God & the Bible, squaring belief with reality

[Ringo]

Sguaring Belief With Reality-Present Day

The Battle Of Gog And Magog​

I have long believed that if the United States ever abandons Israel, the United States is through as a nation. Well, it looks like it has happened, or at the very least, it is close to happening. Because Israel will be burning the weapons of this war for 7 years, I believe that the Battle of Gog and Magog will be before the Tribulation Period. And, although no one knows the day or the hour of the Rapture, I believe that the Battle of Gog and Magog could be at, or about, the same time as the Rapture.

Although we should not be dogmatic, it looks like the Bible teaches that England, the United States and others will not help Israel during the Battle of Gog and Magog. Ezekiel 38:13 reads, “Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?” Not all agree, but many identify the merchants of Tarshish as England and many believe the young lions are those nations that came into being out of England such as the United States, Canada and Australia. Whoever these self-righteous pretenders are they will question Russia’s invasion, but they won’t lift a finger to help tiny Israel.

Now, having said this, l"ll get to the point: Pres. Obama and Vladimir Putin have reached an agreement. Russia has pulled her troops out of Syria and notified Syria and Iran that they will receive no more weapons after existing orders are filled. In return, the U.S. has advised Israel that she is on her own and will not receive American help if she attacks Iran’s nuclear reactor and Iran counterattacks Israel. If Israel attacks Iran’s nuclear reactor and, in response, Russia, Iran and others attack Israel at the Battle of Gog and Magog, it is the view of the United States that Israel will be on her own. Wrong! The attitude of the United States may bring God’s judgment on America, but Israel doesn’t need America’s help. God and the archangel Michael have Israel’s back (Daniel 12:1). God will magnify and sanctify Himself in the eyes of the world and many people will get saved (Ezekiel 38:23). What does Israel need:Only God, grave diggers and fire equipment (Ezekiel 39:9, 12)?

 

[Ringo]

The Parasitic Athiest

As long as there have been people who believe in God, there have been those who take the opposing view. The ranks of atheists have always been small, never amounting to any more than 4 percent of the population. Lately, things have not been going so well for atheists. Books on atheism have faded like a passing fad. Interest in conferences is down. The National Atheist Party has just cancelled its secular convention for 2012 due to a lack of funding.

The new atheists thrive by being a parasite on Christianity. They have no religion of their own, so the sole purpose of their existence revolves around attacking the validity of the Holy Bible. They mostly target the shortcomings of individuals. Unlike with a professional movie critic, from whom you can expect a few positive remarks for even the worst movies ever made, atheists are only able to issue negative commentary. Atheists operate much like chickens. As long as they have plenty of food, they will get along with each other. You deprive them of this requirement, and they will peck each other to death and turn into cannibals. A common refrain I get from godless people is that they can't wait until we Christians are gone. What they don't realize is that once we are gone, they will intellectually starve. My only hope is that this hunger will cause them to seek the true Source of life.

"Jesus said unto her, I am the Resurrection, and the Life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25).

"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life" (1 John 5:11-12).

 

[maine04619]

There is the Old Testament and the New Testament. Read them both thoroughly, study them both thoroughly, then you won't have to keep asking such foolish questions.

Ok then I will play let us stick to just the NEW testament. Slavery Colossians 4:1 , 1 Timothy 6:1-3 , Mark 14:66 , Matthew 18:25. Women 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, Ephesians 5:22-24, 1 Timothy 2:11-15, 1 Peter 3:7. Now I ask again providing you with chapter and verse out of the NEW TESTAMENT do you really follow the word of god as written? Does your wife act her place? Do you have slaves? Do you think owning slaves is ok? You must because your god says it is ok. I can give you more citations if you desire.

 

[Farmhood]

LOL. Those that warn about going to hell are those that have the most to worry about.

So if someone warns of an event and prepares....(pick event...maybe air traffic controllers) that someone has the most to worry about Ay...not the warned or unprepared. Interesting concept.

 

[Farmhood]

There is the Old Testament and the New Testament. Read them both thoroughly, study them both thoroughly, then you won't have to keep asking such foolish questions.

Ok then I will play let us stick to just the NEW testament. Slavery Colossians 4:1 , 1 Timothy 6:1-3 , Mark 14:66 , Matthew 18:25. Women 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, Ephesians 5:22-24, 1 Timothy 2:11-15, 1 Peter 3:7. Now I ask again providing you with chapter and verse out of the NEW TESTAMENT do you really follow the word of god as written? Does your wife act her place? Do you have slaves? Do you think owning slaves is ok? You must because your god says it is ok. I can give you more citations if you desire.

Slow your pony down a little bit...it's kinda clear what you are up to...if you are looking for healthy debate and knowledge work on one item at a time...what do you think?

 

[Farmhood]

i've been to hell and back heheh as well the heavens ... i learned alot from the experiences and will continue visiting more hellish hells and higher heavens as time goes on i reckon

ee that's scary... You are not like...Beelzebub or nothing like that...are you? Just askin

 

[Farmhood]

Because they were written for a generation that has been gone for several thousand years, in a language that has been interpreted numerous times. Words have been inserted that may not have the same meaning today as they did when originally written and/or inserted to fit the agenda of the interpreter. America and the world we know today didn't exist at the time these prophecies where written and would mean nothing to the generation of the time. Knowing the past as we do gives the armchair quarterbacks of today the fuel they need to justify their prediction. Just my opinion. leasantry:

If god is who he/ she is then why would he have a book wrote in a manner to be unfamiliar to those who would need to understand the most IE those in the future when he has already decided what will happen? Once again logic takes the back seat on the faith bus.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Romans 8: 14
How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Galatians 3: 3

 

[maine04619]

Slow your pony down a little bit...it's kinda clear what you are up to...if you are looking for healthy debate and knowledge work on one item at a time...what do you think?

I am up to exactly what the thread stated god VS reality. I am a supporter of the latter. My point is you want faith great have it in YOURSELF. If your going to trust your faith to a book wrote by men a couple thousand years ago then have at it. Ask yourself this one very important question though IF god is in fact all knowing all seeing then why did he have so many do overs? Why did he not send down form heaven a book already finished with EXACTLY what he wanted to say. Knowing the flaws of humans telling a story here and there to different people and expecting them to write it down then have a third group or person put the stories together into one complete book of rules and tales IMHO ( and every person who has a message to get out ) would be one of the worst possible way to relay a message of any type. Then the simple fact that 99+ percent of folks who say they believe in god and that the bible is his word do not know what it says and even fewer live by what it actually says. Of course this brings us to the last bit facts even those from the book they tell you is the word of god and there light are ignored and twisted or more often simply ignored and faith takes over even when the scripture itself is put in front of them they can explain why they do not follow it with faith. If this is the case then why have the book at all?

 

[Ringo]

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

— 2 Timothy 3:16

I am amazed at how people will get all worked up over something like the Mayan calendar or will listen to some self-proclaimed prophet or guru, yet they will neglect the Bible, which predicts the future not once, not twice, but hundreds of times with 100 percent accuracy. God, living in eternity, does not have a yesterday or a tomorrow. It is all a continuum to Him. So God can look at the future with as much accuracy as you and I can look at the past—even more so, in fact. God has perfect recollection, and He has perfect foresight. So when He says something will happen, it's as though, in one sense, it has already happened. You see, tomorrow is like yesterday to God. So when God gives a prediction about the future, it is not as though He is going out on some kind of limb. It is already an established fact.

The Bible is a book that dares to predict the future many times over. No other religious book does that. Why? Because if it did, it would prove that it was not inspired. But the Bible makes predictions again and again, because it is indeed inspired. The basic test of the true God and the true faith and the true prophet is they can predict the future. The Bible does all of that and more. In fact, it is worth noting that two-thirds of the Bible is prophecy and one-half of these prophecies have already taken place. Therefore, if half of them have happened as God said they would, then I have no reason to doubt that the remaining prophecies will unfold exactly as God has said.

When God predicts the future, you can take it to the bank. It is as good as done.

 

[tcox4freedom]

Because God doesn't predict; He "KNOWS" the end from the beginning.

 

[Farmhood]

I am up to exactly what the thread stated god VS reality. I am a supporter of the latter. My point is you want faith great have it in YOURSELF. If your going to trust your faith to a book wrote by men a couple thousand years ago then have at it. Ask yourself this one very important question though IF god is in fact all knowing all seeing then why did he have so many do overs? Why did he not send down form heaven a book already finished with EXACTLY what he wanted to say. Knowing the flaws of humans telling a story here and there to different people and expecting them to write it down then have a third group or person put the stories together into one complete book of rules and tales IMHO ( and every person who has a message to get out ) would be one of the worst possible way to relay a message of any type. Then the simple fact that 99+ percent of folks who say they believe in god and that the bible is his word do not know what it says and even fewer live by what it actually says. Of course this brings us to the last bit facts even those from the book they tell you is the word of god and there light are ignored and twisted or more often simply ignored and faith takes over even when the scripture itself is put in front of them they can explain why they do not follow it with faith. If this is the case then why have the book at all?

Come on man! You spend a lot of time talking about MY faith. Talking about what I believe. Picking at my foundation.
Notice I'm not picking you apart?

Explain what your foundation is?

I know what I believe. I know my foundation.
Hebrews 6:
4 For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit,
5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—
6 and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.

7 When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing.
8 But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it.

9 Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation.
10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.
11 Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.
12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.

God’s Promises Bring Hope

13 For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying:

14 “I will certainly bless you,and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”
15 Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.

16 Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding.
17 God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind.
18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.
19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

 

[Farmhood]

We the people of Maine, in order to establish justice, insure tranquility, provide for our mutual defense, promote our common welfare, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of liberty, acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity, so favorable to the design; and, imploring God's aid and direction in its accomplishment, do agree to form ourselves into a free and independent State, by the style and title of the State of Maine and do ordain and establish the following Constitution for the government of the same."

 

[eagleeyes]

 

[Farmhood]

Originally Posted by PestControl02
yeah..good stuff.

I consider my faith solid, what I'm not seeing is it's collective manifestation in reality...like talk is cheap..anyone can say they love God, but it seems so few actually practice their faith as a lifestyle
not saying im some kind of saint or better than anyone else.
but- I can see that theres a massive divide, even though we have multiple common interests, by joining in these common interests instead of opposing everything and everybody.

Take homosexuality as an example, to me it's clear that it's not normal, I don't need the Bible to tell me that...lol..I can however respect an individuals right to choose their own particular brand of happiness (especially as an American), and I can also respect the individual as a human being (love my neighbor).

Isn't the common interest(individual rights) and the human being more important than a specific behavior?

it's a divide we could close by putting our beliefs into reality and thereby strengthening ourselves and those around us.

not sure if that makes any sense but- it's what I'm thinking.

And my thanks to all for the comments, It is encouraging.

From Wikipedia: "No species has been found in which homosexual behaviour has not been shown to exist, with the exception of species that never have sex at all, such as sea urchins and aphis. Moreover, a part of the animal kingdom is hermaphroditic, truly bisexual. For them, homosexuality is not an issue"

When you say that homosexuality is not normal, are you just meaning that because the majority don't behave that way then it is not part of the norm, or are you attempting to suggest that it is unnatural?

So...Wikipedia is the book you follow?

Greggatshack If you listen to someone else's version of it you will surely get it wrong

The majority has nothing to do with it...things are made for a purpose and when you pervert the thing and purpose...well close your eyes and visualize...it will never work out.

Dad was a simple man, a farmer, a practical man of the earth. My Father grew things...for a purpose. Now one day concerning things of which you speak he explained that all things have their intended function. He handed me a nut and a bolt and described how they were used to build things. Dad took the bolt away and handed me another nut. And so it was I tapped them together and made different sounds to amuse myself (we had no electricity on the farm) soon I started rubbing them to make them shine but I could never build or accomplish anything with them…I became bored. Upon taking them back to my Dad, He said son they will never be anything more than... two nuts.

James 1:
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;
24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

 

[maine04619]

Come on man! You spend a lot of time talking about MY faith. Talking about what I believe. Picking at my foundation. Notice I'm not picking you apart? Explain what your foundation is?

You right I am picking it apart so well all my citing of chapter and verse have been ignored. So please tell me "if god can not lie" do you fore your wife to be beneath you? Do you own or approve of slaves? Answer those and I can give you plenty more of scripture you are ignoring in your life. What do I believe REALITY I know there where dinosaurs and they go back FAR beyond the age of the earth according to the bible. I know that Jesus was NOT white. I know that he was NOT hung on the cross with nails through his palms and one through both feet in front. How do I know well I have proof. Thus the crux of the issue those with FAITH ignore all facts. Thus REALITY vs god. The truer question would be reality vs faith. The fact that the largest church in the world condones and supports the portrayal of god son as the wrong color does not speak volumes to you is amazing. If the child of god himself can not be portrayed correctly how can you take any of seriously. You want to be a believer that is your right but when you stick it out there in front of those who are more inclined to go with reality and facts over faith your going to get torn apart every time. Thus again falling on the sword of faith..

 

[Ringo]

I've said in an earlier post that I am not a follower.





If, instead, you understand that the sex act has a much wider scope for humans (and in some animal species), and that it can be used in companionship and bonding of people who are not necessarily inclined to have children or who are not attracted to members of the opposite sex (or for example prisoners who may for the time being not have the opposite sex available to them) - then you are on a path of greater understanding.

Sometimes simple explanations serve only to deceive.

Or if you like (since quotes from the Bible abound on this thread):

Romans 16:18
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

When read in it's full text (Romans 16:17-19) the person to watch out for is one such as yourself.

. 17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. 19 But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong.

 

[Ringo]

You right I am picking it apart so well all my citing of chapter and verse have been ignored.

The only thing you're picking apart so well is your nose.:to_pick_ones_nose3: Of course you're being ignored, you're questions and statements are so ridiculous and childish that they don't merit place, period.:wacko:

 

[Farmhood]

Greggatshack;354576]I've said in an earlier post that I am not a follower. The way you have phrased the question indicates (to me) that you are trying to make an assumption about me. Making assumptions can be dangerous if you are in pursuit of the truth.

No assumption...just went hmmmm...believes in Wikipedia as the purveyors of truth

Wikipedia is nothing more than a tool with which I can reference an item of knowledge that I personally discovered more than 40 years ago (long before the Internet and Wikipedia!), and present it to the readers of this thread. I could have simply written the words without attributing it to a Wiki but in this case I chose to do so as that is the honest thing to do.

Well that is a nice little homily...

Thanks, I think... I have never realized my life story could be called a homily. I have always known it was my testimony or journey.

but as you stated, your Dad was a simple man, he may not have been able to see the big picture.

Yes...please...He was a farmer, a practical man, helped thousands and fed tens of thousands. His big picture was not hard to understand. He was never on a path to greater human understanding. People need food...He helped.

If, instead, you understand that the sex act has a much wider scope for humans (and in some animal species), and that it can be used in companionship and bonding of people who are not necessarily inclined to have children or who are not attracted to members of the opposite sex (or for example prisoners who may for the time being not have the opposite sex available to them) - then you are on a path of greater understanding.

I see what you believe...so we just believe different. I accept as true... God made sex and it’s enjoyment for a purpose. (with the opposite sex) The fact that folks would consider sexual pleasure from any person, crevice or animal seems deviant. Our dogs were our pets our friends and companions not partners.

With all due respect...without Jesus you have described part of Bubbas problem.

 

[Farmhood]

You right I am picking it apart so well all my citing of chapter and verse have been ignored. So please tell me "if god can not lie" do you fore your wife to be beneath you? Do you own or approve of slaves? Answer those and I can give you plenty more of scripture you are ignoring in your life. What do I believe REALITY I know there where dinosaurs and they go back FAR beyond the age of the earth according to the bible. I know that Jesus was NOT white. I know that he was NOT hung on the cross with nails through his palms and one through both feet in front. How do I know well I have proof. Thus the crux of the issue those with FAITH ignore all facts. Thus REALITY vs god. The truer question would be reality vs faith. The fact that the largest church in the world condones and supports the portrayal of god son as the wrong color does not speak volumes to you is amazing. If the child of god himself can not be portrayed correctly how can you take any of seriously. You want to be a believer that is your right but when you stick it out there in front of those who are more inclined to go with reality and facts over faith your going to get torn apart every time. Thus again falling on the sword of faith..

OK...so your foundation in life is your reality.
The first thing pops in my head is what happens when reality comes to an end? You know what I mean… this life.

The rest of your post is about the religious stuff that has connections to my faith. Please remember I am talking about my relationship with Jesus Christ not religion.

I will look into these things you bring up, but I must confess I am a lot like you.

For instance I believe Jesus was a Jew…so I guess he would look like a Jew. If I were making a picture of Jesus I would portray it looking like how I think a Jew looks.

Probably would have disagreement.
Probably get in trouble with the racial brain freeze stuff going on today. But in time I will investigate.

Please let me know…do you have questions…as I do about JFK? I know he was here. I know what he accomplished. Curious about the whole….how many were involved thing!

 

[Farmhood]

Greggatshack;354698]
assumption[ uh-suhmp-shuh n] noun
1.something taken for granted; a supposition: a correct assumption.
LOL. I beg you to reexamine your statement above and compare it with what an assumption is.

Hey... you're a sharp guy...You brought up the thing about assuming and I was just saying I was not.

Do I also detect a touch of sarcasm in your characterization of Wikipedia as the purveyors of truth?

Come on now...if I make a comment thinking you are assuming you are going to correct me if I use it wrong. No Sarcasm about Wikipedia.

Truth doesn't get purveyed, truth gets detected. I am a detector of truth. You can purvey statements. They can be truth or lies or opinion. Wikipedia is simply an encyclopedia - nothing more, nothing less. It is probably the fastest growing and by now the biggest encyclopedia in the world. It is certainly the most accessible. It is a huge repository of information - some plainly factual, some probably suspect (no different to any other human endeavour). A term we use in my country - Tall Poppy Syndrome probably comes to play when people, jealous or suspicious of Wikipedia's growth try to give it less credence than it deserves.

Just using purveyor the same as supply or provide (synonym) similar to how I look at The Bible to provide. I enjoyed the spirited debate until it was reduced to….well this.

Thank you for the “Tall Poppy Syndrome” reference:

Prior to becoming British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher explained her philosophy to an American audience as "let your poppies grow tall". As the "tall poppies" phrase and concept is virtually unknown in American popular culture, it's unlikely that many who heard Thatcher's remarks understood the reference.

Just lost me there. Just who is Bubba and what was his problem again? If it was one of the posters was that his actual alias?

In American culture Bubba is your new husband in prison. There ain't no two daddies (please forgive the slang)