When you read the various signs of the "end times", it's pretty amazing how many of those signs are shining brightly in our faces! The several verses stating that "bad will be called good, and good will be called bad" (I'm paraphrasing, of course) are particularly relevant. If any of you are sitting on the fence regarding the truth of Christianity, or are like I was throughout my 20's, where I thought I was too smart for Christianity, I invite you to read through the ENTIRE Bible, beginning with Genesis, and ending with Revelation, and then sit quietly in a room, and see if you are still a dis-believer. Not all will be saved, but until you give yourself a chance to know, you won't know.
Just started Genesis last night and I'm like "Oh man I can't believe I waited until I was almost 30 to start this!" It basically confirms evolution-in my point of view. When Eve and Adam have the forbidden fruit of knowledge [3:16] To the woman he (God) said, "I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you." They also became ashamed of being naked.
Before that, childbirth was not painful and they were not ashamed of being naked because they were like animals. Baby's heads could fit better in the birthing canal. After they changed, women now had to rely on their husbands for food, etc. so now they become ruled over by their husbands. In the animal world females and males are closer matched physically and females don't rely on the males of their species for survival.
Sorry for the rant, I had to share it! Read through it most of it last night and I'm a little over halfway through. Going to finish it tonight!
Genesis has always been one of my favorite books! There is so much knowledge and wisdom! As a geologist, I find the account of the creation of life, and the Earth itself, agrees with the evidence seen today. What I find particularly intriguing is that there is a valley associated with the present Hudson River, that extends out beyond the continental shelf, and on down to the deepest ocean depths thousands of feet below present sea level. There is absolutely no way a valley like that could be formed below the ocean surface (the pitiful attempt to explain submarine canyons of this magnitude as being formed by density currents is laughable!); it is clear evidence that there once were essentially no oceans, which agrees with the Genesis account of the water of the Earth being in the atmosphere, and below ground, only to be during the great flood.
So true. I’m in my 20s and was agnostic at best. Started the Bible late last year and finished it early this year. Greatest book I’ve ever read. Converted for life.
Awesome! It's very difficult to read through the Bible if you are not a Christian. I first was saved, then I read through. Even then it is difficult to accept God telling the Israelites to totally wipe out (kill every living thing!) non-Jewish towns, but when you realize God is Holy, and we are just specks in the universe, it is easier to come to terms with His plan for man. Humans trying to figure out God is like an amoeba trying to figure out humans.
Perhaps if one takes everything in the Bible as literal. I don’t necessarily take the stories literally (especially the old testament). I didn’t view the story you mentioned as literal. I understood this story as an extreme example of how important it is to follow God, as there can be dire consequences if we don’t pay attention to exactly what he says (Saul was punished for not following every word).
The OT to me portrays mankind at a lower level of consciuosness, like children who require an adult to constantly instruct. A very judicial and transactive society. The New Testament portrays an elevation of consciuosness (through Jesus). The fulfillment of the old law with a better and higher law. Justice still exists, but is now accompanied by mercy. Jesus makes tithes and offerings obsolete to obey God and show devotion. He pronounces that the Kingdom of God is within each of us, signifying our direct relationship with the Father and not requiring third parties (a major reason why the Pharisees hated Jesus). The highest law is charity as this is the only way we can prove our love and devotion to God.
I’ve always struggled with trying to rationalize how God in the Old Testament would directly intervene with the lives of people, but would let children starve and be abused like we’re seeing today. This is why I look at those stories as stories with deeper meaning. We (as society) are responsible for these atrocities, just like the ancient Hebrews were responsible back then. They were punished (Jerusalem destroyed) because they stopped caring for the children/widows, stopped upholding truth, became apathetic and wicked. And, when society becomes like this, there is only one outcome unless there’s repentance. God manifests himself through us. THIS is why we matter. We choose to be his disciples/representatives or not. We choose to perpetuate evil and pain, or follow the higher law (which requires an elevated consciuosness) to promote love, peace, and prosperity. This is the only way to combat Satan and the evils of this world. The choice is ours. God bless.
This is the same interpretation I've come to regarding my understanding of the Bible as it relates to the religious, societal and conscious evolution of humans since the early ages.
I also believe that there are many things mentioned in the bible that describe the technology and methods we have today but in terms limited by the authors' understanding given the times in which they lived. This results in all kinds of wild and magical sounding tales that aren't that far-fetched when one looks at the "magic" we're all capable of doing on a daily basis.
Not to discount the actual efficacy of miraculous acts; I have faith that this sort of power exists and we catch glimpses of it even in these depraved times, but I also understand how we are not worthy of wielding such power and likely have never been. Fortunately, we've been provided a savior by the Most High who was determined to be the only human worthy of such things—who then was persecuted and killed by the same unworthy heathens with whom we share blood.
I digress: much of our humanity, to me, boils down to making the conscious choice of doing good in the world instead of evil, and that choice seems to follow the same binary nature (balance) as the rest of the unknown universe (life/death, matter/antimatter, good/evil, G_d/Satan) and we've been given the name of the side of good. The choice is then up to us, hence our free will to choose.
I believe that this, through Jesus' sacrifice, is our atonement for the original sin; we've been given the knowledge of good and evil after partaking from the fruit from the tree and must now make our choice.
Sorry for the rant, I just love nerding out over biblical interpretation, it seems!
I enjoyed all the thoughtful interpretations brought about in this thread. I haven't read much of the Bible since I was very young, but have had similar thoughts with the passages I have read. Look forward to reading more soon (trying to find an heirloom Bible in storage first).
I would suggest starting with the new testament. A couple of days into reading it, I was contemplating how I could use the words of Jesus to be a better person and help people, and I felt the Holy Spirit come over me.
Also look for other resources to help you understand the Bible. Be careful of what you listen to, though. Much of mainstream Christianity has been corrupted by the enemy (just like politics has). I'm reading "Intercessory Prayer" by Dutch Sheets right now, and I highly recommend it.
A couple of years ago I tried reading the Bible from the beginning and got so depressed I had to quit. You need some perspective to get through the old testament and you need to know that we are now operating on a new, better covenant than those before Christ, so you don't get depressed reading about all of the genocide, slavery, etc.
Yes, it is difficult to read through the entire Bible if you are not a Christian, but if someone can get through the entire Old Testament, I think the New Testament may be what brings them to accepting the entire Bible as a truthful account of the history of man, and God's creation of them, and interaction with them.
Let us all here be like Simon of Cyrene, who had traveled to Jerusalem as part of the Passover. May we see Jesus in each person, and may we have the strength and grace to help them carry their cross.
"[26] And as they led him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country; and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus."
Luke 23:26
We Adore You, O Christ, and We Bless You,
Because by Your Cross You Have Redeemed the World
Other than Peter saying " i believe you are the Messiah the son of God" and Jesus saying "mine and the fathers testimony is true" when asked by the Pharisees.
Here we have a Roman executioner also proclaiming Jesus' divinity.
God plus one equals a majority against tyranny! Short term or long, HE will win. He already triumphed at the cross and theses cabalistic Satanists keep trying to nail him up there again and convince us he's dead and that they reign supreme over us. They can do counterfeit illusory magic like in the days of Pharaoh but they can't undo what his triumph at the cross has already won! NCSWIC!!!
Last night I dreamed a prayer, and in my sleeping mind
I saw my savior Jesus there in perfect form sublime.
In life I tend to carry sin in grief that’s hard to shake
But here I felt no weight with-in, like when I am awake.
I stood in his consuming grace, completely wrapped in love.
Carried in his warm embrace that held me like a glove.
And in the mist of slumber, in the light of Christ Ablaze
All the saved in number, sang to our lord this praise.
God mine, father divine, not my will but thine.
On my knee, I give to thee, all my love God mine.
I feel like the Devil has made a special project of me at times.
Wrote this which describes me pretty well:
My savior is with me thou I struggle
In my heart with him I abide
Though in sin I toil through my trouble
He never does leave from my side
And I know before my final hour
That within him secure I will be
That my faith like a blossoming flower
Will bloom forth for my God to see.
Yet in this life filled with much bleakness
I pray to my God above
Lord judge me not for my weakness
But Father for only my love
For on that day when you open the book
Despite all of the errors I've made
I know on one of the pages you'll look
To see I was worthy of the price that you paid.
I don't get this and never have. Why would anyone (god in this case) send their only child to certain death? Of course I have respectfully asked this question to religious people and they always say something like it was to save humanity. Wtf?
Jesus was Gods only begotten Son but He was more than that. He was the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit all in one. He came to teach humanity and give them a path to Salvation. He was the ultimate sacrificial Lamb. Before the Christ sacrificed Himself on the Cross there was no path to Heaven.
He in His ultimate wisdom and compassion gave humanity this gift.
This is actually a wonderful question to ask, since it is a perfect question to ask God, as you build a relationship with Him.
There's a wonderful Lenten retreat, called
Glimpses Along the Way of the Cross, that explores this very topic. When his students discussed this very same question, Bishop Shea says,* "the death of Christ on the cross, is the most tender and eloquent invitation possible to friendship with Him. There's no coercion, no guilt, no force. His hands are nailed to the cross. There's not even the force of argument - just His eyes, looking at us. And we find ourselves wanting Him in our lives."*
May God bless you on your journey. Never stop seeking Him.
Understanding comes with faith, prayer, and time. Inherent in this story is the presumption that the soul exists and does not die; the world is a crucible in which our souls can be purified; and Christ's life and death was an example of a pure soul demonstrating that the material world is immaterial to the spirit. There is more to it than that, but that is one part relevant to your comment.
GOD in all caps please! It was the only way to save Humanity or we wouldn't be around to this very day! Do you know how vile and sinful everything would be without LIGHT shinning in the darkness. GOD himself came down and lived among us to teach man his Love and Forgiveness. The only way to be saved is thru the CREATOR Himself JESUS CHRIST!
Be careful on who you follow; applies to men twisting the way you should think regarding God.
Some suggests to LOVE God and his son Jesus; fear is one of the saddest chants of man.
Some suggests God is within; which makes more sense than mini mansions/temples; infested with pedovores.
Love one Another really has no exceptions; even those that wear their security masks deserve our love. The majority of the mask wearers need love, more than those that are maskless, Be kind to the meek/weak. They need us more now, than ever,
HOPPY EASTER EVERYONE.
A wonderful time of year; black jelly beans are easier to find. A time to ignore common sense and gobble some of these poison treats.
Agreed; I wish more people would also remember that we were made in His image.
This, to me, means that we find our connection to Him from within, and can perform acts of creation [non-destruction] without (will, plan, action= tangible results in the world/the gift of creation within the confines of our realm.)
Sent to me this morning.
“13 This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.”
Ecclesiastes12
14 Nissan was a Wednesday. The day Christ was crucified. Friday to Sunday morning does not allow for the 3 days and 3 nights in the grave as the prophecy and the judaic law states.
And said - “ Father forgive them they know not what they do.” Such amazing love....
When you read the various signs of the "end times", it's pretty amazing how many of those signs are shining brightly in our faces! The several verses stating that "bad will be called good, and good will be called bad" (I'm paraphrasing, of course) are particularly relevant. If any of you are sitting on the fence regarding the truth of Christianity, or are like I was throughout my 20's, where I thought I was too smart for Christianity, I invite you to read through the ENTIRE Bible, beginning with Genesis, and ending with Revelation, and then sit quietly in a room, and see if you are still a dis-believer. Not all will be saved, but until you give yourself a chance to know, you won't know.
Amen. And pray.
Just started Genesis last night and I'm like "Oh man I can't believe I waited until I was almost 30 to start this!" It basically confirms evolution-in my point of view. When Eve and Adam have the forbidden fruit of knowledge [3:16] To the woman he (God) said, "I will greatly increase your pangs in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you." They also became ashamed of being naked.
Before that, childbirth was not painful and they were not ashamed of being naked because they were like animals. Baby's heads could fit better in the birthing canal. After they changed, women now had to rely on their husbands for food, etc. so now they become ruled over by their husbands. In the animal world females and males are closer matched physically and females don't rely on the males of their species for survival.
Sorry for the rant, I had to share it! Read through it most of it last night and I'm a little over halfway through. Going to finish it tonight!
Genesis has always been one of my favorite books! There is so much knowledge and wisdom! As a geologist, I find the account of the creation of life, and the Earth itself, agrees with the evidence seen today. What I find particularly intriguing is that there is a valley associated with the present Hudson River, that extends out beyond the continental shelf, and on down to the deepest ocean depths thousands of feet below present sea level. There is absolutely no way a valley like that could be formed below the ocean surface (the pitiful attempt to explain submarine canyons of this magnitude as being formed by density currents is laughable!); it is clear evidence that there once were essentially no oceans, which agrees with the Genesis account of the water of the Earth being in the atmosphere, and below ground, only to be during the great flood.
Just read and keep your public education out of it and you'll learn a lot more.
This was me and most of my generation.
I was on that train until last year. His hand is always open ?
So true. I’m in my 20s and was agnostic at best. Started the Bible late last year and finished it early this year. Greatest book I’ve ever read. Converted for life.
Awesome! It's very difficult to read through the Bible if you are not a Christian. I first was saved, then I read through. Even then it is difficult to accept God telling the Israelites to totally wipe out (kill every living thing!) non-Jewish towns, but when you realize God is Holy, and we are just specks in the universe, it is easier to come to terms with His plan for man. Humans trying to figure out God is like an amoeba trying to figure out humans.
Perhaps if one takes everything in the Bible as literal. I don’t necessarily take the stories literally (especially the old testament). I didn’t view the story you mentioned as literal. I understood this story as an extreme example of how important it is to follow God, as there can be dire consequences if we don’t pay attention to exactly what he says (Saul was punished for not following every word).
The OT to me portrays mankind at a lower level of consciuosness, like children who require an adult to constantly instruct. A very judicial and transactive society. The New Testament portrays an elevation of consciuosness (through Jesus). The fulfillment of the old law with a better and higher law. Justice still exists, but is now accompanied by mercy. Jesus makes tithes and offerings obsolete to obey God and show devotion. He pronounces that the Kingdom of God is within each of us, signifying our direct relationship with the Father and not requiring third parties (a major reason why the Pharisees hated Jesus). The highest law is charity as this is the only way we can prove our love and devotion to God.
I’ve always struggled with trying to rationalize how God in the Old Testament would directly intervene with the lives of people, but would let children starve and be abused like we’re seeing today. This is why I look at those stories as stories with deeper meaning. We (as society) are responsible for these atrocities, just like the ancient Hebrews were responsible back then. They were punished (Jerusalem destroyed) because they stopped caring for the children/widows, stopped upholding truth, became apathetic and wicked. And, when society becomes like this, there is only one outcome unless there’s repentance. God manifests himself through us. THIS is why we matter. We choose to be his disciples/representatives or not. We choose to perpetuate evil and pain, or follow the higher law (which requires an elevated consciuosness) to promote love, peace, and prosperity. This is the only way to combat Satan and the evils of this world. The choice is ours. God bless.
This is the same interpretation I've come to regarding my understanding of the Bible as it relates to the religious, societal and conscious evolution of humans since the early ages.
I also believe that there are many things mentioned in the bible that describe the technology and methods we have today but in terms limited by the authors' understanding given the times in which they lived. This results in all kinds of wild and magical sounding tales that aren't that far-fetched when one looks at the "magic" we're all capable of doing on a daily basis.
Not to discount the actual efficacy of miraculous acts; I have faith that this sort of power exists and we catch glimpses of it even in these depraved times, but I also understand how we are not worthy of wielding such power and likely have never been. Fortunately, we've been provided a savior by the Most High who was determined to be the only human worthy of such things—who then was persecuted and killed by the same unworthy heathens with whom we share blood.
I digress: much of our humanity, to me, boils down to making the conscious choice of doing good in the world instead of evil, and that choice seems to follow the same binary nature (balance) as the rest of the unknown universe (life/death, matter/antimatter, good/evil, G_d/Satan) and we've been given the name of the side of good. The choice is then up to us, hence our free will to choose.
I believe that this, through Jesus' sacrifice, is our atonement for the original sin; we've been given the knowledge of good and evil after partaking from the fruit from the tree and must now make our choice.
Sorry for the rant, I just love nerding out over biblical interpretation, it seems!
I enjoyed all the thoughtful interpretations brought about in this thread. I haven't read much of the Bible since I was very young, but have had similar thoughts with the passages I have read. Look forward to reading more soon (trying to find an heirloom Bible in storage first).
Thanks for nerding out.
I would suggest starting with the new testament. A couple of days into reading it, I was contemplating how I could use the words of Jesus to be a better person and help people, and I felt the Holy Spirit come over me.
Also look for other resources to help you understand the Bible. Be careful of what you listen to, though. Much of mainstream Christianity has been corrupted by the enemy (just like politics has). I'm reading "Intercessory Prayer" by Dutch Sheets right now, and I highly recommend it.
A couple of years ago I tried reading the Bible from the beginning and got so depressed I had to quit. You need some perspective to get through the old testament and you need to know that we are now operating on a new, better covenant than those before Christ, so you don't get depressed reading about all of the genocide, slavery, etc.
Yes, it is difficult to read through the entire Bible if you are not a Christian, but if someone can get through the entire Old Testament, I think the New Testament may be what brings them to accepting the entire Bible as a truthful account of the history of man, and God's creation of them, and interaction with them.
Let us all here be like Simon of Cyrene, who had traveled to Jerusalem as part of the Passover. May we see Jesus in each person, and may we have the strength and grace to help them carry their cross.
"[26] And as they led him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country; and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus." Luke 23:26
We Adore You, O Christ, and We Bless You, Because by Your Cross You Have Redeemed the World
Just want to point out that the coming of Christ was a conspiracy theory until He came.
"Truly, this was the Son of God"
People cannot be told, they must be shown.
I love that quote from the Roman soldier.
Other than Peter saying " i believe you are the Messiah the son of God" and Jesus saying "mine and the fathers testimony is true" when asked by the Pharisees.
Here we have a Roman executioner also proclaiming Jesus' divinity.
This is one of my favorite scenes from movie Jesus of Nazareth, which is the best "Life of Jesus" movie ever done, in my view.
https://youtu.be/97a0fLC4S-0
Thanks for sharing that clip, I'll check the film out
DEEP. And so true.
God plus one equals a majority against tyranny! Short term or long, HE will win. He already triumphed at the cross and theses cabalistic Satanists keep trying to nail him up there again and convince us he's dead and that they reign supreme over us. They can do counterfeit illusory magic like in the days of Pharaoh but they can't undo what his triumph at the cross has already won! NCSWIC!!!
Amen
Amen
Amen. Praying a little more today for the lost and thanking Jesus for giving his precious life for us.
I am praying for the innocent.
For myself I can only beg forgiveness.
https://youtu.be/z6cWEcqxhlI
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost“
God is King!
Something I woke up one morning and wrote:
Last night I dreamed a prayer, and in my sleeping mind
I saw my savior Jesus there in perfect form sublime.
In life I tend to carry sin in grief that’s hard to shake
But here I felt no weight with-in, like when I am awake.
I stood in his consuming grace, completely wrapped in love.
Carried in his warm embrace that held me like a glove.
And in the mist of slumber, in the light of Christ Ablaze
All the saved in number, sang to our lord this praise.
God mine, father divine, not my will but thine.
On my knee, I give to thee, all my love God mine.
Wow, I really love that poem fren. You must have a close relationship with the Lord to write something so beautiful and meaningfull.
Thank you for sharing it I'm going to save as a favourite
I feel like the Devil has made a special project of me at times.
Wrote this which describes me pretty well:
My savior is with me thou I struggle
In my heart with him I abide
Though in sin I toil through my trouble
He never does leave from my side
And I know before my final hour
That within him secure I will be
That my faith like a blossoming flower
Will bloom forth for my God to see.
Yet in this life filled with much bleakness
I pray to my God above
Lord judge me not for my weakness
But Father for only my love
For on that day when you open the book
Despite all of the errors I've made
I know on one of the pages you'll look
To see I was worthy of the price that you paid.
Lovely.
Thanks
That is amazing, I love all these poems coming out praising God on Easter.
That is very well written fren.
I think it touches a lot of peoples feelings and should be shared
Thank you.
Beautiful words, friend. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks.
Tippy Top Toe....! ?
MAGA.....
WWG1WGA
Amen.
Amen
I don't get this and never have. Why would anyone (god in this case) send their only child to certain death? Of course I have respectfully asked this question to religious people and they always say something like it was to save humanity. Wtf?
Jesus was Gods only begotten Son but He was more than that. He was the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit all in one. He came to teach humanity and give them a path to Salvation. He was the ultimate sacrificial Lamb. Before the Christ sacrificed Himself on the Cross there was no path to Heaven. He in His ultimate wisdom and compassion gave humanity this gift.
This is actually a wonderful question to ask, since it is a perfect question to ask God, as you build a relationship with Him.
There's a wonderful Lenten retreat, called Glimpses Along the Way of the Cross, that explores this very topic. When his students discussed this very same question, Bishop Shea says,* "the death of Christ on the cross, is the most tender and eloquent invitation possible to friendship with Him. There's no coercion, no guilt, no force. His hands are nailed to the cross. There's not even the force of argument - just His eyes, looking at us. And we find ourselves wanting Him in our lives."*
May God bless you on your journey. Never stop seeking Him.
Understanding comes with faith, prayer, and time. Inherent in this story is the presumption that the soul exists and does not die; the world is a crucible in which our souls can be purified; and Christ's life and death was an example of a pure soul demonstrating that the material world is immaterial to the spirit. There is more to it than that, but that is one part relevant to your comment.
GOD in all caps please! It was the only way to save Humanity or we wouldn't be around to this very day! Do you know how vile and sinful everything would be without LIGHT shinning in the darkness. GOD himself came down and lived among us to teach man his Love and Forgiveness. The only way to be saved is thru the CREATOR Himself JESUS CHRIST!
Jesus is The Lord!
Communion ?? YuMM ??
cannibals in training
Be careful on who you follow; applies to men twisting the way you should think regarding God.
Some suggests to LOVE God and his son Jesus; fear is one of the saddest chants of man.
Some suggests God is within; which makes more sense than mini mansions/temples; infested with pedovores.
Love one Another really has no exceptions; even those that wear their security masks deserve our love. The majority of the mask wearers need love, more than those that are maskless, Be kind to the meek/weak. They need us more now, than ever,
HOPPY EASTER EVERYONE.
A wonderful time of year; black jelly beans are easier to find. A time to ignore common sense and gobble some of these poison treats.
White Rabbit...
Matthew 24: Jesus disciples asks him what will be the signs of the end times. The first thing he told them : Don't Be Deceived."
✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️
The only true king man can have, and be safe from the machinations men, is God. No institution or artifice can be made to replace Him.
Agreed; I wish more people would also remember that we were made in His image.
This, to me, means that we find our connection to Him from within, and can perform acts of creation [non-destruction] without (will, plan, action= tangible results in the world/the gift of creation within the confines of our realm.)
AMEN, fren
Thank you God, for sending Jesus to die for us.
Sent to me this morning. “13 This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.” Ecclesiastes12
There are a few men of historic reference that have changed the entire landscape of human history, of all the most important is Jesus.
Possibly with the second being Tesla.
If Jesus brought the light, then Telsa brought the fire, (Prometheus) and we have been battling for our freedom from Satan ever sense.
God Bless you all, my Sisters and Brothers in Christ.
Love you!
Amen brother!
14 Nissan was a Wednesday. The day Christ was crucified. Friday to Sunday morning does not allow for the 3 days and 3 nights in the grave as the prophecy and the judaic law states.