In Reply to: Re: I'm open to (a LONG-WINDED) debate... :) posted by AG on January 29, 2004 at 05:22:01:
Hi AG, :>
Well first off, I know nothing about other peoples sins, or His judgments. I am so flawed myself, I don't even know where my sins either begin or end. I am serious and very sincere in that. I rely upon His mercy, and daily ask for forgiveness, but for only what little I am aware, that I need forgiveness for, I am sure.
You will notice, if you get more time to read my website, that I do not couch my terms in such a context as God's punishment or any such thing. I agree with you that Jesus made it clear that the Tower of Siloam, fell upon people who were in the same basic state as all others are, not sinners 'worse than the average', but rather as He said, "except you repent, you shall also, ... ."
I further agree with you, that most of what is to befall the human race, is a direct consequence of the actions of people, both those few very powerful architects of world events, and the rest of us collectively. I do not even want to get into the why, or all the dark morass of human frailty, fault, foible, evil and such. That is a dark pool, that I am no position to even try to navigate.
When I get in a mood to hate and despise evil, my eyes automatically turn to the source of it, that angel who has lead the human race astray, and who sits in power upon the earth now, directing his men to usher in a world government, for him to dominate all people by. I have a fault, one of many, in that I pity his friends, e.g., Reagan and Bush etc., as much as I despise their actions and style.
Yes of course, things 'are' subject to change, and don't I hope they do! Oh, how I pray that Reagan, Bush and his men, and the fools taken in who support them, will have a revolution of conscience, and say no more, we were wrong. Yet from what I can but see dimly, it is known that this shall not occur, but from bad to worse shall things proceed. I am no Jonah, I would be happy should such men change, and God pardoning all fully, would negate the book of Revelation.
It is this very issue I wrestled with for many years, after leaving the COG. I horrified at the notion of hell, refused to accept it, and I though believing in Him, even foolishly faulted Him for allowing such things as sin and evil. I, on one starry night high up in the mountains, where I lived at my hermitage, told Him loudly, my face looking to the stars, that He was wrong to do this, or at least tell WHY it must be so!
Damned if He didn't answer me, softly and with great kindness, telling me this which I shall quote exactly, since I can never forget it.
"I created the race of men, not to be my slaves as automatons, but with free will, able also to know both good and evil." "I did this, I created evil also, so that mankind could have a clear choice, having experienced both good and evil." "I do not want slaves, nor servants without power of choice, but children, who shall grow up to be my friends, and even my peers." I have done a good thing, and you also have shown me, that fear alone does not direct your heart." "Have faith in me and know that my intentions are good, and in the end you shall know peace, about all of these things."
At this my heart was at rest finally, and He said more to me later of a personal nature, explaining why I had suffered this and that, and also showing me the good that had come from it, and how given the complexity of the human mind, I could not be taught the lessons any other way. We are not mere machines to be programmed, but beings, in His image, who learn by experience.
I can tell you this also. God is greatly misunderstood, and He has been wrongly portrayed on purpose by His enemies, especially that one who lives by selfish pitiless pride. My experience of God is that He is immensely patient, kind and gentle, beyond even the best earthly grandfather. He has a sense of humor, and words fail me to even begin to tell you, how sweet He has been to me, and the time He has given to me, in actually caring enough to know me personally, even better than I know myself. He is real, right here and now, and I have absolutely no doubt of this, because He is inside of my very being, more surely than the air I breathe.
I agree that you are correct, the future history is not set in stone, it is not predestined, and change could occur. It appears that though change is possible, such shall not occur however. I hope I am wrong about this. I believe the book of Revelation and Daniel, are accurate accounts of what will occur, as a result of human action, and also of course God's in response. Revelation is similar to an account, written by a time traveler, of future events, yet an account of greater depth due to a superior intelligence beyond our comprehension having given it.
Knowledge alone is but information, yet as Jesus said, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." This is of course is a statement of great depth, and as such, it as many applications.
To know the real poop, accurate information, the truth in that regard, about what takes place here upon Earth, who is doing what to whom and what their plan is, ... is I believe very helpful. For this I am not baffled nor confused, nor taken in by political propaganda or by other means mislead, and neither shall I be surprised and set into a panic, at what is yet to come. Further, knowing these things, empowers me also even more, in that I am able to prepare my heart and in ways practical, for what is to come. Now why would God forewarn us of these events to come, if not to grant faith to those who see prophesies come to pass, so literally as they have thus far, and to make us prepare and keep us safe, ... if we do? I mean really, I never thought that the verse in Revelation 13 about counting the number of his name, and it sums out as 666, would be so literal, and yet, RONALD WILSON REAGAN. As Joel would say, heavy man.
Neither did I expect that the AC would literally survive, before the eyes of the entire world a mortal wound, and by this astonish the entire world. Yet Reagan did just that, when he past age 70 survived the assassination attempt. Surely at the time these prophesies were given, people must have wondered 'by what magic', the entire world could eye witness anything, yet now we know, as it was on television.
Nor did I expect that the AC would be succeeded immediately, by a man who spoke like a dragon, yet appeared lambish (gentle kind wimpy), with two horns as a LAMB, and yet that is Bush senior in a nutshell. As one whose Presidency was founded supposedly upon the slogan "a kinder gentler America", while the prisons were filled to capacity, the death penalty reinstated, and we bombed people all over the world. Which is another thing, fire down from the sky, well Bush sure called it down, and 'he still is', now through his son.
Considering what you aid about your transexual friend. By the appearance do not go, for I am convinced that some women are born male, and I know that many are born in-between also, as such is a known congenital birth defect, hermaphrodites and such. Yet those who claim falsely to belong to Jesus, judge by the appearance, condemn and without pity marginalize through their bigotry, these same men, women and intersex born, for the lack of love and compassion, which is the true hallmark of God's people. I have known many transexuals and intersex people, and like any other, among them are many beautiful souls. Please see the brief chapter from Isaiah below, which clearly shows God's kind attitude toward such people.
I think you do well AG, and I enjoy our talks very much. I learn from you also.
Natasha
Isaiah 56
1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. 3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. 8 The Lord GOD, which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him. 9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. 10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. 12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
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