor12:18
This answers your opinion, what are the ministries for?
I, by no means are saying that God has not a purpose for these gifts that He has given, but they must be subjugated in their proper places. 1Cor12:25 is this case in the government structure of today's Christianity? No, by no means!
Christ is the Head, who speaks directly to the whole body. John 1:9Titus 2:111John 2:27Isa 54:13John 16:13Hebrews 8:10,11 which happens in our everyday ordinary life experiences in relationships, works etc; that God maybe Col 1:18
You says, Paul was an exception to the rule? Would you please prove this by the Scriptures.
You says, Jesus comes into my heart, should be taken figuratively? 1Cor 3:16,172Cor 13:5Col 1:27Ephesians 2:22 Where else could He desire to be but within our heart, the seat & center of our very being. Proverbs 4:231Samuel 16:17
You say this sounds strange?
Consider also John 17:21-24 the oneness & unity that God desires to have with His people, this is what God has set His heart on Jeremiah 32:40,41 & made available thru the NC; this is a God, that has said, with all His heart & soul ! Come on; have a little faith.
We're heirs of God & joint heirs of Christ, it is God Himself that is our inheritance Psalms 119:57Psalms 73:26
You says, not by one staying home & God teaching him. This is exactly what God has done through the spiritual writing of the Quakers, specifically from 1646-1700 through the gifts Christ gave His church; in their writing I discover the intent of God's heart to cleanse one from all sin, & being united with God through Christ, which the Scriptures so manifestly declares & how God accomplishes it. Isa 64:41Cor 2:9Psalms 130:5 I'm talking about that Word that is Rom 10:8 that comes by 10:17 Meaning Christ spiritual appearance within conscience/heart John 1:9Titus 2:11 Obeying His Father commands 2Cor 4:6 which is the Treasure we have in these earthen vessels. 2Cor 4:7 to know the things that are freely given to us 1Cor 2:12
53 explains Christ patience's, trials, tribulations & suffering of His life in the great work of man redemption. In His humiliations, being despises, rejected, His not be esteem for who He really was John 1:11 & the world by Whom they were created. The sorrows & griefs He bare on our behalf, His Spirit being wounded for our transgression, & bruised for our iniquities, having the chastisement of our peace laid upon Him.
God, Ephesians 2:4 has left nothing undone in accomplishing this for us, a complete deliverance from sin; spirit, soul & body of the sons & daughters of men from Satan kingdom. Throughout His life & His passion ( the final day of His life) is describe fully here & we see it displayed throughout His life in His humanity, Hebrews 2:17,18
Isa 53:10 shows the delight of the Father's heart, as Christ fulfills every requirement of the Law, satisfying the Court in heaven Daniel 7:9-10Daniel 7:13,14 being given a Kingdom, with Matt 28:18 literally untying the Father's hands so He could reach out to His beloved creatures in the Grace that He has now provided for us through His Son, 2 Cor 5:18-21
Isa 53:11,12 Grace appearance provides the knowledge that shall justify many, Rom 3:24Titus 2:11,12 Luke 4:22
Isa 53, Now as then, Christ walks the same path as He did then, but in Spirit, He is despised, rejected of men, we esteem Him not, He's experiences the sorrow & grief in mankind unbelief of Him by His appearances in Spirit within our hearts. He has no form of comeliness that we such desire Him, meaning; the Word spoke in our hearts is Christ in Spirit, that Word is God, John 1:1; His first works within us John 16:8Titus 2:11,12 When we reject His reproof of correction, through unbelief, His words has finds no place in our hearts, we hidden our faces from Him, & run to other things to drown out His Voice, the tender motions of Holy Spirit in His proffering of salvation.
It is indeed Christ within conscience, the mystery Col 1:26-28 Jesus said to the Jews, John 5:39 as then now, God is a Spirit, we must come to Him in & by His Spirit John 14:6 When Jesus said; Matt 11:25 He wasn't stating the Scriptures, Pastors, bible studies etc; but to Him personally. The Scriptures are profitable as we honor them in their right place, the words of God, but not God the Word, who was in the beginning with God, before the Scriptures were. The true glory & honor of the Scriptures is they give us a true testimony of Him, & that they point us to His 2nd coming in Spirit. Hebrews 9:28John 16:13 OT promise Isa 54:13 it is only by receiving Him in His Spirit appearance within our hearts/conscience that we receive Him, that He may work out His great salvation for us. There is no other way! John 14:6 For in the working of the operations of faith, Rom 10:17 which is in Rom 10:8 we come into relationship & fellowship with Him who suffered so on our behalf. We experience 1John 1:1-3 in the work of redemption. Trust & love is increased as we grow in Grace.
4. 1 John 1:7-10; We all come into the world as miserable sinners Rom 3:23; but with the coming of Christ/Grace we don't have to stay that way, Rom 3:24; through the obedience of faith in the Light of His Countenance that shine in our heart, 7-10 explains the operations of Grace appearance, John 16:8 bringing these to seeds into judgment within conscience, if we then say we have not sin, we deceive ourselves ,make Him a liar & the Truth/Word is not engraft within us. But if received, He cleanses us from all unrighteousness, iniquity, transgression & sin, Titus 2:14; By receiving His convictions, is the Power received, & everyone that 1John 3:3; is experience. So there a time when He finds us in sin, & a time that He cleanse from all sin.
5. Jude 1:21-24; ; Keeping yourselves in the love of God/ is by keeping His commandments, 1John 2:3-6; John 14:24; the Light of His Countenance that shine in our hearts
& in doing so He will keep you from falling, present you faultless! This is obviously from sinning against Him.
Quoting you (we can never fulfill the law perfectly,) this is against Scriptures, Rom 8:4; it doesn't state a little or mostly, but fulfill in Christ Jesus! He's the Head, we're His body.
I've notice you've left the word 'abrogated', out of this conversation, no doubt; after this enlightenment, yet your being shifty to your assertions, as you indirectly assert it again by Hebrews 8:13; deceitfully clever, whether you were mindful of it or not, the Lord know the intent of our hearts. The Law; is only vanish away if we are walking in the Spirit, Gal 5:16; If we sin, than the Law revives & the penalty of death ensues. Sin is not to be continue in, to be repeated over & over again for life, the holy writ says, Rom 6:11; through the exercising of the Word of His Grace/Righteousness, it, the sin nature in purge out as we remain confident, faithful & steadfast unto the end. Hebrews 10:36-39;
This liberty that you speak of in the NC, from the context of our previous conversation; your stated, to fully know & obey God's will, by the working of Holy Spirit in them, your stating this can be accomplish, now your being evasive in this statement also, Titus 2:7; Friend, your speaking out of both sides of your mouth here, James 1:8; James 3:11,12; this doesn't become godliness, truth in the inward parts & righteousness in either testament.
We now are IDENTIFIED with Jesus death and resurrection.
Romans 6:3-11;
Yes, if we're truly indeed are "dead unto sin"
but if we continue in sin for life, as you have responsed to me, & believe that one cannot overcome sin in this life, than we're not IDENTIFIED with Christ death or resurrection. Consider what you're reading in Romans 6; It's speaking about Grace appearance within our hearts Titus 2:11,12; destroying all the works of the devil, Rom 6:14; by 2 Thessalonians 2:8; the man of sin, alais the son of perditon that rules the Adamic nature, the spirit of darkness who animates the son of disobedience. Daniel 2:22; for this purpose is the Son of God is manifested to destroy him, but what is that for those who continue in sin for life, but there condemnation.
Jesus name declares His works, Matt 1:21 not in their sins.
Christ has already come & that in Spirit, He told His disciples; Mark 9:1; Matt 16:28; over 2000 yrs ago, which came in full power at Pentecost.
I will not leave you comfortless, but you will see me again, that your joy maybe full, & Christ doesn't come alone, He brings His Father within Him, They became Ephesians 2:22; John 17:21-23; & they Micah 4:3;
Hebrews 9:28; is Titus 2:11; diffusing the fragrance of His knowledge in every heart. 2Cor 4:6 This is Titus 2:13; describing His 2nd appearance in Spirit. Who continually gives of Himself that Titus 2:14;
As for this son of perdition; it's the old Adamic nature that is rule by Ephesians 6:12; who's coming 2Thessalonians 2:9; this spirit works even deceive the very elect, who, we all must engage with within 2 Cor 10:3-5; Jesus says; Matt 15:18,19; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, so their within us. Think about this, we all have these thoughts spring up within us, 1 Pet 4:3; thus Jesus commands; Luke 14:27; The ones, Satan does deceive is explain, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; they refuse to believe the Witness, whom God has place within conscience. John 16:8; John 12:47-50; Jesus says, 8:24; Therefore were He has gone one cannot go.
Both seeds are spiritual, both kingdoms are within mankind.
This rapture theory John 17:11:15 "not to take them out of the world". But describes receiving 1Pet 1:5-9;The cumulation is the Baptism of the Holy Spirt, describing 2 Cor 10:6; resulting from Titus 3:5; by 1Pet 1:23; unto John 3:3; the chaff, ( old man sin nature is thoroughly purges out without a trace, Daniel 2:34,35; these earthen vessels, 1Cor 15:48,49; ) the wheat (new man created in the image of Him that created him) is gather unto the Gardener, we're His & He's ours, Acts 1:9-11; Daniel 7:13;
It's a spiritual encounter & habitation with the One true God, John 17:24; here & now, Acts 4:32,33;
Do you perceive the wonderous honor & glory of God's Great Salvation, on earth as it is in heaven.
Isa 38:3; 1 Kings 11:4; 1 Kings 8:61; "present tense", Luke 1:5,6; they were perfect under the gospel of their dispensation. What God requires of us, is to walk uprightly according to the Truth that we know.
NT
a perfect sacrifice requires a perfect offering Matt 5:48; Rom 12:1; Perfection is required. He's the head, we're His body, is Christ sinful?
Gigi, describe perfectly the heart intent of a believer journey in the work of regeneration, except, not being able to overcome all sin. 1John 3:8; the perfect work of Grace purges out all iniquity, Titus 2:14; the littlest of leaven, leaveth the whole lump.
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the son's of God, & the Spirit of God will never, never lead one into sin. Therefore we know by who spirit we are of; 1John 3:9,10; Matt 17:17-23
2 To make an end of sins (Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law). The verb in the Hebrew text translated as "put an end to" can mean "to seal up". The covering of our sins was accomplished on the cross at Calvary. When he said IT IS FINISHED, he provided us with the garments (wedding garments) to cover our sins. Psalm 32:1-2Matthew 1:21John 1:29Romans 8:31 Corinthians 15:3Hebrews 10:8-111 John 3:5Revelation 16:15.
Is there still sin today? Yes. Will there still be sin and death after Jesus's second coming? Yes. Even during the 1000 years, there will be sin and death until all is made new Rev. 21:1-4 but through Jesus, they are covered and sealed, Rev. 16:15
3 To make reconciliation for iniquity (Reconciliation is an element of salvation that refers to the results of the atonement, iniquity is guilt, crookedness, perverseness, that which is not straight or upright, moral distortion, in the dark. Colossians 1:20-22Isaiah 53:6Isaiah 53:11Ephesians 2:16Titus 2:142 Corinthians 5:18-19.
The word reconcile means to bring back to a former state of harmony Jesus reconciled both Jew and Gentile unto God in one body by the cross and now through Jesus we both Jew and Gentile have access by one Spirit unto the Father no more strangers or foreigners but fellow citizens. Making reconciliation for iniquity concerns our involvement in the work of salvation.
4 To bring in everlasting righteousness. Everlasting, no end, righteousness, justice, mercy, loving-kindness, in conformity to the demands of the covenant and according to God's will, fair and balanced. Isaiah 61:10-112 Corinthians 5:21Romans 3:21-26Romans 5:17-211 Peter 2:24.
1Jn 1:8-10 explains the operations of John 16:8; & the exercises of Hebrews 5:13;14; when He convicts of sin or of righteousness, He bring these two seeds of thought within into judgment. The still small Voice of conscience that reproves us of sinful thoughts, words or actions, this is Grace Titus 2:11 / Light John 1:9 Christ spiritual appearance within our hearts, Ephesians 5:13; to 1 John 3:8; if rejected, His word has no place within us, & we call Him a liar & why? John 3:19,20; Rom 1:18,19; rejecting Him, we suppress the Truth in unrighteousness. Therefore we don't John 1:12; but if we receive His convictions, we received the power that comes with the conviction to become the sons of God, for the 1Cor 12:7; More insight of the Spirit operations within conscience, Rom 2:15;
So there's a time when Holy Spirit comes to us as sinners, for Rom 3:23 & a time ( if we received His words ) repentance is granted & we're cleanse from all sin. 1 John 1:9; Titus 2:14; 2Cor 7:1; by the 1 Pet 1:23; = Light, becoming Matt 5:48; 1 Pet 1:15,16; for they that are 1Cor 6:17 & in Him 1 John 3:5; All by the working of Grace / Light / Spirit appearance within conscience.
The great work of regeneration & renewing, picking up the Cross, the Power of God unto salvation, the dying daily, Gal 2:20; Paul knew John 8:32;. You quoted Philippians 3:12 read further :15 the word for mature is also translated "perfect" in the NKJV. (& by the way, I DON'T advocate anyone to the studying of the letter by natural arts of Hebrew/Greek etc; the different language begin at Babel, meaning confusion, & that's just what has happen, there' over 45,000 different sect's of Christianity worldwide, each proclaiming "here is Christ," When Christianity was first birth & brought forth by His Spirit, Act 4:32; Ephesians 4:5; is that the case today? Its more like Judges 21:25; God's words are Spirit & is only understood & possess by the Spirit which gave them forth. 2Cor 2:11,12; Gal 3:2 the Spirit is received by faith, which comes by hearing the Word of God in our heart, not the letter, for the letter kills, the Spirit alone gives us the very life of God, to be manifested in our mortal bodies, to the destroying ALL, ALL, ALL the works of the devil & conform us to Christ, Rom 8:39; Luke 6:40; The letter cannot do this, Scripture plainly points & instructs us in this, "he that hath ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit has to say.) Sanctification "making holy" is on this side of the grave, the work of Titus 2:11,12 & its includes the whole man, spirit, soul & body. Titus 2:14 cleansing us from ALL iniquity, that we may Col 1:22. The faith y'all are promoting is 2 Timothy 3:5; Gal 5:8,9
The angel proclaimed Matt 1:21; His Name declares His works "He shall saved them from their sins, not in their sins"
There's much more that could be brought forth here; Rom 6 -8
The Spirit prayer in Ephesians 1:17-21 "not only in this world, but that which is to come" Thy Kingdom come, here on earth as it is in heaven.
hope all will seriously consider & weigh these words. 2 Cor 3:5,6
..... Eph 6:12; 2 Cor 10:3,4,5; Matt 15:18; Matt 12:34 both seeds or kingdoms are within.
Paul gives us an insight of his growth in grace in 1Cor 9:27; he considers himself capable to falling, he kept his body under, then in Rom 8:35-39; he had reach a level of the stature an fullness of Christ that nothing could separate Him from the love of Christ Jesus his Lord. Sin separates, as Eden experience tell us & our own experiences bares witness to us.
Chris; you've accurately describe in your own experience His Grace/Light spiritual appearance within your heart, following Him in this manner will Titus 2: 14; Eze 36:25; the washing of the water of the Word; the incorruptible Seed; becoming holy, blameless unreproachable in His sight, that we may experience 2 Cor 6:16; Gal 2:20; Luke 6:40; Jn 17: 21-24
The veil of the flesh is taken away by Christ, that the intimacy, oneness with Him in Spirit may be known & felt in our hearts here on earth.
Faith comes by hearing & hearing by the Word of God, not the written words of God, but the living Word of God, the Spirit of Christ. This living Word will alway agree with the written words of God, & sound reason, our conscience bearing witness in Truth & Righteousness. Each one of us has a small measure of His Spirit within us, compared to a mustard seed for smallness..yet if believe in & nurtured grows until we come to the fullest of the knowledge of the stature of Christ. All by His divine power, namely "Light" giving us all things that pertain to life & godliness through the knowledge of Him who has call us to glory & virtue. Scriptures states ,the Word is near us, in our heart & mouth, this is were He is to be known & felt in our hearts, this is the word of Faith that Paul preached. Hearing & obeying His words which He speaks within, engrafts Him within us, comforming us to Himself, for His words are His Spirit & His Life, thus; we're putting on Christ, the whole armor of God, we walk even as He walk, & are sent even as He was sent. Not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit. The Scriptures testify over & over again, "he that has ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit has to say, not the letter, the letter kills, its the Spirit alone that gives life. He was made a life giving Spirit. So faith come by hearing His still small Voice within us, that Voice speaks within conscience according to Romans 2:15, which explains the operations of Grace spiritual appearance within; Titus 2:11-13 Which is the revelation of Jesus Christ unto us, according to 2Cor 4:6-7, The nature of true faith purifies the heart. Faith is believing that it is He, who is revealing Himself to us by His Spirit of Grace in the face of Jesus Christ, who is God, who was before the Scriptures & was in the beginning with God.
I hope this enlighten & stimultates your heart search for Truth.
My LORD JESUS CHRIST is worthy of all the praise I can give HIM. I can only truly worship HIM when I know my KING personally through HIS word and the help of the HOLY SPIRIT in me.
GOD to shine HIS face on all who love and trust HIM; and bless us all gloriously. 2 Chronicles 7:14, 15; Galatians 5:16; Matthew 28:18-20;
2 Peter 3:9; Titus 2: 11-14;
Ephesians 2: 8-10
Thank YOU FATHER for preserving YOUR word for our daily use. May we enter into the harvest and seek to fulfill YOUR will in us.
A woman is said not to have authority over a man ( 1 Timothy 2:12) and that verse also mentions that women shouldn't teach as well. Women are to teach their children however; mentioned just a few verses earlier in 1 Timothy 1:5. There are other verses in Titus and other scriptures where the wisdom of God are to be instructed as well.
It gets fuzzy when we get into such things as a small group. What is considered an informal conversation often morphs with "teaching" in some respect. Certainly there is benefit to women teaching other women ( Titus 2:4-6) which involves bringing up responsible young women and men as well in their domestic duties. Certainly we are all part of God's family so it could extend to other families as well.
The theoretical conundrum is when a woman wishes to Pastor if there is "no man available" for such a role. If it is truly the case and no men are in a congregation; I don't see anything wrong with a woman taking up that role as it were; but as soon as a believing male is present there should be some oversight and transferrance of authority ASAP in that regard.
Also; I have read female authors (one in particular on Bible Prophecy) who is in my opinion uneqalled in the scriptural detail about the end times. She goes to church with her husband and doesn't attempt to have lectures and such on tour; just a website. Such conferences that women have are often sold as a sort of motivational talk but often are more like women taking over preaching as s Pastor role. Most of the time there appears to be egregious error in such cases; as to when wives and husbands have a "co-ministry".
The authority of a Pastor also is an elder role; which carries with it a supervisory role protecting the flock; exercising authority for church discipline and other matters. That does NOT mean that women shouldn't report an erring sister or brother although when do you hear about that? Matthew 18:15-20 should proceed from there with men.
We are not left to our own devices, nor to be buffeted about ( Ephesians 4:14b) "with every wind of doctrine" but we are lead every step of the way. However, to be truly successful and unmovable, we must be deeply intimate with our LORD GOD JESUS CHRIST through Scripture. Then take this knowledge and apply it in a Christ-like, Christ honoring, manner in our daily conversation and contact with whomsoever the LORD brings to us. 1 Peter 3:15
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"
There are too many people in today's society confused of their reason for being here, who they identify as, and where to go for help. May our testimony in the LORD JESUS CHRIST make a difference as we pray, 2 Timothy 2:1-3; and go forth to make disciples, Matthew 28: 18-20; but most important- our own personal growth in the LORD, 2 Peter 1, Titus 2:11-15. (many, many more)
GOD to shine HIS face on all on this forum and bless you gloriously to praise and serve HIM from this day forward.
John 8:36 assures us that with the Son we are "free indeed". Freedom; in short is opposite of what the world follows as we are slaves or bondservants of Christ ( 1 Cor. 4; 7). To follow the prince of this world and all its temporary pleasures is, in reality; a dead end whereas His riches in glory for those who love Him are eternal for those saints which are already seated with Him in "heavenly places." ( Eph. 2:6).
When seeking His will and petitioning prayers; it is His Covenant promises which we can tenaciously proclaim as it is His binding contract with His people that He has made with His good pleasure. This is certainly different than just seeking those things that seem most convenient to make us more comfortable in this life. It truly is best when His life is the guide to our lives and He can be the "captain" of our salvation ( Hebrews 2:10). It is this or being shipwrecked; as it were which is a warning for those who fall away ( 1 Timothy 1:9 as a general admonition along with specific individuals in other Pauline writings).
It is helpful, therefore to have brothers more mature in the faith as "iron sharpens iron." ( Proverbs 27:17). We should also have our individual walk grow to maturity with our quiet times; prayer life and devotionals. John 6:45 shows that we shall all be taught of God; so we should learn to discern His voice from the cacaphony that rings in our ears.
As adopted sons of God ( Gal. 4:5) we are granted therefore all the blessings and substance of the inheritance. The eternal riches in Glory certainly outweigh any earthly pleasures ( 2 Cor. 4:17). We should strive therefore to remain steadfast and remain in His will. The flesh is dying daily in terms of the outward man (see previous verse 16) but the inward man is being conformed to His image. (see Romans 12:2). To deny ungodliness is true freedom ( Titus 2:12) despite our natural affections that seem to indicate the contrary.
Thank you Jimbob for taking the time to pore through my submission, though I'm sorry that you weren't able to see what I see in the Scriptures. From the many other views we get on this subject, we see that we all can have our different Scriptures that show us how we should perceive these last days.
Even the Revelation 14:14-16 passage you quoted, referring to the harvest being the Church; if this is the Rapture, why then did the Church have to experience the previous judgements of God (in Revelation 6:1-17: Seal Judgements; Revelation 8:1-9:21: Trumpet Judgements). These can't be the ordinary, everyday turmoils that Earth's inhabitants face, but specific Judgements from God and then the sickle is struck for the harvesting (& of course, some are cast into the winepress of God's Wrath).
So brother, I don't want to continually rehash the earlier passages we've written about, as clearly we read these prophetical messages differently. My understanding is that the Great Tribulation of seven years (the last week seen in Daniel's prophecy), which includes God's Wrath in its various phases & intensities, will come after the Church is removed; even as promised to the Philadelphian Church in Revelation 3:10.
The anti-Christ (at least at the beginning of his reign of terror to his opponents), & the beginning of God's Judgements ( Revelation 6,8,9), assure our hearts that the Rapture of the Church can happen suddenly, without any signs to prepare for that day. The call is for our expectant joyous living & readiness now, as even the early Church was to urged to expect ( Philippians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; Titus 2:13; James 5:8; Revelation 1:3) - not for our awakening when things begin to get very difficult in the course of the final seven years. The call was always for believers' readiness - we couldn't be in such a state if we know that much more needs to happen before the Lord's Coming/Rapture of the Church - death might overtake most of us before then.
2. A second crucial rule of biblical hermeneutics is that passages must be interpreted historically, grammatically, and contextually. Interpreting a passage historically means we must first seek to understand the culture, background, and situation that prompted the writing. For example, in order to understand Jonah's flight, in Jonah 1:1-3, we should learn of the history of the Assyrians as it related to Israel.
Interpreting a passage grammatically requires one to follow the rules of grammar and recognize the nuances of Hebrew and Greek. For example, when Paul writes of "the great God and Saviour Jesus Christ" in Titus 2:13, the rules of grammar state that God and Savior are parallel terms and they are both in apposition to Jesus Christ; in other words, Paul clearly calls Jesus "our great God" & not identifying the two Persons separately in the Deity. Interpreting a passage contextually involves considering the context of a verse or passage when trying to determine the meaning. The context includes the verses immediately preceding and following it, the chapter, the book, and indeed the entire Bible. For example, many puzzling statements in Ecclesiastes become clearer when kept in context; the book of Ecclesiastes is written from the earthly perspective 'under the sun' ( Ecclesiastes 1:3). In fact, the phrase 'under the sun' is repeated many times in this book, establishing the context for all that is "vanity" in this world.
3. A third rule of biblical hermeneutics is that Scripture is always the best interpreter of Scripture (& this you believe & stated clearly). For this reason, we always compare Scripture with Scripture when trying to determine the meaning of a passage. For example, Isaiah's condemnation of Judah's desire to seek Egypt's help and their reliance on a strong cavalry ( Isaiah 31:1) was motivated, in part, by God's explicit command that His people not go to Egypt to seek horses ( Deuteronomy 17:16).
d. the revelation of the anti-Christ is restrained ( 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). Paul's reason for writing this was because the Church was greatly troubled that the Day of the Lord (Christ) had begun. Paul said that that day wouldn't commence until Jesus came for them & raptured them ("our gathering together unto him": v1). The 'restrainer' is the Holy Spirit in God's people, then when He is removed, God's people are removed, for the Holy Spirit was sent to indwell us & work in & through us & for the Gospel's propagation ( John 16:7,8,13).
e. a comparison between an imminent Rapture & Rapture at the Second Coming:
1. Translation of all believers ( 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18) --- No translation at all ( Revelation 19:6-21).
2. Raptured saints return to Heaven ( 1 Thessalonians 4:17; John 14:1-3) --- Raptured saints return to Earth ( 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Revelation 19:14).
3. Any moment, in readiness, without signs ( 1 Corinthians 1:7; Philippians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; Titus 2:13; James 5:7-9; Revelation 3:11, 22:7,12,20) --- many signs given of the Great Tribulation which leads into Jesus' coming (so a readiness cannot be expected, as the seven year's count down begins with the anti-Christ).
A Pre-Tribulation Rapture position keeps the Church ready & watching for her Lord's Coming. Any other position can give her the tendency to apathy & carelessness. The Church is told to be watchful, in spite of ridicule, "where is the promise of his coming" ( 2 Peter 3:4). But Christ's coming is held back until the full number are saved (v9) - and then Jesus will come to take His Church Home.
I'm sorry for being long winded, but I think the rest of what I wanted to say is important, and I hope you find something of value in this.
Jesus makes a statement in Matthew 26:41. We know it as the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. But Matthew 26:41 literally reads the spirit is prepared. The flesh is weak.
You see, what He's showing them is that they need to be watching for Satan, lest they fall into temptation. They can't do it in the flesh. The flesh is weak.
They didn't have the Holy Spirit yet. The Lord was giving them an illustration of being spiritually awake, alert to Satan, which they could not do without the Holy Spirit.
So it was a lesson on watchfulness, spiritually. It is a lesson on sobriety, except He's not talking about alcohol.
In Paul's letters, and I'm summing it up for you, but in Paul's letters he would talk about this condition to warn believers about being sober minded.
In other words, your mind can be so drunk with the things of the world, that your mind is just so occupied with all these things. It's the same as being drunk, only it's mental. You'll sit there in the chair and stare at the wall because you have so much to think about.
Be sober minded. Don't get drunk on the things of the world occupying your mind. Be watchful. Be alert.
So he says in Verse 8, but we who are of the day, we should be sober.
Again, many places in scripture where we see the word sober, it has nothing to do with alcohol, but sober as in being sober minded.
There are several places in the Bible where we see the word sober that refer to being sober minded, not sober as in refraining from alcohol. Would you be able to share some of the verses you are referring to?
As far as being sober minded, I'll take 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 as an example. In Verse 6, it says therefore, and I'll give you some technical things here about the translation.
Instead of let us not sleep, it's literally we should not sleep. It's not a command. It says we should not sleep, as do the others; but let us watch and be sober.
Verse 7 says "For they that sleep, they sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night."
And again, a literal translation in Verse 8:
But we should, (that is, we who are of the day), we should be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love;
Now just for the sake of information, and please hang with me for a moment here because there are some very important words.
In Verse 6, the word watch means to be awake. It's the opposite of sleep. The word sober has to do with sober mindedness.
Now here's the connection:
In Matthew Chapter 26 Verse 36, Jesus, before He died, He took Peter and a couple of the other disciples, and He wanted to pray in the garden.
His heart was heavy, and He wanted to take them with Him so that He could pray. And He left them at a certain spot and He went a little distance and began to pray.
He came back and they were sleeping. He says cannot you watch with me for one hour? He went back to prayer again. When He came back, they were sleeping again. He told them that it's important to be awake lest you fall into temptation.
What He's doing is He's taking a physical circumstance and making a spiritual illustration, because He goes back to praying again, comes back and finds them sleeping again and tells them "Okay, let's go."
I'm out of space but would like to share a little more if you haven't fallen asleep on me yet!
Six things determined upon Daniel's people and the holy city.
Part 4
To make reconciliation for iniquity
Reconciliation is an element of salvation that refers to the results of the atonement, to coat or cover, Isaiah 61:10Rev. 3:4Rev. 16:15, iniquity is guilt, crookedness, twistedness, perverseness, that which is not straight or upright, and moral distortion in the dark.
The word reconcile means to bring back to a former state of harmony, Jesus reconciled both Jew and Gentile unto God in one body by the cross and now through Jesus we both Jew and Gentile have access by one Spirit unto the Father, no more strangers or foreigners but fellow citizens. Making reconciliation for iniquity concerns our involvement in the work of salvation. God has reconciled himself to us and empowered us by his Spirit to reconcile ourselves to God and one another.
To bring in everlasting righteousness.
Everlasting, no end, long duration, antiquity, futurity, forever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, continuous existence. Righteousness, God's attribute, justice, mercy, loving-kindness, in conformity to the demands of the covenant, and according to God's will, fair and balanced.
Everlasting righteousness was what our Lord manifested in His sinless life. Jesus by His blood entered in once into the holy place not made by hands having obtained eternal redemption, everlasting, and in Jesus we have everlasting righteousness and salvation, through faith, given by grace from God, by the blood of the Lamb freely offered for us. We have no righteousness apart from Jesus Christ.
I see the word sober over and over in the Bible... I looked up the definition in Websites dictionary and it said to not drink alcohol. What about the other mind altering substances that we have out there? Do they not make you drunk as well? Or does the word sober in the bible only pertain to alcohol?
Thanks again Jimbob. If I might take our discussion to anothe level. One great fact of the Church's Rapture, is not only its imminency but its suddenness. In the NT, the command was for readiness ( Matthew 25:13 (10 virgins); Luke 12:40; Philippians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; Titus 2:13), for Christ's coming. The early Church was expecting it & proclaiming it, but the scoffers, then & now have proved themselves right ( 2 Peter 3:3,4) - Jesus hadn't come, nor has history ever recorded such a 'parousia' ever taking place. But the Church still continues to wait, knowing that God's Word is True & that God's Time is never man's concept of time ( 2 Peter 3:8). Therefore the question: why should we await for the any-moment return of Jesus, if that return could be quite easily plotted by the 'falling away', the appearance of the anti-Christ, even the beginning of the Great Tribulation (of God's Wrath which you believe only includes those catastrophic events of Matthew 24:29; Revelation chapter 16)?
Its interesting to note that only two books in the NT, Acts & James have no farewell salutation at the ending, confirming the important continuation of the revelation of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor 4:6 Titus 2:11 John 1:9 Rom 8:14 Acts 2:17 diffusing the fragrances of His knowledge in every heart, & that by His Spirit 1 Cor 2:12-14, for they are freely given to us & only spiritually discerned.
ps: glad to hear your husband was not hurt
In love & truth
the rapture that everyone is talking about in today Christendom is a myth, divise from a theological cemetry in Dallas Tx if I understand right & yes I meant cemetery, cemetery & seminary are spiritual synonyms
Jesus prayed, John 17:15 John 17:20
Titus 2:11-14 appearing of the Great God & Savior is the Grace of God that appears to all mankind, His spiritual appearance in everyones heart, making it possible for all the other Scriptures you quoted possible.
The tribulations are our spiritual inward trials & suffering as Christ breaks thru the darkness that we're captivated too,& redeems, delivers & translate us into the kingdom of His dear Son, through the washing of regeneration & renewing of the Holy Spirit unto the new creature, culminating the work of sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience & sprinkling of of the Blood/Life of Jesus within us. When were truely born again, experientially Matt 3:11,12 He gathers us unto the Garder, seeing Him spirituallly come in the clouds in great glory. We're still here on earth, but we're spiritual conscious of heaven 2Cor 2:17
The writers of the NT were speaking in the present tense, they said "we" it would be a cruel hoax to tell them to look for Him when it would be over 2000yrs later. Jesus said Luke 17:20-23 Luke 9:27 to those who were with Him then.
Luke 11:2 Luke 12:32 here & now, this is the exceedingly great glory of the Christ sacrifice John 17:21-24
In Love & Truth
Hi Jema
I'll share a personal testimony of my experiences with God, how He open my understanding of these things that I'm writing of 1st He showed me, in the beginning with Adam & Eve, all their knowledge, & understanding that they had was what He, God Himself had given them in their fellowshipping together, they had no other thoughts, passions, desires, endeavors etc, but what was from Him. Until the devil show up & introduce another train of thought, twisting & perverting God's own words in doing so. In man obedience to him, another seed was implant in mankind heart & corrupted him.
Then Word of the Lord came to me & ask me to trust this still small Voice within conscience, I responded I couldn't do that, I didn't trust it, it always lead me to deny myself, asking me to do things contrary to my own will, which at the time I was unaware that it was the Grace of God appearance within me, the Cross. Titus 2:11-14 2Cor 4:10,11
Reading the Quaker's writing, specifically from 1646-1700 they all pointed to the John 1:9 & Titus 2:11 that appears to all mankind, it was in man, but not of man, but of God. The still small Voice that admonishes when, I thought of or did something evil & reprove me for it, at the same time if I gave thought to Him, He would show me what was right & good to do in my everyday ordinary experiences in life conversations, relationships, past time activities, what to deny or cling to in thoughts, words or deeds. As I consider what they spoke of, it align up with the Scriptures, sound reasoning & human experience, we all have these spirits operations working within us.
"Why do we say that sanctification makes us blameless, not faultless? Because the Grace of God working in us does not make us infallible. Sin has so perverted our moral and spiritual powers that we shall never in this present life be free from the infirmities of human nature."
This is a subtle lie, cleverly disguise within a lot of truth, whether intentional or not, I hope it was the later.
blameless def; is an adjective that means "innocent of wrongdoing" or "free from blame or fault"
faultless def; is an adjective that means having no fault, mistake, defect, imperfection, blemish, flaw, error, vice, or offense. It describes something that is perfect in all respect
Titus 2:11-14 all iniquity
Jude 1:24 faultless without blame, without blemish, faultless.
From a (as a negative particle) and momos; unblemished (literally or figuratively) -- without blame (blemish, fault, spot), faultless, unblamable.
Ephesians 5:27
The Grace of God is the Almighty, who we have in these earthen vessels; Isa 14:27 only to the unbelievers are these things impossible Matt 13:58 Hebrews 3:19
One of the Quakers beliefs, Rom 8:14 a continuous revelation of God's will; correct!
This is the 2nd time you admonish me to pay attention, ok; lets look at the Scripture you refer too!
Gal 1:15-17 "call me by His Grace, to reveal His Son in me" Which is John 1:9 Titus 2:11 God spiritual appearance within him, both Scriptures says to "ALL MANKIND" so everyone has this experience, which is fulfilling 2Cor 4:6
What was Paul doing in Arabia? Living & working just like we do, its in our everyday ordinary experiences in life that God works out His great salvation, the sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience & sprinkling of the Blood/Life of Jesus within us, which is the washing of regeneration & renewing in the Holy Spirit, as we seek to be led by the Spirit of God everyday to know His holy will. Matt 6:11 the revelation of Jesus Christ, diffusing the fragrance of His knowledge in "EVERY HEART".
Friend, your missing out on your personal revelation of Jesus Christ unto you! That you may experience 1John 1: 1-4
2Thess 3:9 for them to follow their examples requires them to be enlighten & empowered by the same Power that they themselves walk in, though everyone doesn't walk in the same measure of the Power, according to their calling within His body. 1Cor12:18
This answers your opinion, what are the ministries for?
I, by no means are saying that God has not a purpose for these gifts that He has given, but they must be subjugated in their proper places. 1Cor12:25 is this case in the government structure of today's Christianity? No, by no means!
Christ is the Head, who speaks directly to the whole body. John 1:9 Titus 2:11 1John 2:27 Isa 54:13 John 16:13 Hebrews 8:10,11 which happens in our everyday ordinary life experiences in relationships, works etc; that God maybe Col 1:18
In Love & Truth
Friend,
You says, Paul was an exception to the rule? Would you please prove this by the Scriptures.
You says, Jesus comes into my heart, should be taken figuratively? 1Cor 3:16,17 2Cor 13:5 Col 1:27 Ephesians 2:22 Where else could He desire to be but within our heart, the seat & center of our very being. Proverbs 4:23 1Samuel 16:17
You say this sounds strange?
Consider also John 17:21-24 the oneness & unity that God desires to have with His people, this is what God has set His heart on Jeremiah 32:40,41 & made available thru the NC; this is a God, that has said, with all His heart & soul ! Come on; have a little faith.
We're heirs of God & joint heirs of Christ, it is God Himself that is our inheritance Psalms 119:57 Psalms 73:26
You says, not by one staying home & God teaching him. This is exactly what God has done through the spiritual writing of the Quakers, specifically from 1646-1700 through the gifts Christ gave His church; in their writing I discover the intent of God's heart to cleanse one from all sin, & being united with God through Christ, which the Scriptures so manifestly declares & how God accomplishes it. Isa 64:4 1Cor 2:9 Psalms 130:5 I'm talking about that Word that is Rom 10:8 that comes by 10:17 Meaning Christ spiritual appearance within conscience/heart John 1:9 Titus 2:11 Obeying His Father commands 2Cor 4:6 which is the Treasure we have in these earthen vessels. 2Cor 4:7 to know the things that are freely given to us 1Cor 2:12
Isa 53 The appearances of the Just One.
Isa 59:16,17 Isa 63:5 fulfilled John 1:14 John 3:17
53 explains Christ patience's, trials, tribulations & suffering of His life in the great work of man redemption. In His humiliations, being despises, rejected, His not be esteem for who He really was John 1:11 & the world by Whom they were created. The sorrows & griefs He bare on our behalf, His Spirit being wounded for our transgression, & bruised for our iniquities, having the chastisement of our peace laid upon Him.
God, Ephesians 2:4 has left nothing undone in accomplishing this for us, a complete deliverance from sin; spirit, soul & body of the sons & daughters of men from Satan kingdom. Throughout His life & His passion ( the final day of His life) is describe fully here & we see it displayed throughout His life in His humanity, Hebrews 2:17,18
Isa 53:10 shows the delight of the Father's heart, as Christ fulfills every requirement of the Law, satisfying the Court in heaven Daniel 7:9-10 Daniel 7:13,14 being given a Kingdom, with Matt 28:18 literally untying the Father's hands so He could reach out to His beloved creatures in the Grace that He has now provided for us through His Son, 2 Cor 5:18-21
Isa 53:11,12 Grace appearance provides the knowledge that shall justify many, Rom 3:24 Titus 2:11,12 Luke 4:22
Isa 53, Now as then, Christ walks the same path as He did then, but in Spirit, He is despised, rejected of men, we esteem Him not, He's experiences the sorrow & grief in mankind unbelief of Him by His appearances in Spirit within our hearts. He has no form of comeliness that we such desire Him, meaning; the Word spoke in our hearts is Christ in Spirit, that Word is God, John 1:1; His first works within us John 16:8 Titus 2:11,12 When we reject His reproof of correction, through unbelief, His words has finds no place in our hearts, we hidden our faces from Him, & run to other things to drown out His Voice, the tender motions of Holy Spirit in His proffering of salvation.
It is indeed Christ within conscience, the mystery Col 1:26-28 Jesus said to the Jews, John 5:39 as then now, God is a Spirit, we must come to Him in & by His Spirit John 14:6 When Jesus said; Matt 11:25 He wasn't stating the Scriptures, Pastors, bible studies etc; but to Him personally. The Scriptures are profitable as we honor them in their right place, the words of God, but not God the Word, who was in the beginning with God, before the Scriptures were. The true glory & honor of the Scriptures is they give us a true testimony of Him, & that they point us to His 2nd coming in Spirit. Hebrews 9:28 John 16:13 OT promise Isa 54:13 it is only by receiving Him in His Spirit appearance within our hearts/conscience that we receive Him, that He may work out His great salvation for us. There is no other way! John 14:6 For in the working of the operations of faith, Rom 10:17 which is in Rom 10:8 we come into relationship & fellowship with Him who suffered so on our behalf. We experience 1John 1:1-3 in the work of redemption. Trust & love is increased as we grow in Grace.
John 17:3
In love & truth
4. 1 John 1:7-10; We all come into the world as miserable sinners Rom 3:23; but with the coming of Christ/Grace we don't have to stay that way, Rom 3:24; through the obedience of faith in the Light of His Countenance that shine in our heart, 7-10 explains the operations of Grace appearance, John 16:8 bringing these to seeds into judgment within conscience, if we then say we have not sin, we deceive ourselves ,make Him a liar & the Truth/Word is not engraft within us. But if received, He cleanses us from all unrighteousness, iniquity, transgression & sin, Titus 2:14; By receiving His convictions, is the Power received, & everyone that 1John 3:3; is experience. So there a time when He finds us in sin, & a time that He cleanse from all sin.
5. Jude 1:21-24; ; Keeping yourselves in the love of God/ is by keeping His commandments, 1John 2:3-6; John 14:24; the Light of His Countenance that shine in our hearts
& in doing so He will keep you from falling, present you faultless! This is obviously from sinning against Him.
Hi Chris
Quoting you (we can never fulfill the law perfectly,) this is against Scriptures, Rom 8:4; it doesn't state a little or mostly, but fulfill in Christ Jesus! He's the Head, we're His body.
I've notice you've left the word 'abrogated', out of this conversation, no doubt; after this enlightenment, yet your being shifty to your assertions, as you indirectly assert it again by Hebrews 8:13; deceitfully clever, whether you were mindful of it or not, the Lord know the intent of our hearts. The Law; is only vanish away if we are walking in the Spirit, Gal 5:16; If we sin, than the Law revives & the penalty of death ensues. Sin is not to be continue in, to be repeated over & over again for life, the holy writ says, Rom 6:11; through the exercising of the Word of His Grace/Righteousness, it, the sin nature in purge out as we remain confident, faithful & steadfast unto the end. Hebrews 10:36-39;
This liberty that you speak of in the NC, from the context of our previous conversation; your stated, to fully know & obey God's will, by the working of Holy Spirit in them, your stating this can be accomplish, now your being evasive in this statement also, Titus 2:7; Friend, your speaking out of both sides of your mouth here, James 1:8; James 3:11,12; this doesn't become godliness, truth in the inward parts & righteousness in either testament.
We now are IDENTIFIED with Jesus death and resurrection.
Romans 6:3-11;
Yes, if we're truly indeed are "dead unto sin"
but if we continue in sin for life, as you have responsed to me, & believe that one cannot overcome sin in this life, than we're not IDENTIFIED with Christ death or resurrection. Consider what you're reading in Romans 6; It's speaking about Grace appearance within our hearts Titus 2:11,12; destroying all the works of the devil, Rom 6:14; by 2 Thessalonians 2:8; the man of sin, alais the son of perditon that rules the Adamic nature, the spirit of darkness who animates the son of disobedience. Daniel 2:22; for this purpose is the Son of God is manifested to destroy him, but what is that for those who continue in sin for life, but there condemnation.
Jesus name declares His works, Matt 1:21 not in their sins.
.
God bless.
Christ has already come & that in Spirit, He told His disciples; Mark 9:1; Matt 16:28; over 2000 yrs ago, which came in full power at Pentecost.
I will not leave you comfortless, but you will see me again, that your joy maybe full, & Christ doesn't come alone, He brings His Father within Him, They became Ephesians 2:22; John 17:21-23; & they Micah 4:3;
Hebrews 9:28; is Titus 2:11; diffusing the fragrance of His knowledge in every heart. 2Cor 4:6 This is Titus 2:13; describing His 2nd appearance in Spirit. Who continually gives of Himself that Titus 2:14;
As for this son of perdition; it's the old Adamic nature that is rule by Ephesians 6:12; who's coming 2Thessalonians 2:9; this spirit works even deceive the very elect, who, we all must engage with within 2 Cor 10:3-5; Jesus says; Matt 15:18,19; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, so their within us. Think about this, we all have these thoughts spring up within us, 1 Pet 4:3; thus Jesus commands; Luke 14:27; The ones, Satan does deceive is explain, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; they refuse to believe the Witness, whom God has place within conscience. John 16:8; John 12:47-50; Jesus says, 8:24; Therefore were He has gone one cannot go.
Both seeds are spiritual, both kingdoms are within mankind.
This rapture theory John 17:11:15 "not to take them out of the world". But describes receiving 1Pet 1:5-9;The cumulation is the Baptism of the Holy Spirt, describing 2 Cor 10:6; resulting from Titus 3:5; by 1Pet 1:23; unto John 3:3; the chaff, ( old man sin nature is thoroughly purges out without a trace, Daniel 2:34,35; these earthen vessels, 1Cor 15:48,49; ) the wheat (new man created in the image of Him that created him) is gather unto the Gardener, we're His & He's ours, Acts 1:9-11; Daniel 7:13;
It's a spiritual encounter & habitation with the One true God, John 17:24; here & now, Acts 4:32,33;
Do you perceive the wonderous honor & glory of God's Great Salvation, on earth as it is in heaven.
NT
a perfect sacrifice requires a perfect offering Matt 5:48; Rom 12:1; Perfection is required. He's the head, we're His body, is Christ sinful?
Gigi, describe perfectly the heart intent of a believer journey in the work of regeneration, except, not being able to overcome all sin. 1John 3:8; the perfect work of Grace purges out all iniquity, Titus 2:14; the littlest of leaven, leaveth the whole lump.
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the son's of God, & the Spirit of God will never, never lead one into sin. Therefore we know by who spirit we are of; 1John 3:9,10; Matt 17:17-23
Part 2
2 To make an end of sins (Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law). The verb in the Hebrew text translated as "put an end to" can mean "to seal up". The covering of our sins was accomplished on the cross at Calvary. When he said IT IS FINISHED, he provided us with the garments (wedding garments) to cover our sins. Psalm 32:1-2 Matthew 1:21 John 1:29 Romans 8:3 1 Corinthians 15:3 Hebrews 10:8-11 1 John 3:5 Revelation 16:15.
Is there still sin today? Yes. Will there still be sin and death after Jesus's second coming? Yes. Even during the 1000 years, there will be sin and death until all is made new Rev. 21:1-4 but through Jesus, they are covered and sealed, Rev. 16:15
3 To make reconciliation for iniquity (Reconciliation is an element of salvation that refers to the results of the atonement, iniquity is guilt, crookedness, perverseness, that which is not straight or upright, moral distortion, in the dark. Colossians 1:20-22 Isaiah 53:6 Isaiah 53:11 Ephesians 2:16 Titus 2:14 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.
The word reconcile means to bring back to a former state of harmony Jesus reconciled both Jew and Gentile unto God in one body by the cross and now through Jesus we both Jew and Gentile have access by one Spirit unto the Father no more strangers or foreigners but fellow citizens. Making reconciliation for iniquity concerns our involvement in the work of salvation.
4 To bring in everlasting righteousness. Everlasting, no end, righteousness, justice, mercy, loving-kindness, in conformity to the demands of the covenant and according to God's will, fair and balanced. Isaiah 61:10-11 2 Corinthians 5:21 Romans 3:21-26 Romans 5:17-21 1 Peter 2:24.
See Part 3
1Jn 1:8-10 explains the operations of John 16:8; & the exercises of Hebrews 5:13;14; when He convicts of sin or of righteousness, He bring these two seeds of thought within into judgment. The still small Voice of conscience that reproves us of sinful thoughts, words or actions, this is Grace Titus 2:11 / Light John 1:9 Christ spiritual appearance within our hearts, Ephesians 5:13; to 1 John 3:8; if rejected, His word has no place within us, & we call Him a liar & why? John 3:19,20; Rom 1:18,19; rejecting Him, we suppress the Truth in unrighteousness. Therefore we don't John 1:12; but if we receive His convictions, we received the power that comes with the conviction to become the sons of God, for the 1Cor 12:7; More insight of the Spirit operations within conscience, Rom 2:15;
So there's a time when Holy Spirit comes to us as sinners, for Rom 3:23 & a time ( if we received His words ) repentance is granted & we're cleanse from all sin. 1 John 1:9; Titus 2:14; 2Cor 7:1; by the 1 Pet 1:23; = Light, becoming Matt 5:48; 1 Pet 1:15,16; for they that are 1Cor 6:17 & in Him 1 John 3:5; All by the working of Grace / Light / Spirit appearance within conscience.
In Love & Truth
Frankie J
The great work of regeneration & renewing, picking up the Cross, the Power of God unto salvation, the dying daily, Gal 2:20; Paul knew John 8:32;. You quoted Philippians 3:12 read further :15 the word for mature is also translated "perfect" in the NKJV. (& by the way, I DON'T advocate anyone to the studying of the letter by natural arts of Hebrew/Greek etc; the different language begin at Babel, meaning confusion, & that's just what has happen, there' over 45,000 different sect's of Christianity worldwide, each proclaiming "here is Christ," When Christianity was first birth & brought forth by His Spirit, Act 4:32; Ephesians 4:5; is that the case today? Its more like Judges 21:25; God's words are Spirit & is only understood & possess by the Spirit which gave them forth. 2Cor 2:11,12; Gal 3:2 the Spirit is received by faith, which comes by hearing the Word of God in our heart, not the letter, for the letter kills, the Spirit alone gives us the very life of God, to be manifested in our mortal bodies, to the destroying ALL, ALL, ALL the works of the devil & conform us to Christ, Rom 8:39; Luke 6:40; The letter cannot do this, Scripture plainly points & instructs us in this, "he that hath ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit has to say.) Sanctification "making holy" is on this side of the grave, the work of Titus 2:11,12 & its includes the whole man, spirit, soul & body. Titus 2:14 cleansing us from ALL iniquity, that we may Col 1:22. The faith y'all are promoting is 2 Timothy 3:5; Gal 5:8,9
The angel proclaimed Matt 1:21; His Name declares His works "He shall saved them from their sins, not in their sins"
There's much more that could be brought forth here; Rom 6 -8
The Spirit prayer in Ephesians 1:17-21 "not only in this world, but that which is to come" Thy Kingdom come, here on earth as it is in heaven.
hope all will seriously consider & weigh these words. 2 Cor 3:5,6
In Love & Truth
Frankie J
..... Eph 6:12; 2 Cor 10:3,4,5; Matt 15:18; Matt 12:34 both seeds or kingdoms are within.
Paul gives us an insight of his growth in grace in 1Cor 9:27; he considers himself capable to falling, he kept his body under, then in Rom 8:35-39; he had reach a level of the stature an fullness of Christ that nothing could separate Him from the love of Christ Jesus his Lord. Sin separates, as Eden experience tell us & our own experiences bares witness to us.
Chris; you've accurately describe in your own experience His Grace/Light spiritual appearance within your heart, following Him in this manner will Titus 2: 14; Eze 36:25; the washing of the water of the Word; the incorruptible Seed; becoming holy, blameless unreproachable in His sight, that we may experience 2 Cor 6:16; Gal 2:20; Luke 6:40; Jn 17: 21-24
The veil of the flesh is taken away by Christ, that the intimacy, oneness with Him in Spirit may be known & felt in our hearts here on earth.
Hope this stimulates your query;
in love & truth
Franke J
I hope this enlighten & stimultates your heart search for Truth.
GOD to shine HIS face on all who love and trust HIM; and bless us all gloriously. 2 Chronicles 7:14, 15; Galatians 5:16; Matthew 28:18-20;
2 Peter 3:9; Titus 2: 11-14;
Ephesians 2: 8-10
Thank YOU FATHER for preserving YOUR word for our daily use. May we enter into the harvest and seek to fulfill YOUR will in us.
GOD bless and provide for all on this forum.
June 10, 2023
It gets fuzzy when we get into such things as a small group. What is considered an informal conversation often morphs with "teaching" in some respect. Certainly there is benefit to women teaching other women ( Titus 2:4-6) which involves bringing up responsible young women and men as well in their domestic duties. Certainly we are all part of God's family so it could extend to other families as well.
The theoretical conundrum is when a woman wishes to Pastor if there is "no man available" for such a role. If it is truly the case and no men are in a congregation; I don't see anything wrong with a woman taking up that role as it were; but as soon as a believing male is present there should be some oversight and transferrance of authority ASAP in that regard.
Also; I have read female authors (one in particular on Bible Prophecy) who is in my opinion uneqalled in the scriptural detail about the end times. She goes to church with her husband and doesn't attempt to have lectures and such on tour; just a website. Such conferences that women have are often sold as a sort of motivational talk but often are more like women taking over preaching as s Pastor role. Most of the time there appears to be egregious error in such cases; as to when wives and husbands have a "co-ministry".
The authority of a Pastor also is an elder role; which carries with it a supervisory role protecting the flock; exercising authority for church discipline and other matters. That does NOT mean that women shouldn't report an erring sister or brother although when do you hear about that? Matthew 18:15-20 should proceed from there with men.
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"
There are too many people in today's society confused of their reason for being here, who they identify as, and where to go for help. May our testimony in the LORD JESUS CHRIST make a difference as we pray, 2 Timothy 2:1-3; and go forth to make disciples, Matthew 28: 18-20; but most important- our own personal growth in the LORD, 2 Peter 1, Titus 2:11-15. (many, many more)
GOD to shine HIS face on all on this forum and bless you gloriously to praise and serve HIM from this day forward.
April 13, 2023
When seeking His will and petitioning prayers; it is His Covenant promises which we can tenaciously proclaim as it is His binding contract with His people that He has made with His good pleasure. This is certainly different than just seeking those things that seem most convenient to make us more comfortable in this life. It truly is best when His life is the guide to our lives and He can be the "captain" of our salvation ( Hebrews 2:10). It is this or being shipwrecked; as it were which is a warning for those who fall away ( 1 Timothy 1:9 as a general admonition along with specific individuals in other Pauline writings).
It is helpful, therefore to have brothers more mature in the faith as "iron sharpens iron." ( Proverbs 27:17). We should also have our individual walk grow to maturity with our quiet times; prayer life and devotionals. John 6:45 shows that we shall all be taught of God; so we should learn to discern His voice from the cacaphony that rings in our ears.
As adopted sons of God ( Gal. 4:5) we are granted therefore all the blessings and substance of the inheritance. The eternal riches in Glory certainly outweigh any earthly pleasures ( 2 Cor. 4:17). We should strive therefore to remain steadfast and remain in His will. The flesh is dying daily in terms of the outward man (see previous verse 16) but the inward man is being conformed to His image. (see Romans 12:2). To deny ungodliness is true freedom ( Titus 2:12) despite our natural affections that seem to indicate the contrary.
Even the Revelation 14:14-16 passage you quoted, referring to the harvest being the Church; if this is the Rapture, why then did the Church have to experience the previous judgements of God (in Revelation 6:1-17: Seal Judgements; Revelation 8:1-9:21: Trumpet Judgements). These can't be the ordinary, everyday turmoils that Earth's inhabitants face, but specific Judgements from God and then the sickle is struck for the harvesting (& of course, some are cast into the winepress of God's Wrath).
So brother, I don't want to continually rehash the earlier passages we've written about, as clearly we read these prophetical messages differently. My understanding is that the Great Tribulation of seven years (the last week seen in Daniel's prophecy), which includes God's Wrath in its various phases & intensities, will come after the Church is removed; even as promised to the Philadelphian Church in Revelation 3:10.
The anti-Christ (at least at the beginning of his reign of terror to his opponents), & the beginning of God's Judgements ( Revelation 6,8,9), assure our hearts that the Rapture of the Church can happen suddenly, without any signs to prepare for that day. The call is for our expectant joyous living & readiness now, as even the early Church was to urged to expect ( Philippians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; Titus 2:13; James 5:8; Revelation 1:3) - not for our awakening when things begin to get very difficult in the course of the final seven years. The call was always for believers' readiness - we couldn't be in such a state if we know that much more needs to happen before the Lord's Coming/Rapture of the Church - death might overtake most of us before then.
2. A second crucial rule of biblical hermeneutics is that passages must be interpreted historically, grammatically, and contextually. Interpreting a passage historically means we must first seek to understand the culture, background, and situation that prompted the writing. For example, in order to understand Jonah's flight, in Jonah 1:1-3, we should learn of the history of the Assyrians as it related to Israel.
Interpreting a passage grammatically requires one to follow the rules of grammar and recognize the nuances of Hebrew and Greek. For example, when Paul writes of "the great God and Saviour Jesus Christ" in Titus 2:13, the rules of grammar state that God and Savior are parallel terms and they are both in apposition to Jesus Christ; in other words, Paul clearly calls Jesus "our great God" & not identifying the two Persons separately in the Deity. Interpreting a passage contextually involves considering the context of a verse or passage when trying to determine the meaning. The context includes the verses immediately preceding and following it, the chapter, the book, and indeed the entire Bible. For example, many puzzling statements in Ecclesiastes become clearer when kept in context; the book of Ecclesiastes is written from the earthly perspective 'under the sun' ( Ecclesiastes 1:3). In fact, the phrase 'under the sun' is repeated many times in this book, establishing the context for all that is "vanity" in this world.
3. A third rule of biblical hermeneutics is that Scripture is always the best interpreter of Scripture (& this you believe & stated clearly). For this reason, we always compare Scripture with Scripture when trying to determine the meaning of a passage. For example, Isaiah's condemnation of Judah's desire to seek Egypt's help and their reliance on a strong cavalry ( Isaiah 31:1) was motivated, in part, by God's explicit command that His people not go to Egypt to seek horses ( Deuteronomy 17:16).
d. the revelation of the anti-Christ is restrained ( 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). Paul's reason for writing this was because the Church was greatly troubled that the Day of the Lord (Christ) had begun. Paul said that that day wouldn't commence until Jesus came for them & raptured them ("our gathering together unto him": v1). The 'restrainer' is the Holy Spirit in God's people, then when He is removed, God's people are removed, for the Holy Spirit was sent to indwell us & work in & through us & for the Gospel's propagation ( John 16:7,8,13).
e. a comparison between an imminent Rapture & Rapture at the Second Coming:
1. Translation of all believers ( 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18) --- No translation at all ( Revelation 19:6-21).
2. Raptured saints return to Heaven ( 1 Thessalonians 4:17; John 14:1-3) --- Raptured saints return to Earth ( 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Revelation 19:14).
3. Any moment, in readiness, without signs ( 1 Corinthians 1:7; Philippians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; Titus 2:13; James 5:7-9; Revelation 3:11, 22:7,12,20) --- many signs given of the Great Tribulation which leads into Jesus' coming (so a readiness cannot be expected, as the seven year's count down begins with the anti-Christ).
A Pre-Tribulation Rapture position keeps the Church ready & watching for her Lord's Coming. Any other position can give her the tendency to apathy & carelessness. The Church is told to be watchful, in spite of ridicule, "where is the promise of his coming" ( 2 Peter 3:4). But Christ's coming is held back until the full number are saved (v9) - and then Jesus will come to take His Church Home.
Gena,
I'm sorry for being long winded, but I think the rest of what I wanted to say is important, and I hope you find something of value in this.
Jesus makes a statement in Matthew 26:41. We know it as the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. But Matthew 26:41 literally reads the spirit is prepared. The flesh is weak.
You see, what He's showing them is that they need to be watching for Satan, lest they fall into temptation. They can't do it in the flesh. The flesh is weak.
They didn't have the Holy Spirit yet. The Lord was giving them an illustration of being spiritually awake, alert to Satan, which they could not do without the Holy Spirit.
So it was a lesson on watchfulness, spiritually. It is a lesson on sobriety, except He's not talking about alcohol.
In Paul's letters, and I'm summing it up for you, but in Paul's letters he would talk about this condition to warn believers about being sober minded.
In other words, your mind can be so drunk with the things of the world, that your mind is just so occupied with all these things. It's the same as being drunk, only it's mental. You'll sit there in the chair and stare at the wall because you have so much to think about.
Be sober minded. Don't get drunk on the things of the world occupying your mind. Be watchful. Be alert.
So he says in Verse 8, but we who are of the day, we should be sober.
Again, many places in scripture where we see the word sober, it has nothing to do with alcohol, but sober as in being sober minded.
Blessings to you in Christ Jesus!
There are several places in the Bible where we see the word sober that refer to being sober minded, not sober as in refraining from alcohol. Would you be able to share some of the verses you are referring to?
As far as being sober minded, I'll take 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 as an example. In Verse 6, it says therefore, and I'll give you some technical things here about the translation.
Instead of let us not sleep, it's literally we should not sleep. It's not a command. It says we should not sleep, as do the others; but let us watch and be sober.
Verse 7 says "For they that sleep, they sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night."
And again, a literal translation in Verse 8:
But we should, (that is, we who are of the day), we should be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love;
Now just for the sake of information, and please hang with me for a moment here because there are some very important words.
In Verse 6, the word watch means to be awake. It's the opposite of sleep. The word sober has to do with sober mindedness.
Now here's the connection:
In Matthew Chapter 26 Verse 36, Jesus, before He died, He took Peter and a couple of the other disciples, and He wanted to pray in the garden.
His heart was heavy, and He wanted to take them with Him so that He could pray. And He left them at a certain spot and He went a little distance and began to pray.
He came back and they were sleeping. He says cannot you watch with me for one hour? He went back to prayer again. When He came back, they were sleeping again. He told them that it's important to be awake lest you fall into temptation.
What He's doing is He's taking a physical circumstance and making a spiritual illustration, because He goes back to praying again, comes back and finds them sleeping again and tells them "Okay, let's go."
I'm out of space but would like to share a little more if you haven't fallen asleep on me yet!
Part 4
To make reconciliation for iniquity
Reconciliation is an element of salvation that refers to the results of the atonement, to coat or cover, Isaiah 61:10 Rev. 3:4 Rev. 16:15, iniquity is guilt, crookedness, twistedness, perverseness, that which is not straight or upright, and moral distortion in the dark.
Colossians 1:20-22 Isaiah 53:5-6 Isaiah 53:11 Ephesians 2:16 Titus 2:14 Romans 4:7 2 Romans 5:10-11 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Colossians 1:19-22
The word reconcile means to bring back to a former state of harmony, Jesus reconciled both Jew and Gentile unto God in one body by the cross and now through Jesus we both Jew and Gentile have access by one Spirit unto the Father, no more strangers or foreigners but fellow citizens. Making reconciliation for iniquity concerns our involvement in the work of salvation. God has reconciled himself to us and empowered us by his Spirit to reconcile ourselves to God and one another.
To bring in everlasting righteousness.
Everlasting, no end, long duration, antiquity, futurity, forever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, continuous existence. Righteousness, God's attribute, justice, mercy, loving-kindness, in conformity to the demands of the covenant, and according to God's will, fair and balanced.
Isaiah 61:10-11 Hebrews 8:12 Romans 3:21-26 Romans 5:17-21 1 Corinthians 1:30 2 Corinthians 5:21 1 Peter 2:24
Everlasting righteousness was what our Lord manifested in His sinless life. Jesus by His blood entered in once into the holy place not made by hands having obtained eternal redemption, everlasting, and in Jesus we have everlasting righteousness and salvation, through faith, given by grace from God, by the blood of the Lamb freely offered for us. We have no righteousness apart from Jesus Christ.
See Part 5
Thanks again Jimbob. If I might take our discussion to anothe level. One great fact of the Church's Rapture, is not only its imminency but its suddenness. In the NT, the command was for readiness ( Matthew 25:13 (10 virgins); Luke 12:40; Philippians 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; Titus 2:13), for Christ's coming. The early Church was expecting it & proclaiming it, but the scoffers, then & now have proved themselves right ( 2 Peter 3:3,4) - Jesus hadn't come, nor has history ever recorded such a 'parousia' ever taking place. But the Church still continues to wait, knowing that God's Word is True & that God's Time is never man's concept of time ( 2 Peter 3:8). Therefore the question: why should we await for the any-moment return of Jesus, if that return could be quite easily plotted by the 'falling away', the appearance of the anti-Christ, even the beginning of the Great Tribulation (of God's Wrath which you believe only includes those catastrophic events of Matthew 24:29; Revelation chapter 16)?