The dream started out where I seemed to be chased by a creature that looked like a Seraph.

I was scared at first. I didn't know what the creature was. Without knowledge of what Seraph exactly looked like, it looked like an alien man-eating monster to me.

Then dad came up to me in the dream and told me there's nothing to be afraid of. He told me it's the Lord. In that instant, the Seraph transformed into a human and looked and smiled at me and told me to come closer.

Recently, I saw a movie, a month after the dream where the main character(s) wore a pendant of a creature they called a Seraph. It had six wing-like appendages and had many "eyes". I did a quick search in the internet and saw the same images. The Seraph in my dream looked a little different. It did have an eye at the center. The "eyes" on the wings weren't exactly eyes, they seemed like the suckers on the tentacles of creatures like octopus. It is shiny black in color. It seemed covered in shiny black fur or feathers.

It doesn't seemed canonical description of these creatures referred to any color except that they glowed or "on fire".

And then the creature transformed back into the seraph form. It continued talking to me. It said to me, it will make many more like it. Something like an army and it will send forth that army to Earth.

It really felt like Jesus. The way it talked, the way it made me feel. But the physical appearance of the creature / form was scary to say the least if you didn't know what it is. It looked like something out of a sci-fi/horror movie.

I bet if one day, millions of these suddenly appeared in our skies, in our streets, it will cause widespread panic. The military will be unleashing all its might against it. Yet, I felt great hope. My late dad was happy in that dream. The creature told me not to worry.

Israel’s Priests Prepare for the Third Temple. (Ref. The Messianic prophecy bible project.)

According to Chaim Richman, the director of the Temple Institute in Jerusalem, whose headquarters is a short distance away from the Western Wall in the Old City, a “Temple in waiting” has essentially already been created.

“The Temple Institute is actively engaged in the research and preparation of the resumption of service in the Holy Temple to the extent of actually preparing operational blueprints for the construction of the Temple according to the most modern standards,” Richman told CBN News’ Chris Mitchell.



Chaim Richman, the director of the Temple Institute in Jerusalem. (YouTube capture)

Indeed, the Institute has already created over 60 sacred Temple vessels that will be needed for worship in the coming rebuilt Temple.

The High Priest’s breastplate containing the 12 precious stones of the tribes of Israel, and the musical instruments of the Levitical choir are also ready. In addition, the Institute prepared the priestly garments.

These garments will adorn a new generation of Levitical Priests (Kohanim) who are already in training.

Kohen (literally Priest) is a status given only to Aaron (who was a Levite) and his descendants. Levitical priests, therefore, are those Jews who mark their ancestry back to the tribe of Levi and are descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses. Today, Cohen is a common Jewish last name and indicates a possible connection to the bloodline of Aaron.

While the Kohanim were charged with sacrificial duties, those Levites who were not descendants of Aaron were charged with caring for the Temple as well as its vessels and furnishings.



School for Training the Third Temple Priests

In keeping with the tradition established by Chief Rabbi Kook to view with expectation God’s speedy fulfillment of His prophecies regarding the Temple, the Temple Institute along with the Third Temple Academy has begun such preparations for the Third Temple.

In 2009, a field school was built in Mizpe Yericho to prepare Kohanim (priests) and Levites for service in the Third Temple.

In 2010, uncut stones were collected from the Dead Sea for the construction of the Temple altar. Such pristine stones are believed to fulfill the injunction that such building material be free from contact with metal tools. (Deuteronomy 27:5)

The Third Temple Academy in Mitzpe Yericho is about a 20-minute drive from Jerusalem on the road that leads to Jericho and the Jordan Valley.

By building a replica of the Temple, the school has been able to give the priestly students a hands-on experience of Temple sacrificial worship.

Kohanim are also being trained to perform the regular Temple duties or the daily Tamid service that is performed in the Holy Temple.

In August 2013, an evening was set aside for the grand opening of the school with a semi-dress rehearsal covering the complete daily service.

Participants, some dressed in full priestly adornments, carried out the service step by step as prescribed through the Torah (Five Books of Moses), the Mishnah (rabbinical interpretations of the Torah) and other rabbinical writings.

“Despite the limited space and all the typical pressure that accompany first time efforts, the overall effect was spell-binding, as we witnessed a sacred ceremony, first described in Torah four thousand years ago, yet not attended to for two thousand years of exile, suddenly come to life before our very eyes. All at once, ancient texts and descriptions took shape as today’s descendants of Aaron, the first high priest and father of all kohanim, worked diligently to perform their assigned tasks,” a Facebook post stated.



Four Kohanim walk beside a small modular altar in the Temple Institute that can be disassembled and placed within the Third Temple. Two Kohanim carry ceramic vessels filled with pure olive oil that will be stored for use in the Third Temple. On the ramp of the altar is the three-pronged fork for placing the offerings on the fire atop the altar. The copper vessel will be used to remove the previous day’s ashes. (Source: Temple Institute Facebook)

Resuming the Giving of Offerings

In a truly exciting development since then, this Pesach (Passover 2015), the Kohanim in training completed an accurate, authentic re-enactment of the Korban Pesach (Passover offering). It is the first time in 2,000 years that this offering has been witnessed.

The Temple Institute video of the re-enactment shows the Kohanim in their white uniforms using sacred vessels. The uniforms, vessels and re-enactment were the result of decades of research.



In the picturesque Samarian hills near Shiloh, a lamb was inspected and its blood was passed from one Kohanim to another in silver vessels called mizrak.

“It is unconscionable and untenable that the Jewish people are prevented from conducting their Biblically-mandated Korban Pesach on Har HaBayis [Temple Mount] as required by Halacha [religious laws derived from written and oral laws].

“The Korban Pesach is the very essence of not only the holiday but also of our Jewish identity. We hope this video connects Jews worldwide to the true meaning of Pesach,” Rabbi Chaim Richman explains.

A Kohen holds a silver mizrak, which is used to collect the blood from the sacrifice. After collecting the blood, the priest then spills it onto the corner of the altar. (Source: Temple Institute Facebook page)

“We call on all of Israel to study and discuss the Korban Pesach and make it the central theme of their Seder. The concept of the Korban Pesach is synonymous with Israel’s bold stand against all forms of idolatry. Only by understanding the true nature of the Passover experience can we hope to fulfill our Divine calling to be a light to the nations and celebrate yomtov [festival] properly in the rebuilt Jerusalem,” Richman adds.

On the second day of Pesach this year, yet another great stride was taken in bringing back the service of the Holy Temple—a practice run for the bringing of the omer (barley offering) to the Temple, as mandated in Leviticus 23:10.

In the Third Temple, a small amount of omer will be offered on the altar, and the rest will be eaten by the Kohanim serving in the Temple.

The omer marks the beginning of the countdown to Shavuot (Feast of Weeks or Pentecost).

Richman says, “We have enough in place now to resume divine service and to build the Temple,” adding, “But obviously, a lot of things have to happen in order for this to happen.” (CBN)

Preparing for Purification in the Third Temple: The Red Heifer

Although the Temple vessels have been created and the priests are in training, there are some serious issues that need to be resolved before construction on a new Temple can begin.

One key element missing at the moment is the finding of a ritually pure red heifer, which is necessary to fulfill the command to use a red heifer as a means of purifying the altar (Numbers 19).

Such specimens must be without blemish and not even two of their hairs may vary in color.

Previous red heifers have been disqualified, including a New Jersey red heifer that became ineligible this year when it gave birth to a black calf. Pregnancy and the subsequent birth disqualify the cow.

Rather than wait for one to appear randomly in a flock somewhere on earth, the Temple Institute has begun a special red heifer breeding program that includes the implanting of frozen Red Angus embryos into domestic Israeli cattle. A crowdfunding campaign is underway to help fund it. To date, approximately $31,000 has been raised for this effort.



A Kohen and men from the Temple Institute have a look at Israeli cattle. (Temple Institute Facebook photo)

“I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” (Isaiah 62:6–7)



Laying the Cornerstone of the Third Temple

“In building the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.” (1 Kings 6:7)

A group called “The Temple Mount Faithful,” led by Gershon Salomon, has actually prepared the cornerstones for a new Temple, using diamond rather than steel cutting tools, so as to conform with the Bible injunction that no metal tool be used in the construction of the Temple—an edifice of peace.

The six-ton stones have been consecrated with water drawn from the Biblical pool of Siloam. For the last several years, Salomon and his followers have attempted to place these cornerstones on the Temple Mount but each time they have been stopped by the Israeli police.

Noting that the Temple must be rebuilt on the Temple Mount, Salomon said, “Unfortunately, weakness of the Israeli leadership did not allow us to bring the cornerstones to the right place. The end-time Temple should be built on the same location as the First and the Second Temple.”

Inflation has driven hundreds of private bottle redemption centers out of business, putting pressure on states to bail out the businesses, despite signs consumers are increasingly disinterested in hauling their recyclables to the facilities.

Ten states have laws requiring consumers to pay deposits between 5 and 15 cents for every redeemable plastic, glass and metal bottle they buy: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon, and Vermont.

Multiple reports now find those centers shuttering as shoppers return fewer bottles, apparently deeming the nickels and dimes not worth their time.



Even with cash incentives, Bidenomics has exposed how committed residents of the Blue States are to conservation efforts.

Miracles are one of the most astonishing things God does for us, it doesn't just show his power it shows that we do not have to worry about anything because if he can defy reality with his miracles what do we care about our problems which are like a pebble to him.

Miracles require faith, we ask and pray for healing for others we ask and pray for finincial help for ourselves and for others we want to see his wonder here on earth however faith is not a currency. your prayers for miracles are not unanswered because you lack faith or because he said no or wait or because it isn't his will. Look at the sparrows see how without even asking he provides for them do you see how that parable as it speaks of how generously he takes care of us for our every needs .

Faith is a verb not a noun what does that mean? It means he wants you to meet him half way you have to take that step of faith meaning you go for it assuming he has already said yes because it is a yes every single time and the point is to glorify him to boast of his providing to show what psalms 23 actually means it is a state of being with him

I have a short testimony to give concerning this. I was watching youtube yesterday trying to not move much but still being with God and came across a video by troy brewer I think it was title something about the four corners of the world or something but this whole video was about this kministry that goes to others countries and these children are made prostitutse there and they don't live long they have little to eat and are abused but these ministires go and actually have saved many children

I saw this and I looked at Jesus and said this right here this is the kingdom this is what we were meant to do and I had a memory of a story I heard a long time ago about a man who mande a deal with God saying if he would give him a million dollars he would donate it to whatever he wanted him to donate it to he did this as an act of faith and guess what somehow he was blessed with the money and he gave it as he was lead.

So I said to Jesus if you want a leap of faith here it is, if you will give me a butt load of money I will give it to this ministry . There is maybe on this it is happening how do I know this? Because I dfare to declare it so, I have my assurance in his word

To do anything like that it requires that you take that step forward you need to actually trust him not wonder if he will anser or not you assume it is already done and that he will be gloruified for it. But he doesn't give such miracles or any divine miracle if we are not willing to meet him half way we do not simply ask in faith we step towards what we are asking for as an act of faith assuming it is done even if we cannot see it now.

Did you think it stopped at the cross? Do you not wonder why even though Jesus said we would do more amazing things than him we don't see anyone walking in the realm of the impossible? The walk we walk is not simply following Jesus it is walking with him side by side together to reside with and in him .
The walk is unknown we don't even know what tomorrow brings let alone what steps he will take us= our walk with him is in itself faith a verb we walk with him

The daring to believe and do and say what is seen as foolish is dangerous and scary at first as it is not normal even to us Christians you will be mocked or talked down to and plenty of verses will be thrown at you in theology mindsets but once you get past that part this realm with him is quite frankly really fun

Do you have fun in your walk with him? do you pray with him not just to him? does the spirit truly reside with us. I mean the word reside consider that word he lives with us if people are surprised to feel the holy spirit when they walk into your house you can say to that he lives with me and when he does you really understand how we are never alone. Wake up my friends dare to go with him into the impossible so that he may be praised and glorified in it all that we recieve all we are given from him will come back to him tenfold if we intend to be workers of the kingdom for him and miracles and wonders are not for signs anymore they are to show why he is God and they are to help and give gladness


Pray for each other, seriously pray for each other in this manner if you want him to helpr or bless someone which as brothers and sisters in Christ should come naturally to us then he says take that step forward. Above all remember that his name is the reason for his miracles to lift his name on high as we praise and give thanksgiving to him for what he has done and is going to do. Let us baost of our caregiver our comnforter our provider even if we are lacking and poor now as many of us are true prayer in faith assuming it is already done this is what we need to do for each other right now

The question is do you dare take that step?

Isaiah 42:9 The earlier prophecies have come to pass, now I declare new things:

Isaiah 42:10-12 Sing a new song to the Lord, sing His praises throughout the world, you that sail the seas and you that inhabit the coasts and islands. Let the wilderness settlements rejoice in Kedar and Sela.

Isaiah 42:13-15 Long have I restrained Myself and kept silence, but now I cry out like a woman in labour. Now I shall lay waste to the hills and dry up the watercourses. The Lord will go forth as a warrior, He will raise the battle cry and triumph over His enemies.

Isaiah 42:16-24 You that are deaf, hear now, look you blind and see! Who is as blind as the one who has My trust, so deaf as the servant of the Lord? You have seen much but perceived little, your ears are open, but you hear nothing. I shall lead the blind along paths they do not know, making smooth the way, but those who trust in idols will be turned back in shame. It pleased the Lord to further His justice, to make His Law great. Yet, here is a people taken as spoil and plundered, all hidden away with no hope of rescue. Who will pay heed to this? Who was it that handed Israel over? Who gave up Israel for spoil? It was the Lord, against whom they sinned for they refused obedience to His Laws.

Isaiah 42 :25 So, onto Jacob He poured His wrath. The flames of God’s wrath burned him, yet still they did not take it to heart.

Isaiah 43:1-2 But now, Jacob, this is the word of the Lord, of Him who created you: When you pass through waters, I will be with you. When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched.

Isaiah 43:3-4 I am the Holy One of Israel, your Deliverer. Because I love you, I will give other peoples as ransom for your life.

Isaiah 43:5-7 Have no fear, for I am with you. I shall bring your descendants from the East and West. From the North and South and the ends of the earth, everyone who bears My name, all who I have made for My glory.

Isaiah 43:8 Lead out those who are blind – a people who have eyes, but cannot see, who have ears, but cannot hear.

Isaiah 43:9 The nations are gathered. Which of them foretold former things? Or can interpret this for us? Let them prove their case, so we can see if it is true.

Isaiah 43:10-13 You are My witnesses, says the Lord. You are My servants, chosen by Me, so that you may understand that I am God alone. I am the Lord and I alone am your Deliverer. What I do, no one can undo.
Reference: Revised English Bible, some verses abridged

42:10-12 All those who love the Lord, throughout the world – get ready to praise Him for their deliverance.

42:13-15 The Lord has restrained Himself, but soon He will act in the world. Psalms 50:1-6

42:16-17 His People, righteous Christians, the Israelites of God, will be led into the Promised Land. Anyone who revolts and rebels cannot enter. Ezekiel 20:37-38

42:18-20 & 43:8 The Lord’s servants are unable to understand prophecy or foresee His plans for them. Jeremiah 4:22, Jeremiah 6:10 That is how God wants it.

42:22-25 His people, the faithful Christians, are scattered among the nations by the Lord, as punishment for the sins of their spiritual forefathers 2 Kings 23:27, Galatians 3:26-29

43:1-7 But now, when the Lord sends His vengeance and fiery wrath, the Lord will protect His faithful people. . They will be gathered into the Promised Land. Zechariah 10:8-10, Isaiah 35,, Ezekiel 34:11-16, Romans 9:24-26 The unbelievers of Israel, will not. Ezekiel 20:34-38

43:9-13 The other nations are ignorant of the Lord’s plans. The faithful Christians are His witnesses and servants chosen by Him, so they will know God and spread the Gospel of the soon to come, Kingdom of Jesus. Isaiah 66:19, 1 Peter 2:9-10

I'm listening to this book and gaining a understanding of the laws and statues like burnt offerings deep book

With so many big name, big time Hollywood productions — with the rare exception — tanking at the box office, it’s almost comical to see the establishment, propaganda media fall all over themselves to cast shade on a movie that seems to be resonating with 100 percent of the audience, according to Rotten Tomatoes, “Sound of Freedom.”

And with there being a plethora of examples of said media giving the public the perception that they’re playing defense for pedophilia, grooming and trafficking, here’s a rundown of what the “professional” critics are saying.

Jesus spoke to Nicodemus in John 3:

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.

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What is born of water?

There are at least 3 interpretations:

1. Water is a symbol of cleansing, Ezekiel 36:

25 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27“I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. 28“You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God.

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2. Water refers to John's water baptism, John 1:

33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

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Nicodemus knew about John's water baptism for repentance. Jesus informed him that there was another requirement. Ellicott, Cambridge Bible, and Bengel agreed to this interpretation #2.

3. Water refers to natural watery birth, John 3:

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

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I take the simplest way out: #3. The context bears this out, John 3:

6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

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Here is my "critical path" timeline chart of the 7 years. I made the chart back in July 23, 2020, three years ago.

The term "critical path" is an engineering term for when they plan a project from start to finish. It has the necessary steps, in sequence order, that have to be achieved before going to the next step along the path.

On this chart, the critical path is in "red".

In this thread I will do a "walk through" of each step. And also of other information on the chart.

First there was “get woke, go broke.” Now there’s a flip side — “get canceled, top the charts.”

Country star Jason Aldean’s song “Try That in a Small Town” had its video pulled by CMT earlier this week after days of attacks accusing it of racism and gun fetishism.

By Wednesday, the song had hit No. 1 on the U.S. iTunes chart, according to Billboard magazine.

My husband and I have been told we should forget the injustice made to us and come back to the church where we have been mistreated without expecting any apology, but we should do so in order to not destroy a body of Christ and to please God.

(Some info you may need:
We have been mistreated for many months on end. My husband had several meetings with the responsible ones and with the pastor, looking for a solution that was promised but never delivered. In the end the abuse was public and in the sanctuary, so we left.

And
Many people have left that church for the same reasons (more than ten families) but we never encouraged them to do so. We never really shared what happened with anyone. )

My question is:is God "pleased" if we go back and get mistreated again?

Nine House Democrats voted against a GOP-authored resolution that rejected all forms of antisemitism and says Israel is “not a racist apartheid state” following comments from Rep. Pramila Jayapal that criticized the Middle Eastern democracy.

The nine Democratic lawmakers that voted against the measure were: Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Cori Bush of Missouri, Andre Carson of Indiana, Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Delia Ramirez of Illinois.

NewsWeek​

U.S. States Urged To Block Donald Trump From 2024 Run​

7/13/23

Two advocacy groups have written to officials in several states urging them to bar Donald Trump from running as a presidential candidate for allegedly inciting an insurrection.

Kamala Harris Roasted After Suggesting Population Reduction To Help The Environment


Kamala Harris Roasted After Suggesting Population Reduction To Help The Environment | The Daily Wire

“When we invest in clean energy and electric vehicles and reduce population, more of our children can breath clean air and drink clean water."

Of course, the White House edited her statement. But she said it.

Rousing people from ignorance and apathy, the film is doing much more than smashing box-office records, as audience members feel compelled to act.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Through the Sisters of Mary, more than 21,000 children from six countries are annually provided care and education at World Villages’ Boystowns and Girlstowns to prevent and in some cases save them from human trafficking.

The scourge of such trafficking is insidious.

“A few days ago, at lunch in Mexico, I was speaking with three graduates of the Girlstown communities, who each revealed firsthand accounts of sex slavery,” Kevin Wells, vice president of public relations for World Villages, told the Register.

“One told me she recently went to visit a friend in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. Her friend’s father routinely visited a notorious bar-like setting where small children performed sexual acts on him and other men. She said most people in the town knew about the bar, including local politicians and police, but would do nothing to shut it down,” he continued. “The violence of poverty has intensified sex slavery and trafficking in the poor counties where the sisters work.”


Continued below.

I don't know because Sola Scriptura is not a term found in the Bible. I prefer to stick to the wording of the Bible in my debates.

I know the following:

Matthew 23:

1 Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.

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2 Thessalonians 2:

15 brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

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I don't dismiss any evidence. Instead, I weigh them, including Didache, Josephus, Irenaeus, etc.

If you ask 5 people for the definition of Sola Scriptura from memory, you'll get 6 different definitions

There is also Prima Scriptura.

I'm Duncan, born in Norway but raised in the U.S. and am currently living in Norway again. I'm a sinner suffering from OCD and social anxiety which makes it hard for me to go to Church and seek counsel there, so thought the next best thing would be with like minded people online.

Thanks for having me and look forward to chatting with ya'll on the forums!

I'll go first, mine would have to be blasphemy. The more flippant, the more angry I seem to get. There just is no excuse to take the Lord's name in vain. My second pet peeve would be people poking me to get my attention, bugs me doubly so when they see I am currently busy! Doesn't get me angry really, just an annoyance.

What about yours?

I`ve come to some, realisation, about Jesus below:

1. the movie, The Passion of The Christ, were, way too violent to be true,

2. the tomb of Jesus, in Jerusalem, had no blood-stains, only, a carved cross, I find it a little difficult that there`s no blood-stains after him, when he was treated so badly on the cross, nails through limbs, and poking in chest with a spear, and so fourth, I`m talking about the tomb in the church, they, openened, it to do maintenance on the building,

3. people were poor, and had no tools to pry off the nails in Jesus`s limbs, which also is difficult when limbs are in the way, the, nails would have been deep into the wood also to be able to hang up a person,

4. he was a little crazy, because he said he was son of a higher being, so I don`t think, people would treat a mildly, crazy person, that bad,

5. the Romans at the time, didn`t like singing or acting, so I think they were a little against violence also, there must have been some provocation from him Jesus himself, which I doubt, if, he really was that kind,

- what do you think, I`m onto something?

NIV note in Mark 16:

The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses 9–20.

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On the other hand, Wiki:

Irenaeus (c. 184), in Against Heresies 3:10.6, explicitly cited Mark 16:19, stating that he was quoting from near the end of Mark's account. This patristic evidence is over a century older than the earliest manuscript of Mark 16.

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The earliest manuscripts we have today do not contain the long ending with Mark 16:19 but outside of the Bible manuscripts, Irenaeus quoted Mark 16:19 in his writing. Apparently, he read a manuscript that contained it. His quotation was older than those earliest manuscripts.

Galatians 6:7-8 ESV


Do not be deceived. Do not be led astray. Do not go astray or get off course. Don’t deviate from the correct path. Don’t roam into error, wandering. Don’t be misled. Don’t listen to those who are telling you that if you confess Jesus as Lord of your life that your sins no longer matter to God. And don’t accept a gospel message which makes no requirements for repentance (turning away from sin) nor for walks of obedience to your Lord Jesus Christ.

Don’t believe those who are telling you that you can make a one-time decision in your life to believe in Jesus Christ and now all your sins are forgiven (past, present, and future), and that heaven is guaranteed you when you die, end of story, or regardless of how you live your life while you are still on the earth. For how you choose to live your life on this earth absolutely does matter for eternity. For we live what we truly believe.

So, don’t be those who mock God and his commands and his teachings in the New Testament under the New Covenant. Don’t turn your nose up at his teachings just because they disagree with how you want to live your life, or because they contradict the gospel message you want to believe in. Don’t show contempt to God and to his Word and to his messengers who are bringing you the truth of God’s Word, because you don’t want to obey it.

For whatever you sow (spread, scatter, plant) that also will you reap (secure, obtain, receive in return). So this has to do with our works. For whatever we do in this life, how we live, the things we do and say, and our attitudes and our actions, they all reveal who we are inside, i.e. what is in our hearts. So, if we waste away our lives entertaining and being entertained and/or in walking in sin, and not in obedience to our Lord, hell is what we will reap.

But if we use the time we have been given on this earth to believe in Jesus Christ, and to walk in his holiness and righteousness, in obedience to our Lord, and not in sin, then we will reap eternal life with God provided that we continue steadfast in those walks of faith until the day we die or until Jesus returns to take us to be with him for eternity. For God did not put us humans on this earth to live for ourselves, but to live for him and to do his will.

So if we are living to the flesh (to our human and sin nature), living to self, indulging in what our sinful flesh desires, doing actively what pleases self, and not what pleases God, but independent of God, then from that same flesh we are going to reap decay (death, corruption) and not eternal life with God, regardless of what faith in Jesus Christ our lips have confessed. So, we will die in our sins and heaven will not be our eternal destiny.

But if we are living to the Spirit, doing actively what the Spirit desires and requires of us in the way of holy living and in walks of obedience to our Lord, then from the Spirit we will reap life eternal. Heaven will be our eternal destiny because we were crucified with Christ in death to sin, and we have continued to die daily to sin and to walk in obedience to our Lord, according to the will of God and in his power and strength and wisdom.

But this has nothing to do with works salvation. This is not us trying to earn our way into heaven by doing “good deeds.” This is us either walking in the faith we profess, by the Spirit, or it is us walking in the flesh, by the flesh. It is us either living out our salvation, by the Spirit, or it is us continuing to live according the flesh. For genuine God-given and God-persuaded faith in Jesus Christ is not giving lip service only, but it is faith in action, by God’s grace.

And our salvation from sin is not a one-time thing and now we are good to go to heaven. Our salvation and our faith to believe in Jesus Christ are progressive and continuous and we must continue in these walks of faith until the very end to receive salvation from sin and eternal life with God. And our salvation won’t even be complete until Jesus returns and he takes his faithful ones, his bride, to be with him for eternity.

So, please take these words to heart. It is not enough just to make a confession of Christ as Lord. He must be our Lord (Owner-Master) in practice, by the Spirit, and we must, thus, now walk in his ways and in his truth in his power and strength and wisdom. For if we choose to continue walking according to the flesh, and not according to the Spirit, then we will not have eternal life with God but a fearful expectation of raging fire.

[Matt 7:21-23; Matt 24:9-14; Lu 9:23-26; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14,24; Rom 12:1-2; Rom 13:11; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; 1 Co 1:18; 1 Co 15:1-2; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Heb 9:28; 1 Pet 1:5; Gal 5:16-21; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:5-17; 1 Pet 2:24; Tit 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-9; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; Heb 3:6,14-15; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15]

Oh, to Be Like Thee, Blessed Redeemer

Lyrics by Thomas O. Chisholm, 1897
Music by W. J. Kirkpatrick, 1897

Oh, to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Oh, to be like Thee! full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wandering sinner to find.

O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer others to save.

O to be like Thee! while I am pleading,
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love;
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit me for life and Heaven above.

Oh, to be like Thee! Oh, to be like Thee,
Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

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The book of Didache was written in the first century AD. Didache:

And concerning baptism, baptize this way: Having first said all these things, baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if you have no living water, baptize into other water; and if you cannot do so in cold water, do so in warm. But if you have neither, pour out water three times upon the head into the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit.

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Was baptism always by immersion?

No. Didache was being pragmatic, offering different modes of baptism. The preference was full immersion in a body of running water.

Strong's Greek: 907. βαπτίζω (baptizó) — 81 Occurrences

The primary meaning of G907 was to immerse, not sprinkle, but it could also mean to purify. BDAG:

In Gk. lit. gener. to put or go under water in a variety of senses, also fig., e.g. ‘soak’

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① wash ceremonially for purpose of purification, wash, purify, of a broad range of repeated ritual washing rooted in Israelite tradition.

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② to use water in a rite for purpose of renewing or establishing a relationship w. God, plunge, dip, wash, baptize. The transliteration ‘baptize’ signifies the ceremonial character that NT narratives accord such cleansing, but the need of qualifying statements or contextual coloring in the documents indicates that the term β. was not nearly so technical as the transliteration suggests.

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③ to cause someone to have an extraordinary experience akin to an initiatory water-rite, to plunge, baptize.

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As a general rule, Genesis 1:

28 God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth’

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Psalm 127:

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

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Proverbs 17:

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.

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1 Timothy 5:

14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.

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It is good to have children. It is the usual practice. According to Paul, marriage and children go together.

On the other hand, there are some cases of bad news. Jesus said in Luke 12:

52 From now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.

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Matthew 26:

24 he said that it would’ve been better if Judas had never been born.

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Is It OK for married couples not to have children?

I think so but that is not the usual practice.

1 Corinthians 10:

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

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See also Sex is not only for procreation.

As usual, I am not the oracle of God. I am merely expressing my own interpretation and opinion.