The point is to preach the gospell of Jesus Christ all the time
"O sing to the LORD a new song,For He has done wonderful things,His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him.The LORD has made known His salvation;He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth;Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises.Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre;With the lyre and the sound of melody.With trumpets and the sound of the hornShout joyfully before the King, the LORD.Let the sea roar and all it contains,The world and those who dwell in it.Let the rivers clap their hands;Let the mountains sing together for joyBefore the LORD; for He is coming to judge the earth.He will judge the world with righteousness,And the peoples with equity."
The Psalm speaks of the LORD's work of Redemption and His Coming with all of creation anticipating and responding. And then, the first verse of the 99th Psalm says,
"The LORD reigns, let the people tremble;."
GLORIOUS!
tweenthelines wrote:But surely the "thousand years" = 1 day, - is simply an analogical device to provide the (infinite) extent of God's perception, compared with mortal, rather than literal time?
Everything that God says has a reason. Of course you agree.
But, the question is: Why did God say, "A thousand years is as a day, and a day, as a thousand years?" when talking about the new heavens and new earth and coming judgment in 2 Peter.
Since we know that God exists eternally, there is no need to clue us in on that with a direct correlation between 1 day and 1,000 yrs.
He purposefully, said, "One day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as a day" for our understanding.
In Daniel, speaking of the time of the end, Scripture says, "In the latter days, you will understand."
I think God intrigues us with the depth of His Word and the riches that He unfolds to us over time.
He made us curious as humans, and that curiousity also drives us to seek to understand the difficult passages.
Hopeful wrote:P.S. Not to appear flippant, I might add the Scripture that says, "One day is as thousand yrs., and a thousand yrs. as a day." That being the case, only two days have passed since that Scripture was given. If creation itself is tied to the 7 day week, then, we'd be in the 6th day, and the Sabbath day is coming - the time of blessedness and rest in the Kingdom of God. I think the pattern of 6 days of creation and the 7th day of rest holds as a metaphor for the time of man and earth and the curse and redemption and consummation. But, go ahead, rake me over the coals if you disagree.
Ive heard of that theory before.But surely the "thousand years" = 1 day, - is simply an analogical device to provide the (infinite) extent of God's perception, compared with mortal, rather than literal time?
For examplePsalm 90:4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night
2Pet 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
tweenthelines wrote:But when IS the "last days"???Has the "last days" period lasted 2000 years thus far???
So, I'd re-state my position - "Looking for that glorious appearing of our Great, God and Saviour."
P.S. Not to appear flippant, I might add the Scripture that says, "One day is as thousand yrs., and a thousand yrs. as a day." That being the case, only two days have passed since that Scripture was given. If creation itself is tied to the 7 day week, then, we'd be in the 6th day, and the Sabbath day is coming - the time of blessedness and rest in the Kingdom of God. I think the pattern of 6 days of creation and the 7th day of rest holds as a metaphor for the time of man and earth and the curse and redemption and consummation. But, go ahead, rake me over the coals if you disagree.
Hopeful wrote:2 Tim. 3:1-4 says, "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be:*lovers of themselves,
2 Tim. 3:1-4 says, "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
For men will be:
*lovers of themselves,
*lovers of money,
*boasters,
*proud,
*blasphemers,
*disobedient to parents,
*unthankful,
*unholy,
*unloving,
*unforgiving,
*slanderers,
*without self-control,
*brutal,
*despisers of good,
*traitors,
*headstrong,
*haughty,
*lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,"
If ever the descriptive words above marked the attitudes of humankind, it is NOW!
"Looking for that Blessed Hope and Glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ."
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 1 Timothy 4:1
For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."
Thus a time of lots of differing denominations like now.
"And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars"
Yep were there.
"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places"
Yep. Sounds like todays news.
"Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake"
Also happening today. Martyrdom and hate growing daily.
"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold"
Another sign of the times. Love itself is cold in the worldly but also runs icy in all to many church pews.
"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand)"
Now which of you can "read and understand"???
"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved"
This folks is the "easy" way to survive the great tribulation.
"but for the *ELECT'S* sake those days"???
Minnow wrote:It is insufficient to propose that God’s entire purpose is channelled only through love. Justice flows from the love of God in His Son CRUCIFIED. Jesus, God's only Son, is a "propitiation" for our sins. Thus He was sent to appease God the judge, NOT just God’s emotional affections for errant mortals. The "obedience" of Christ to death upon the cross is another important and relevant factor.Let’s not reduce God’s love or Christ’s atoning sacrifice to an emotive reaction to a bunch of sinners.Do not void the purpose of God (who IS love) from justice, atonement, righteousness and His coming wrath against the iniquity in mankind.
Jesus, God's only Son, is a "propitiation" for our sins. Thus He was sent to appease God the judge, NOT just God’s emotional affections for errant mortals. The "obedience" of Christ to death upon the cross is another important and relevant factor.
Let’s not reduce God’s love or Christ’s atoning sacrifice to an emotive reaction to a bunch of sinners.Do not void the purpose of God (who IS love) from justice, atonement, righteousness and His coming wrath against the iniquity in mankind.
We shouldn't reduce God's agape love to an "emotive reaction to a bunch of sinners." It's a bit more than that.
Mike wrote:Unless He loved them, wanted them to live, and made a way.
If we lived in a world without the crucifixion, then I could perceive the reason d’tre for the love only stance.
Justice, mercy, propitiation, faith and indeed the wrath must also be taken into consideration. God abhors sin, iniquity and transgression, all of which are prevalent in the human condition.
Let’s not reduce God’s love or Christ’s atoning sacrifice to an emotive reaction to a bunch of sinners.
Do not void the purpose of God (who IS love) from justice, atonement, righteousness and His coming wrath against the iniquity in mankind.
Lev 26:15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: 16 I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror..."
Minnow wrote:Not so! The flood disagrees with this observation.The only way “justice” could/can be served is in the way that it will be on judgment day – viz the Imputed Righteousness of Christ Crucified. Justice serves God’s purpose not the other way round.Genesis 6:5-7 illustrates the purpose of God in mankind to mold a people away from their natural estate of wickedness and sin. But wiping out the entire population apart from eight people who met with His standards, – (even though still a sinner) was “just” but in human terms we might perceive it to be somewhat over reaction.Mike; "But He graciously doesn't."= But HE did.Mike; "Where does this grace come from? Out of His incredible love, not His need for justice."= Was the flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the sacking of Jericho, not to mention Achan and his entire family. – love or justice?Mike; "Jesus came down because of love, not justice." = And whose righteousness do we require for whom??
The flood, Sodom, Jericho, all had survivors. Why?
Jesus didn't have to die to atone for the sins of men. Unless He loved them, wanted them to live, and made a way.
Why, you ask? Because the love of God is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost which is given to me. Neither I nor God desires to see him perish!
Mike wrote:It would be a simple matter for God to totally destroy (humanly speaking, for it would be contradictory and out of character for Him to do so against His own creation which He called “very good”) the human race in order to serve the purposes of His justice.
Mike; "But He graciously doesn't."
= But HE did.
Mike; "Where does this grace come from? Out of His incredible love, not His need for justice."
= Was the flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the sacking of Jericho, not to mention Achan and his entire family. – love or justice?
Mike; "Jesus came down because of love, not justice."
= And whose righteousness do we require for whom??
If the church does not expect it, after 2000 years to study with the help of the Holy Spirit, why are we surprised that the lost world has not been warned and now they don't even believe in God, much less the rapture, the judgment, and his glorious appearing..
Thank God I have just returned from warning my city and telling them that Jesus Christ died for them and they can be saved. It was such a blessing to minister to my countrymen and to speak up for my blessed saviour, to pass out tracts, hold up signs, and thunder out the verses that offers hope and mercy and salvation to all who will come to him in repentance and faith.
Oh that we had never had dead calvinism in the world and mormonism, and russellism and the other isms that says men cannot be saved unless they conform to a theological system that is very exclusive to the majority of the world.
Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely! Says God! What a sa
Mike wrote:It would be a simple matter for God to totally destroy (humanly speaking, for it would be contradictory and out of character for Him to do so against His own creation which He called “very good”) the human race in order to serve the purposes of His justice. But He graciously doesn't.Where does this grace come from? Out of His incredible love, not His need for justice. Jesus came down because of love, not justice. "God so loved..." Justice could have been served without the Atonement by destruction of the human race. But love both trumps and triumphs, doesn't it? Justice is served in the severity of the cross, yet justice is not the motive for it. Love is. Jesus did not die in order that His righteous requirement for justice be met, for again that would only require destruction of the race. Instead, He expressed Himself, who is love, on the cross, for the sinner, that he might have life eternal.
Jesus Said:
47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
quote wrote:God said He hated Esau and loved Jacob before ...
for exampleRomans 1128 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience,31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God has committed them all to disobedience, THAT HE MIGHT HAVE MERCY ON ALL.
There is not even the slightest possibility of mercy if God predestinated some to hell before and apart from any sin they might commit as chidren of Adam sinners both by nature and by choice. AND those who would pray for their salvation, such as Paul the apostle would have to be quite out of the will of "this god of total irresistable predestination."
Michael Hranek wrote:..and this "theoolgy of total irresistable predestination" that teaches God hated certain people BEFORE AND APART FROM any sins they have sinned against Him
“BEFORE AND APART FROM any sins they have sinned against Him”
It is not just our actual sins, those that we commit against God but we are also born with a sin nature. Our sin natures are more than enough to render us guilty before God. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Psa 51:5)
You wrote, “ I could interpret it that God forseeing the future of how Esau would live choose Jacob (whose name means scoundrel) but nevertheless who would come to faith AND MADE HIS CHOICE KNOW BEFOREHAND”
As, I said before you are basing it on WORKS by saying that God chose Jacob over Esau because He forsaw how Esau would live and how Jacob would come to faith.
Question is, do they come by their own strength, their own effort or their own power, or does God enable them to come willingly by a work of grace to open their hearts, opening their spiritual eyes and ears through the Holy Spirit?
PS, I'll be out of town for a few days. I'll chat with you later.
quote wrote:Does God love everyone?....
and this "theoolgy of total irresistable predestination" that teaches God hated certain people BEFORE AND APART FROM any sins they have sinned against Him sovereignly choosing that they would be born and live, sovereignly deciding they would have no hope whatsoever of forgivness and salvation, only so He might hate them and damn them to hell forever, such a theoolgy in essence makes God to be cruely dishonest for Scripture is full of example upon example of God warning the wicked to listen to Him to believe Him and to repent and be forgiven and restored to Him. Further such a theology deceives some to imagine they have salvation apart from any personal repentance or faith in Christ trusting their "god" has predestined them.
