Hello Godstrust, Let me take a moment to Thank You sincerely for your service in the Army. I'm a veteran of Coast Guard service myself.

As to the subject of bible study. I firmly believe in a "higher power" or "creator" if you prefer. My big problem with the organized religions is that they are all somebody's rehashed opinion of what "God's word" actually says. Not to pick on Catholics necessarily but, if I want to talk to my higher power, I can do it in person. I don't need some goofball with his collar turned backwards to interpret it for me. Again to the bible, which one? From what I have read there are something like 12 different versions of that tome. Which one am I to believe?

Supposedly Christianity, Judaism and, Islam are all based on the same foundations. Which one has the correct interpretation of the "word of God"? My eternal destiny is not something I have much control over. Is it determined by how much I put in the collection plate on Sunday. If so, I'm in deep doo-doo, lol! Thanks for a fine topic.

-- Edited by AffectionateKat on Wednesday 12th of November 2014 09:51:37 PM

Hello Godtrust and AffectionateKat: As to which Bible and which version of which religion, Jesus is quoted to have said, "To what will we liken the kingdom? Is like unto three measures of meal which a woman took and hid leaven til the whole [three measures] was leavened." If a measure of meal is a sacred scripture (either the KJV, and or the BOM); then Judaism, Christianity and Mormonism are all in deep doodoo because it says that all of their sacred scriptures have been added to. In addition to pointing out our predicament, did Jesus also point out a solution? Yes, when he said, "Let every word be established in the mouth of two or three witnesses." If a witness is taken to be an author of a book in the KJV or the author of the entire BOM taken as one book, then if two authors wrote the same words, then they are established to be unleavened words. If only one author, then they are words of leaven. Although this rule is simple in principle, it is tedious to implement. The results are nevertheless worth the effort because the results are leaven-free. Although many things remain the same, some are more clear. For instance, gone are the shepherds in the field, the three wise men and their gifts, the birth in the manger, and the slaughter of all male babies at and below the age of 2. Remaining are some of the miracles, the betrayal, the crucifixion and the resurrection. Regardless of the benefit of no-leaven, some people just will not take advantage of the way to get rid of it. Oh well.

Thank you too for your service!

Here is my belief and it is based solely on the Bible, the perfect God inspired instructional manual for life.  A person either accepts that Jesus died for our sins (EVERYONE'S SINS) or you do not. It is NOT about Religion.  Religion is an outward display of a belief - putting money in the collection plate, helping a neighbor, going to church, being nice to people.....That is different than having a day-to-day relationship with the Living Christ who is our Savior.  Christ came to this world to die and his blood covers all of our sins.  And I mean it covers even the very, very bad sins like rape and murder (if a person is a true believer than they won't do these things as if they are in fellowship with God they will know his Word and know what he wants us to act like).  Upon accepting Christ as your personal Savior the Holy Spirit (see the book of Acts) comes to reside in your heart and you will be saved. So there should be no doubt about it once that happens - you are Saved by His Grace and if you believe that and have confessed with your mouth that you are a sinner and need a Savior then the Bible says you shall be saved.  The Bible says that "ALL have fallen short of the glory of God".  So that means everyone sins!  A bad thought could be a sin for example.  I would challenge you to read the Bible and try and find a church that is actually preaching the word of God and go to it.  Everyone in the church is a sinner so don't feel uncomfortable:)  A good, true man of God will say, "test everything I say with the word of God".  If they don't say that than they might not even be a Christian themselves!  There are many, many false teachers, bad churches and spiritual beliefs that are not true.  In fact, sin and Satan would love for everyone to attend those churches and believe those false doctrines.  God loved us SO much that he gave his Son for our sins!  Christ rose from the dead so he is ALIVE and at the right hand of the Father.  When the Holy Spirit comes to live inside you your EYES will be open and you will be able to understand God's message better and His Holy word.  His Book clearly tells us how to come to Faith and how to ensure our eternal destiny with Him. It is up to US to decide what we believe and if we want to spend it with Him or without Him.

 

 

I agree - Life is valuable and fleeting!  God gave us a purpose and if we look to Him, He will help us to find it!  I've been blessed to have a great Pastor who preached the word of God as it appears in the Bible. 

It does really appear to be the end times when God raptures the believers in Jesus Christ (Rapture = swept away to Heaven). Satan is on his last hurrah as he knows his time is short.  God WILL triumph and conquer sin and death.  And as the Bible says, "EVERY KNEE shall bow".  That means those of us who believe in him and even those who don't.  After the Rapture there will be the 7 years of the Tribulation (book of Revelation) where it will get even worse than it is now.  The dreaded unholy trinity will appear - the false prophet, the anti-Christ, and Satan.  The anti-Christ will be mortally wounded but then survive.  Many, many will be tricked into believing he is a Savior and will take the mark of the beast (on the forehead or hand probably). He will rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and then destroy it later.  There will be unprecedented violence, natural  disasters, famine, suffering and death.

Look at our society now with so many very unhappy people.  The sense of isolation that social media has perpetuated, the increase in loneliness, and suicide.  Addictions like heroin, opioids, meth, the list goes on and one.  The increase in violence and the lack of morals.  The hatred of our country that is so evident now.  Everyone is trying to find MEANING in life, however most are looking in the WRONG place.  Pleasure, money, drugs, a nice home, wonderful vacations, friends, relationships, a perfect job.....none of this will provide true meaning to someone's life.  Only God can!

After the Tribulation Jesus will come back as a KING and He will conquer evil and Satan!  The believers will live with him in peace and love with the absence of sin.  The non-believers will unfortunately be permanently separated from God.