I miss the days ...

[Bob Estey]

I think many persons don't know what's going on.

But this thread should be a little more lighthearted....
Maybe it should have been in the fellowship forum.....

I miss those days when I used to read something
and REMEMBER what I read !

The Bible teaches us that Satan rules the world (1 John 5:19). Is there a lighthearted way to phrase that?

 

[GodsGrace]

The Bible teaches us that Satan rules the world (1 John 5:19). Is there a lighthearted way to phrase that?

No.
But I guess I misunderstood the OP.

So, let's get serious.

People don't want a god.
They want to do whatever they want to....
and today they're being told that it's OK because there is no God to judge them.

Since there's no God in heaven,
and no longer any authority on earth,
thus - absolutely no consequence to any of their actions.

WHY shouldn't they do whatever they want to do?
If this life is all we have, let's eat, drink and be merry...
no consequence to the soul.

Once there were atheists.
Not so bad.
At least they had morals.

They have removed morality from the pix.
Now we have persons that go beyond atheism....
they have NO MORALS.

Some atheists are sorry about the condition they've caused.
Guess they didn't see it coming.
Too late.

And nothing to replace morality with.
Dark future ahead.
Dawkins and Harris have acknowledged this truth.
Too late.

 

[Biblepaige]

I didn't know there was more than one.

The world is not Christian Monotheistic.

 

[Bob Estey]

The world is not Christian Monotheistic.

I think there is only one kingdom of heaven.

 

[rockytopva]

Our pastor was an evangelist turned pastor. Back when he was pastor he would have church on Sunday mornings, evenings, Wednesday nights, and Saturday night prayer meetings. As an ex-evangelist he was also very good at finding evangelist for revivals. There was an anointing oil bottle on the pulpit used at least once a week and the services consisted of...

1. Opening Prayer
2. Song
3. Prayer - Inviting folk up to be prayed for
4. Song
5. Sermon
6. Altar service
7. Closing prayer

Those were some of the most finest years in my life. Back in those days I actually felt the Holy Spirit inside of me very pleasantly. I thought to myself…. Oh my! I am going to stay in revival with these people until Gabriel sounds his trumpet and calls us all home. It has been very disappointing to me to see the church go from good to bad. I find that once a denomination runs up on a hundred years these type trends become quite common. And when people learn to be idle they fall in all kinds of bad character traits. Especially gossip.

 

[Taken]

I miss the days ...


When “normal” was striving to be “pleasing” in Gods eyes...rather than people trying to “impress” people they neither know or like.

 

[Biblepaige]

I think there is only one kingdom of heaven.

Agreed. However,that too is not exclusive thought.

 

[Bob Estey]

Agreed. However,that too is not exclusive thought.

Yes, anyone can repent and pass through the gate (Matthew 4:17).

 

[Aunty Jane]

I didn't know there was more than one.

2 Peter 3:13....
“But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.”

This is not speaking about a new planet in a new universe, because there is nothing wrong with God’s original creation....it was perfect...the problem started with a rebellion that began in heaven and in turn affected the inhabitants of the earth, who defected from God and turned this world into one that God never intended for his human children.....the abuse of free will plunged both realms into a situation that God had to rectify, whilst keeping free will as the precious gift he intended it to be. He was masterful in how he addressed the situation.....turning the rebellion into a test of loyalty for his children in both realms.

The “new heavens” are the ruling authority that God purposes to govern mankind on earth for 1000 years, and to deal with sin and death, eliminating them forever.

The Jews knew that God was in heaven but his rulership was over the earth. So a new heavenly government (God’s Kingdom) would bring redeemed mankind back to God’s original purpose...to have mortal beings living on earth in paradise conditions forever, taking care of all the things God had made to live here with us.....and to take care of the earth itself, which we can see now, they have all but ruined, through their greed and selfishness. God will step in...and in his anger he will destroy the destroyers. (Rev 11:18)

 

[Bob Estey]

2 Peter 3:13....
“But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.”

This is not speaking about a new planet in a new universe, because there is nothing wrong with God’s original creation....it was perfect...the problem started with a rebellion that began in heaven and in turn affected the inhabitants of the earth, who defected from God and turned this world into one that God never intended for his human children.....the abuse of free will plunged both realms into a situation that God had to rectify, whilst keeping free will as the precious gift he intended it to be. He was masterful in how he addressed the situation.....turning the rebellion into a test of loyalty for his children in both realms.

The “new heavens” are the ruling authority that God purposes to govern mankind on earth for 1000 years, and to deal with sin and death, eliminating them forever.

The Jews knew that God was in heaven but his rulership was over the earth. So a new heavenly government (God’s Kingdom) would bring redeemed mankind back to God’s original purpose...to have mortal beings living on earth in paradise conditions forever, taking care of all the things God had made to live here with us.....and to take care of the earth itself, which we can see now, they have all but ruined, through their greed and selfishness. God will step in...and in his anger he will destroy the destroyers. (Rev 11:18)

I think "new heavens" is about outer space, and "new earth" is about a new earth.

 

[Aunty Jane]

I think "new heavens" is about outer space, and "new earth" is about a new earth.

That is not what Scripture says….though it might be what you wish to believe…..God’s creation is perfect…he doesn’t make junk. Just as he cleansed the earth in Noah’s day….so Jesus indicated a similar situation on earth leading to his return…..(Matt 24:37-39) The earth is again filled with violence and immorality….and it’s time for the coming of God’s kingdom…the solution to all of man’s self-imposed problems….because it is beyond man’s ability to fix what he broke…..didn’t Jesus teach us to pray for the Kingdom to “come”…How does it do that, do you think? We are praying for it to “come” to us, not that we should go to the Kingdom….that privilege is reserved for Christ’s elect.…alone. (Rev 20:6)

The “new earth” is a new earthly society devoid of the rebellious and corruptible ones who spoil our lives today…..removing the problem and not the planet has always been God’s purpose. The earth was created to be our forever home.…it will yet be.

 

[Bob Estey]

I think "new heavens" is about outer space, and "new earth" is about a new earth.

Paul uses the term "heavens" without explaining what he means.

 

[charity]

'Rejoice in the Lord alway:
and again I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men.
The Lord is at hand.
Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,
think on these things.
Those things, which ye have both learned,
and received, and heard, and seen in me (Paul), do:
and the God of peace shall be with you.'
(Php 4:4-9)

 

[JohnDB]

New Land and societies was what was used to promote immigrating to America...."land of opportunity" has been the promoted ideal for 250 years now.

Utopian societies have been tried so many times and met with failure every time we ought to understand the concept of our own inadequacy.

Of course we understand Adam and Eve's fall.
Then Cain and Abel....

Then Noah and his family....

Then the conquering and settlement of the Promised Land....(Akin)
Then the creation of the Church with Annanias and Sapphira.
Then the settlement of the USA....
Communal life was a failure and two thirds of the people died....which caused private ownership...which caused Thanksgiving holiday.
Philadelphia itself was once an isolated Utopian society named "Brotherly love" that has degenerated into a crime ridden filth pit.

Jim Jones sold people this same ideal in the jungle of New Guinea. Until the kool-aid got served.

The problem with Utopian societies is people. We bring the problems with us.
Even though we know the decrees of God and knowledge of Him, for whatever reason, we do not follow them.

Nostalgia Syndrome is a real thing. Yesteryear was not all that great. People died young and often. Most people had a sibling who died of something. Severe Old age was 60-something. You never seriously thought about killing your neighbor as he usually died in a few years anyway.

But we somehow seem to think that times were great. Whooping cough, leukemia, and measles killed a LOT of people....but to us these were good times. Logging and just general misfortune at workplaces killed a lot of people too....but they were good times?

In the end....it doesn't matter what your neighbors do or don't do. It matters what you, yourself do today.

 

[Aunty Jane]

Paul uses the term "heavens" without explaining what he means.

Paul was a Jew, raised with all the knowledge of Scripture that Pharisees were expected to learn.....Jews had no expectation of even going to heaven, let alone living on another planet....

He understood what Christ meant because Jesus linked the cleansing of the earth in our time, to the days of Noah....(Matt 24:37-39) “The time of the end” (Daniel 12:4) was when he was to return as judge and pass sentence on those who chose not to know the true God (2 Thess 1:7-10).......the earth will then be rid of those people, (after being given ample time to repent) and the pretend gods that they served for many centuries under the devil’s clever deceptions will be exposed for what they always were.

Where will we find ourselves? Obedient to the Christ?.....or just putting our own spin on Scripture to suit what we want to believe? We will all find out soon enough....

 

[TheHC]

I think "new heavens" is about outer space, and "new earth" is about a new earth.

What do the Scriptures reveal?

(Our thinking should be based on reasoning & agree with what the Bible says, right?)

The Bible indicates the planet earth is here forever (Eccl.1:4; Isaiah 45:18)

Heavens, according to Ephesians 3:10, can refer to government, rulerships.

And Earth, according to Genesis 11:1 (etc.), can refer to human society.

2 Peter 3 tells us ‘heavens will be destroyed by fire, and earth also.’

It doesn’t “make sense” for God to destroy the literal heavens & our planet earth.

But it does make sense for God to destroy human governments which are in opposition to His ruling Kingdom (Daniel 2:44), and wicked people (society) who spurn His standards. — Psalms 37:10,11,29.

You might find the following post interesting:

"New Heavens and New Earth" - Why Destroy the Old?

I hope I'm putting this in a right forum!: There are a few verses in the Scriptures where it talks about "new heavens and a new Earth", like at Isaiah 65:17, 2 Peter 3:13, & Revelation 21:1. Revelation 21:1 adds, "for the former heavens and the former earth had passed away; and the sea is no...

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Take care; have a good day!