A Glimpse Into The Afterlife
- Thread starter Ringo
- Start date
Ringo
A WATCHMAN
Memento Mori - Greg Laurie -
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. -Colossians 3:2
Back in older times, there was a Latin phrase they would write on the top of a document. It was memento mori. It means, "Think of death."
You say, "That is so morbid." It actually is not. It was a reminder to be aware of the fact that life ends. Be aware of the fact that eternity is close. Be aware of the fact that there is an afterlife.
It is not a bad thing to think about these things deeply. In fact, it was C. S. Lewis who said, "A continual looking forward to the eternal world is not . . . a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do." You should think about death, eternity, and the afterlife.
If you are a Christian, you are going to enter heaven in one of two ways: either through death or through the rapture. Either we will die, or the Lord will catch us up to meet Him in the air.
Imagine being part of the rapture. One day you might be walking on the street, thinking about a loved one who has gone to be with the Lord. Maybe you are thinking about your last conversation with them, or wondering what they are experiencing there in heaven. Suddenly, in the twinkling of an eye, you will be with them.
Mothers and fathers reunited with sons and daughters. Husbands reunited with wives. Siblings with siblings. Friends with friends. Your sorrow vanishes and it is replaced by ecstatic joy. Not only are you with your loved one again, but best of all you are with Jesus.
For the Christian, thinking about the afterlife is not a bad thing. It is actually a good thing. So go ahead and think about it. Go ahead and dream about it. Go ahead and wonder about it. It is called being heavenly minded.
“Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
~ C.S. Lewis ~
~ C.S. Lewis ~
SR9
New member
Was present at a event with Franklin Graham yesterday and he makes a very valid point. The answer to America's problem is found right in the book of II Chronicles 7:14,"If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear them from Heaven, and will forgive them and heal their land". It's not rocket science folks. Humble yourself, you are not in charge of this world, God is. Repent of the wrong things you have done and pray, which is the only way of getting God's attention. Stop doing the wicked ( unGodly0 things you do daily. God will hear this and heal our land.
It is just that simple. Franklin Graham said that progressives are atheists. They are the un-Godly ones. The minions of Satan. They must be trampled in the dirt an sent back to Hell where they originate from.
It is just that simple. Franklin Graham said that progressives are atheists. They are the un-Godly ones. The minions of Satan. They must be trampled in the dirt an sent back to Hell where they originate from.
Why do people need to reference a book to know that they should do right instead of wrong?
What does Franklin have to say about all of the un-Godly people that aren't progressives OR Atheists? Do they get to go to heaven because they proclaim to know and love their god while performing all sorts of heinous acts?
SR9
New member
't
They are called sinners, and Jesus died for them so they could be forgiven and join Him in Heaven. But then again you can't or don't read books.
They are called sinners, and Jesus died for them so they could be forgiven and join Him in Heaven. But then again you can't or don't read books.
XD40scinNC
New member
Franklin Graham, the spawn of Billy, paints his bigotry and hatred with a very broad brush.
Ahhh, so if you're conservative and sin, you a re a sinner and go to heaven.
If you are a progressive and sin, you are un-Godly and go to hell?
That would seem in stark contrast to the teachings of Jesus.
Where exactly in the New testament is it specified that he only died for the conservatives and not the progressives?
I read plenty of books, magazines, online texts.
I am currently reading three different novels by three different authors: Clancy, Flynn, Card, along with the periodicals Popular Science, American Handgunner, WatchTime, Stereophile, Blade Magazine, Backpacker, Concealed Carry Magazine. and have read a good 80% of the Bible over the years.
There are not enough hours in the day to do all of the reading I would like.
Nice try.
SR9
New member
That would seem in stark contrast to the teachings of Jesus.
Where exactly in the New testament is it specified that he only died for the conservatives and not the progressives?
Atheist and Un-Godly will not see the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is a reward for the faithful followers. For the Un-Godly there is a eternal burning Hell. Surely you've read that in the Bible, or maybe it's in the 20% you have not read?
Where exactly in the New testament is it specified that he only died for the conservatives and not the progressives?
Atheist and Un-Godly will not see the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is a reward for the faithful followers. For the Un-Godly there is a eternal burning Hell. Surely you've read that in the Bible, or maybe it's in the 20% you have not read?
Ringo
A WATCHMAN
QUESTIONABLE. Only those who are "Born Again" will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, ALL others go to HELL. I guarantee you that anyone VOTING Democrat in support of a women's right to choose to murder her child in her womb, and condoning and promoting homosexual perversion/marriage is NOT "Born Again".
“Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
~ C.S. Lewis ~
~ C.S. Lewis ~
BluesStringer
Les Brers
I believe that voting Republican carries the same guarantee with it because of the precise same issue. Whether Dem or Rep, America has allowed the scourge of abortion to exist, proliferate and grow to genocidal proportions. We have also allowed it to be used as a means of controlling black birth rates. For all the rhetoric, Republicans have actually done no more than Dems to put a stop to it, even with a so-called majority of "conservatives" on the High Court for what? 20 years or more? I don't know, and don't care to look it up, but it has been considered a "conservative" court for long enough to overrule Roe if the will to do it really resided in the Republican or "conservative" movements. Instead, the so-called "conservative" court has made Roe wider-ranging and more deeply-entrenched in "constitutional law," put in quotes because there is no authority granted to the High Court in the Constitution to even touch such an issue.
Romney actually profited from the abortion industry. Conservatives and/or Republicans cannot escape accountability for supporting Romney or any of the other elected phonies in Congress and appointees to the courts. The only hope any truly God-fearing American has is as an individual who lives God's law instead of man's law, which is precisely why I have dropped out of political participation, and am working as hard and as fast as I can to dislodge myself and my wife from any knowable connection to this corrupt and godless government at all.
I'm not saying any of this in disagreement with Ringo's post above, only adding to it so that the non-mention of Republicans and conservatives in his post isn't seen by anyone as stating that only Dem voters will be held accountable for America's transgressions against God. I know that Ringo knows that's not true, and don't believe that's what he meant to imply. He can correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm not expecting that. Whatever, the above is my position on the subject, and I encourage all faithful Christians to consider it for themselves.
Blues
Reba
Sinner saved by grace
God wants His people to be the salt and light of whatever government systems they live under. God tells us that governments are established for providing an orderly society, and that Christians are to pray for their leaders. There's nothing in God's law that prohibits participation in government process. In the past, God has made good use of His people in positions of government power to further His will, such as with Joseph and Daniel. God made use of the "godless" Roman Empire system to further His Gospel to many lands.
XD40scinNC
New member
WOW, talk about off the deep-end fantasy delusional nonsense...... afterlife decided by how you vote......... that is so completely FUBAR
Ringo
A WATCHMAN
So that there is no misunderstanding of my position on the matter of politics and the word of God pertaining to the matter of the murdering (ABORTION) of children , and the support and promotion of homosexual perversion/marriage, and going to HELL, I say this as clear as I possibly can..."Only those who are Born Again will enter the kingdom of Heaven, ALL Others will go to Hell, period. One being TRULY Born Again and filled with the Holy Spirit would not under any circumstances willfully support, condone or promote the murdering (ABORTION) of children in any way, shape or form or support, condone, or promote homosexual perversion/marriage, in any way, shape or form, period. Neither would any Born Again Believer willfully support, condone, promote or be in any way, shape or form connected with, aligned with, linked with, attached to, tied with, relationship with, fellowship with, or partnership with any organization supporting, condoning, or promoting the EVIL of the murdering (ABORTION) of children , and the support and promotion of homosexual perversion/marriage, period. God doesn't compromise. God doesn't say LETS MAKE A DEAL, God says THIS IS THE DEAL, period.
Remember this when you VOTE..."Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them".
Remember this when you VOTE..."Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them".
“Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
~ C.S. Lewis ~
~ C.S. Lewis ~
Ringo
A WATCHMAN
And as is the usual, from the wasted mind of one who's only hope is that there is no afterlife and his greatest fear is that there IS.
~ Everyone In HELL Is A Believer, It's Just Too Late...FOREVER ~
XD40scinNC
New member
How sad, all you can offer to defend your views is irrational fears of your imaginary sky daddy.
Your thought process (I'm being kind, by assuming you have one) means you must also fear that Santa will leave lumps of coal in your stocking if you don't behave. Same concept, just different fictional critters.
BluesStringer
Les Brers
I've tried this before and know that it's quite possible you'll read a line or three before finding something that doesn't agree with your preconceived understandings of scripture, but I offer this in reply nonetheless that you, or anyone else who might benefit from it, might find Bible-sourced Truth within it:
Link Removed speaks of the principle conflict between God's way and man's foolishness.
That sub-section is from a larger treatise on all things having to do with God's law and man's responsibility to ensure that it is only that that he serves, especially when there's any conflict or questions about how man's law comports with It. A friend and mentor sent me a link to it several years ago, which he Titled, "Writings From The Ekklesia," but which the page Title listing the various chapters appears to be, "Link RemovedLink Removed."
I didn't say that "participation" in government is "prohibited," but I contend that likewise there is nothing mandating participation either. I would say when speaking in specific terms about evil though, that we are to engage our God-given powers of discernment and not participate in that which we have discerned to be evil, whether government-sourced or otherwise. Certainly we are to be able to make such conclusions consistent with scripture, which I'm happy to do, but the links above do that many times anyway, and I'm responding to your post the same way you offered it - as a general summary sans any Biblical citations to support the opinions expressed in the summary.
Happy reading or happy dismissing, whichever you choose to do with it.
Blues
BluesStringer
Les Brers
I am not trying to hammer you by giving two replies to the same post, rather, I recalled that I had bookmarked a post that cursorily encapsulates the long and arduous reading of the links I previously posted. Most Christians will recoil at this as it flies in the face of the Romans 13s, render unto Caesars and whatnot that what I believe are misreadings, transliterations and manipulations of the earliest Biblical texts foists upon an unsuspecting, but nonetheless responsible for understanding, Church. This post was made recently by the same mentor who gave me the links above:
In another thread, the point was recently (today) brought to light that the US is a bankrupt entity, in receivership.
Allow me to point out that the "US" is a corporation, not a country.
Allow me to point out that "citizenship" in that corporation is not a requirement, to live and function lawfully within the geographical boundaries of any of the "united states", but actually a privileged and therefore compromised status, under the law. To partake of "US citizenship", by law, all God-given rights must be rendered unto Caesar, in exchange for his 14th amendment privileges. One of those privileges is an opportunity to express an opinion in US voting polls, a privilege which requires the swearing of an oath, in open defiance of Matthew 5:34 and James 5:12, for those interested in Biblical perspective, i.e. the commandments of Christ, i.e. the will of the Father......
Another privilege enjoyed by US citizens is the opportunity to become surety for the US corporate debts, i.e.....party to the bankruptcy.
Maybe a Bible study would be in order, and we could see how some of the local scripture interference gurus herein might spin the likes of Proverbs 11:15, 6:1-5, 17:18, 22:26-27, and the related passages which clearly warn against the folly of becoming surety for debts, let alone selling out your children and grandchildren for the same end.
Then we might talk about what happened to King David, when he enumerated the people.
Meanwhile, suffice it to say that no one who calls himself a follower of Christ has any standing to choose US citizenship, render his God-given rights, his God-given children, nor his God-given resources to Caesar, nor to exercise his will over his neighbor with a vote in a the machinations of a wholly corrupt and ungodly demagoguery/civil construct that has its very roots and underpinnings in Satan's servant, Nimrod, one of the first on earth to create a central government whereby the few could profit from the many, by consent......leaving no need for faith in the Creator......
Babylon followed, then Egypt, Rome, Britain......and now the US is the center of Satan's enduring one world government.....not America, mind you, the US. And America is all but empty for the pied piper has come through and enticed them, almost all, into that 10 square mile enclave, where constitutional rights and protections do not apply to the commoner, and the president is god.
Be sure to cast your corporate US opinion, come November.
Be sure your oath of fealty on that voter registration card is current.
Satan needs the consent of the people for his power to stay strong, on earth.
Allow me to point out that the "US" is a corporation, not a country.
Allow me to point out that "citizenship" in that corporation is not a requirement, to live and function lawfully within the geographical boundaries of any of the "united states", but actually a privileged and therefore compromised status, under the law. To partake of "US citizenship", by law, all God-given rights must be rendered unto Caesar, in exchange for his 14th amendment privileges. One of those privileges is an opportunity to express an opinion in US voting polls, a privilege which requires the swearing of an oath, in open defiance of Matthew 5:34 and James 5:12, for those interested in Biblical perspective, i.e. the commandments of Christ, i.e. the will of the Father......
Another privilege enjoyed by US citizens is the opportunity to become surety for the US corporate debts, i.e.....party to the bankruptcy.
Maybe a Bible study would be in order, and we could see how some of the local scripture interference gurus herein might spin the likes of Proverbs 11:15, 6:1-5, 17:18, 22:26-27, and the related passages which clearly warn against the folly of becoming surety for debts, let alone selling out your children and grandchildren for the same end.
Then we might talk about what happened to King David, when he enumerated the people.
Meanwhile, suffice it to say that no one who calls himself a follower of Christ has any standing to choose US citizenship, render his God-given rights, his God-given children, nor his God-given resources to Caesar, nor to exercise his will over his neighbor with a vote in a the machinations of a wholly corrupt and ungodly demagoguery/civil construct that has its very roots and underpinnings in Satan's servant, Nimrod, one of the first on earth to create a central government whereby the few could profit from the many, by consent......leaving no need for faith in the Creator......
Babylon followed, then Egypt, Rome, Britain......and now the US is the center of Satan's enduring one world government.....not America, mind you, the US. And America is all but empty for the pied piper has come through and enticed them, almost all, into that 10 square mile enclave, where constitutional rights and protections do not apply to the commoner, and the president is god.
Be sure to cast your corporate US opinion, come November.
Be sure your oath of fealty on that voter registration card is current.
Satan needs the consent of the people for his power to stay strong, on earth.
If it sounds a bit sarcastic and/or harsh, it's important to understand that many posts had been made by this man that were variously ignored, dismissed, ridiculed and otherwise disregarded, and in-context to the long discussion preceding it, he was getting tired and impatient with the lack of seriousness given to his many well-reasoned posts. This was on a forum mostly populated by Christians, and in a thread where everyone was presenting their views on this election cycle from a Christian perspective. The author of the above post was simply offering a Biblical view outside the mainstream of Christian thought, and as-is typical, was excoriated for it. The above was quite mild in comparison to the trash-talk from other Christians he was responding to. I personally, am measuring both these responses so as not to come off aggressive, dismissive or even critical of the post I'm replying to, though obviously, I do not agree with what I perceive its intended message to be, and could not adopt the thoughts expressed within it as my own.
Blues
Reba
Sinner saved by grace
I looked thru your link but I can't find any information about the man who wrote that page, or any statement of faith for the website. I'm not putting my faith into a website that I don't know anything about.
Yes, some of the things I did read conflicted with biblical facts.
I don't want to get personal or make you defensive but I find these writings (not just a line or two; I read more) to be agenda driven and not in a biblical way.
If you want some citations of faithful believers who worked "within the system" of ungodly governments while maintaining their godly lives:
The book of Daniel is an excellent example of a man who remained godly while living in a society and government that was far from God.
Daniel 1:8-17
Daniel 6:1-28
Also, his fellow believers:
Daniel 3:8-30
Then there was Joseph who lived as a slave but rose in power under the Pharaoh of Egypt, all while trusting in the God of his fathers.
Genesis 39:1-46:4
The faithfulness of Nehemiah to God while he was servant to a heathen king. God used him in a great way.
Nehemiah 2 (really, the whole book)
I'm not "happy" about reading distortions of God's Word, and it doesn't make me "happy" to dismiss them. This is serious stuff.
Reba
Sinner saved by grace
No problem.
Sorry, I have to repeat, I don't know your mentor.
None of what you mentioned is a commandment to live outside of government.
OK.
Yet, Paul invoked his rights as a Roman citizen:
Acts 22:24-29
What?
No, Satan doesn't need the consent of the people to do anything.
Pride is a weakness of man, and apparently this man isn't exempt from it.
But we are here at this forum, on this topic. The scriptures speak for themselves for those who will listen.
