" A group of three researchers earned the 2023 Nobel Prize in physics for work that has revolutionized how scientists study the electron — by illuminating molecules with attosecond-long flashes of light."

""Atto" is the scientific notation prefix that represents 10^-18, which is a decimal point followed by 17 zeroes and a 1. So a flash of light lasting an attosecond, or 0.000000000000000001 of a second, is an extremely short pulse of light."

"... there are approximately as many attoseconds in one second as there are seconds in the age of the universe."

Someone fired two rounds from a shotgun at the Planned Parenthood facility in Helena, officials said Friday.

While officers were checking the area, they received another call advising that someone had shot the front entry of the business. It was determined that someone had walked up to the front of the Planned Parenthood and fired two rounds from a shotgun, Bailey said.

Friday afternoon, police released three photographs asking for assistance in identifying a person and vehicle. One photo shows a person carrying what appears to be a shotgun or rifle and the other two pictures are of a vehicle.

Evangelical apologists tend to play to the choir by debating strawman positions that better informed opponents would view with amused pity. Therefore, apologists should seek out and focus on the best arguments for opposing perspectives to avoid the accusation of a superficial grasp of the decisive issues. I am not a universalist, but I believe the so-called universalist texts raise profound eschatological questions for evangelicals to explore with profit. So this thread will play Devil's Advocate in drawing attention to the interpretive challenges posed by these texts, some of which don't seem to have been considered in other threads on this topic.

One standard anti-universalist argument can be summarily dismissed--the argument that universalism trivializes the urgency of embracing the Gospel. Does the prospect of spending long periods of Hell time in unimaginable conscious torment trivialize the Gospel? Please!

The validity of universalism depends on how we resolve tensions or apparent contradictions between the exclusivist biblical texts familiar to all evangelicals and other texts that seem to imply an all-inclusive cosmic reconciliation, ultimate release from postmortem punishment, and a divine intent to ultimately save everyone. The urgency of the universalist question (and the less inclusive related question of possible release for some from Hell is fueled by these 4 questions about the morality of the Christian God:
(1) If an omnipotent God wants everyone to ultimately be saved, how can that divine desire ever be permanently thwarted?
(2) How can sins committed during a relatively brief lifespan merit not just annihilation, but eternal conscious torment from a just God?
(3) How can God's pure unconditional love eternally abandon any sinner after death?
(4) If sinners in Hell eventually long to benefit from divine grace and live a life pleasing to God, why would it ever be too late for a loving God to respond positively to this longing? As C. S. Lewis put it, "The gates of Hell are locked from the inside."

Discussion of this issue needs to keep 2 facts in mind:
(1) Strictly speaking, the Bible is not a book of systematic theology. Many theological texts presume an unstated set of assumptions that must be identified, but this identification process is often arbitrary and indecisive.

(2) The Bible can never be definitively translated because so often there is no one-to-one correspondence between the Hebrew and Greek word and the English word used to translate it. For example, neither the Hebrew ("olam") nor the Greek ("aionios") word that is routinely translated "eternal" needs to mean that. The primary meaning of "olam" is "for a long time" and "aionios" means "age-long."

I will begin by presenting the case from Revelation and then from 1 Peter, Paul, and Jesus.

I'm Emma, I was baptized Catholic but grew up non-believing and believed in mostly Buddhist and reincarnation ideas.
However after some deep spiritual experiences, getting a sign from my great grandma, and other things, I was led to God. I did lots of research on philosophy, metaphysics, intelligent design, Biblical accuracy, etc. And after considering both secular and non secular sources, I felt like what I previously thought was just "the universe" telling me things and informing my intuition, was in reality, God. I have always seen things regarding human nature other people haven't seen, and had dreams that had predicted events, that I always just assumed was coincidence. I think there is simply a lot beyond our reality we can't explain. I started RCIA classes recently, and I look forward to where this spiritual journey takes me.

I wanted to find a forum where I could get Christian perspectives, because unfortunately on r/Christianity it is overrun by atheists who will turn people's posts into debates and flood the comment sections with ad hominems. And I also don't mind discussing things with atheists as long as it can be moderated such as on here, because it's unfortunate to see that it's not regulated in other places. From what I've seen people are very respectful on all sides here.

Greetings. I've been studying the Time, Times, and Half a Time mentioned in Daniel 7:25, Daniel 12:7, and Revelation 12:14. This is synonymous with the Times of the Gentiles, or the distress upon the people of Israel, mentioned in the Olivet Discourse of Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. I also think it is synonymous with the 42 months that the mouth of the beast exercises authority in Revelation 13:5 and Jerusalem is trampled by Gentiles in Revelation 11:2.

Many interpret it to be 1,260 years or a literal 3.5 years. I have another interpretation to offer up.

1) Matthew 1:1-17 presents three sets of fourteen generations from Abraham to David to the Exile to Jesus.
2) Jesus explained that the generation hearing his prophecy during the Olivet Discourse would see the temple get destroyed.
3) Jesus was crucified around 30 CE and the temple was destroyed in 70 CE, making a generation to be 40 years, the same as the Israelites wandering the wilderness during the days of Moses.
4) 14 x 4 x 3.5 = 1,960 years
5) 1,960 years of Gentile rule + 70 CE when the temple was destroyed = 2030 CE.
6) Seven years from 2030 to account for the last seven in Daniel 9:27 = 2023 CE.

If my interpretation is correct, which I am always wary of placing dates, the Two Witnesses will start prophesying now and will be defeated in 3.5 years. Always watching, always evolving. Interested in hearing your thoughts, preferably on the merit of the interpretation rather than on what is commonly believed. Thanks in advance.

The Red Letters of Revelation

What would the book of Revelation read like if it only contained the direct words of Jesus?

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Letters to the Seven Churches

Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Revelation 1:11 I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Revelation 1:17-20 Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Ephesus

Revelation 2:1-7 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

• Commendation: I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted...But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.
• Rebuke: Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
• Prescription: Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
• Promise: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
• Attributes: Labored and not fainted, patience for His name's sake, cannot bear them which are evil, vetted false prophets.

Smyrna

Revelation 2:8-11 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

• Commendation: I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
• Rebuke: None
• Prescription: Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
• Promise: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
• Attributes: (Patience through) tribulation and poverty.

Pergamos

Revelation 2:12-17 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

• Commendation: I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
• Rebuke: But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
• Prescription: Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
• Promise: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
• Attributes: Holds fast His name, has not denied His faith, martyred.

Thyatira

Revelation 2:18-29 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

• Commendation: I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
• Rebuke: Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works
• Prescription: But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
• Promise: And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star.
• Attributes: Charity, service, faith, patience.

Sardis

Revelation 3:1-6 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

• Commendation: None
• Rebuke: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
• Prescription: Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
• Promise: He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
• Attributes: Has a name, is alive, but is dead.

Philadelphia

Revelation 3:7-13 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

• Commendation: I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
• Rebuke: None
• Prescription: Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
• Promise: Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
• Attributes: Has little strength, has kept His word, has not denied His name.

Laodicea

Revelation 3:14-22 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

• Commendation: None
• Rebuke: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.
• Prescription: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
• Promise: To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
• Attributes: Lukewarm, rich in their own mind, but actually wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.

Coming Quickly

Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

Revelation 2:16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

Revelation 3:11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Revelation 22:12-13 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Revelation 22:22 Surely I come quickly.

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Words and phrases that keep repeating.

• I am Alpha and Omega (first and last)
• I know thy works
• I have a few things against thee (5 of the 7 churches received a rebuke, 2 did not receive a commendation)
• Hold fast; patience
• Repent
• Watch
• To him that overcometh
• He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches
• Behold, I come quickly

---

Come to your own conclusions as to what message Jesus was trying to relay to the churches, to us, in His own words.

For years I have heard and participated in debates about who the Germany Nazi party was most like in the current political culture of the US

There have been numerous comparisons.

Well I was in Berlin last week and spotted something interesting.

This is the former Reichstag, now called the Bundenstag:



Off to the right of the building is the road leading to the Brandenburg Gate.



It is the center of Berlin police politics. And always has been.

On the road between these two monuments of Germany is a memorial for those murdered by the Nazi party.

Read what it says.



That I find very interesting.

Pakistan​

Punjab’s government is investigating reports that the Jaranwala riots in August were carefully co-ordinated attacks. Pray for justice for families affected by the violence.
Number of Prayers 14
YES - I WILL PRAY
Pakistan

Pakistan​

Thousands of extremists attacked up to 19 churches and hundreds of Christian homes in Jaranwala, Punjab, in August following allegations that a copy of the Koran had been desecrated. Pray for the many Christians who are now without homes or churches.
Number of Prayers 30
YES - I WILL PRAY
Pakistan

Pakistan​

The newly passed Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act 2023 increases the punishment for insulting Islam’s prophet Mohammed and his family to a minimum of ten years. Pray for increased legal protection for minorities vulnerable to accusations of blasph…
Number of Prayers 30
YES - I WILL PRAY
Pakistan

Pakistan​

Pray for Christian converts from Islam in Pakistan who are often persecuted by family members. ‘Jameela’ had to flee from her husband when he threatened to kill her and their sons after she turned to Christ.
Number of Prayers 38
YES - I WILL PRAY
Pakistan

Pakistan​

Pray for justice for Imran Rehman who has been charged with blasphemy, and more recently terrorism, over material he is alleged to have posted via a social-messaging service. He denies all charges.
Number of Prayers 36
YES - I WILL PRAY
Pakistan

Pakistan​

Pray for the family of Abdul Rauf, a young English teacher who was shot dead in Turbat, Balochistan province, in August after being accused of blasphemy by his students.
Number of Prayers 38
YES - I WILL PRAY
Pakistan

Pakistan​

Pray for Christians in Maryam Town, Sargodha district, Punjab, where thousands fled their homes after posters offensive to Moslems were posted on Mosque walls in July, sparking protests.

Starting Tuesday my wife started feeling ill thinking nothing of it because she was off until Thursday and she is usually not sick more than a few days it was fine. Wednesday she was as sick as a dog she took an at home covid test and it was negative. Come Wednesday night she had a fever of 101 degrees and called work to say she was sick. Yesterday morning her fever was even worse she called her boss to ask what to do because she didn't have enough PTO to cover more than yesterday. Her boss told her to see a doctor and submit a request for time off with a doctor's note. So she saw her doctor yesterday afternoon and she signed a note for her. She also gave her an "official" covid test which later that night came back as negative as well.


This morning her fever is apparently gone but it doesn't feel to her like it's gone she still feels very warm and chilly at the same time. She took today off work too but accumulated 1 point for the day because she didn't have enough pto to cover more than yesterday. After her request is approved those points will go away but at 4 and a half points she is in trouble and 6 points she is fired. Please pray that she will get better and hopefully not accumulate 6 points and for her request to be approved. It seems like a cold that's going to be here to stay so please pray. Thank you very much for your prayers.

Scientists say the proteins present in whole-milk plain yogurt act to neturalize the smell and snuff out the sulphur-based compounds that cause the lingering smell from eating garlic.

The researchers feel confidant in their findings, and encourage garlic lovers to wolf down a yogurt for desert after eating garlic bread or a chicken kiev.

Dr. Sheryl Barringer, senior author of the study and a professor of food science and technology at Ohio State University in the United States, has previously investigated other foods to deduce whether they too can rid odors from the breath.


Among the foods already shown to combat garlic breath are lettuce, apples, milk, and mint. It’s interesting to note that culinary styles that use a lot of garlic like those in India and the Near East typically also make use of mint and yogurt more so than do culinary styles in the West.

Dr. Barringer and Manpreet Kaur, a first author of the study and a Ph.D. student in Dr. Barringer’s lab, placed equal amounts of raw garlic in glass bottles, ensuring the cluster of offending sulphur-based volatiles were released in concentrations that would be detected by the human nose.


They used the analytical tool of mass spectrometry to measure the levels of the volatile molecules in gaseous form which were present both before and after each treatment.

The researchers found that yogurt alone reduced nearly all (99%) of the major, odor-producing raw garlic volatiles.

Continued below.

Matthew 7:13-14 ESV


The Narrow Way

If something is narrow, it is limited. It is restricted. It is regulated. It is controlled. It has rules we have to follow. It sets boundaries. It says “Yes” to some things but “No” to other things. For it is not a free-for-all, lacking in rules. It imposes guidelines. And a limit or a boundary is a point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or pass. And it has consequences for those who cross those limits or boundaries.

And a gate is a door or a passageway into something. It is an entrance into something or somewhere. And what gate are we talking about here? What is this gate to? It is the gate or the way to salvation from sin, eternal life with God, and the kingdom of heaven. And in John 10:7 we read where Jesus said that he was that door. And in John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

But it is not restricted to just the fact that Jesus is the only way. But the way which Jesus provides for us to enter into his heavenly kingdom is restricted by him, for it sets boundaries, and it has consequences depending upon which gate we decide to enter – the narrow one or the wide (broad) one. And the way provided for us is first of all through Jesus’ death and resurrection, so by God’s grace, but also through God-given faith in him.

So what does this faith look like? First of all, the word means to be persuaded, i.e. to be persuaded by God. And what does God persuade us to do? He persuades us as to his holiness and righteousness, and of our sinfulness, and of our need to repent of (turn from) our sins and to now follow him in obedience to his ways. And he persuades us to live holy lives, pleasing to him, and to no longer walk in sin.

[Romans 1:18-32; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Luke 9:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23; Acts 26:18; John 6:44; Titus 2:11-14]

Also, the faith to believe in Jesus Christ does not come from ourselves. It is gifted to us by God, and it is not of our own doing, not of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of the will of God. In fact, Jesus is the author and the perfecter of this faith which comes from God and which is not of our own doing. Therefore this faith is going to submit to him as Lord, and surrender to the will of God, and obey our Lord’s commandments (New Covenant).

[Hebrews 12:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-10; John 1:12-13; John 6:44]

And then we read in the Scriptures that Jesus died that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, and that he died so we would now live for him and no longer for ourselves. He shed his blood for us on that cross to buy us back for God (to redeem us) out of our lives of living in slavery to sin so that we will now honor the Lord with our lives via walks of obedience to him and via living holy lives pleasing to him, and by no longer walking in sin.

[1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:15; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 6:1-23]

So, what boundary lines does Jesus lay down for us that he says we cannot cross over? Well, first of all, when we enter into this narrow gate, we are crucified and buried with Christ in death to sin, and we are raised with him to walk in newness of life in him, no longer as slaves to sin, but now as slaves to God and to his righteousness. So we are to no longer obey sin, for if we do, it will lead to death, not to life eternal (Romans 6:1-23).

Instead, we are to obey God and his commandments under the New Covenant, and sin must no longer be our practice. For if sin is still our practice, and if obedience to God is not our practice, the Scriptures teach us that we do not know God, we are not born of God, we are of the devil, and we will not inherit eternal life with God. It doesn’t mean we are perfect people, but obedience to our Lord, and not sin, must be our practice.

[Matt 7:21-23; Lu 9:23-26; Jn 6:35-58; Jn 15:1-11; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; 1 Co 6:9-10; 2 Co 5:10; Gal 5:16-21; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:5-11; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6; 1 Jn 3:4-10; Heb 10:23-31; 1 Co 10:1-22; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; 1 Pet 1:17-21; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15]

And that is why it says here that “the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

The Broad Path


So, what does it mean if the gate is wide? It is all-inclusive, not exclusive, unlimited, not limited. It is wide-ranging, which is the opposite of narrow. So it is also all-embracing. This is the modern altered and diluted “gospel” message which is telling people that all they have to do is to “believe” (rarely defined), and now all their sins are forgiven, heaven is their eternal destiny, no one can take it away from them, but regardless of how they live.

So it gives its adherents permission to keep on living in sin, only now without having to feel guilty for their sin. And should they begin to feel guilty for their sin, they are being told to just “Claim who you are in Christ,” regardless of the fact that, biblically speaking, they are not in Christ, and that, biblically speaking, most of what they are claiming does not apply to them. For all of God’s promises have conditions.

And we aren’t something just because we claim that we are. There needs to be evidence that we are what we claim to be. I can claim I am a chicken all day long, but that will never make me a chicken. So we don’t become children of God solely on a basis of making a confession that we are that. For in 1 John 1:5-10 we read that if we say we have fellowship with God but we still walk (in conduct) in darkness (sin), we are liars, not truth tellers.

And we read in 1 John 2:3-6 that if we say that we know God, but we do not obey his commandments, in practice, that we are liars. And then we read in 1 John 3:4-10 that whoever practices righteousness is righteous and whoever practices sin is of the devil, for no one born of God makes a practice of sinning. So, if we do not practice righteousness, we are not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother or sister.

So, if you are believing that you can just make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, and now you are good to go, but while you continue in deliberate and habitual sin against God, and against your fellow humans, then you will not inherit eternal life with God. But if you believe in Jesus Christ, and you die to sin, and you follow him in obedience, in holy living, and not in sin, then you have the hope of eternal life with God, provided that you stay the course.

[Same noted Scriptures as in the section above.]

Seek the Lord

An Original Work / July 20, 2012
Based off Isaiah 55

“Come to Me all you who thirst; come to waters.
Listen to Me, and eat what’s good today,
And your soul will delight in richest of fare.
Give ear to Me, and you will live.
I have made an eternal covenant with you.
Wash in the blood of the Lamb.”

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him.
Let the wicked forsake his way, in truth.
Let him turn to the Lord, and he will receive mercy.
Freely, God pardons him.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,”
declares the Lord, our God.

“My word that goes out of My mouth is truthful.
It will not return to Me unfulfilled.
My word will accomplish all that I desire,
And achieve the goal I intend.
You will go in joy and be led forth in peace.
The mountains will burst into song… before you,
And all of the trees clap their hands.”

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What do you think would happen if they actually attempted this?

Hamas has fired rockets into Israel

Psalms 63:1-8 ESV


This is the prayer of someone who loves the Lord Jesus, who earnestly seeks after the Lord and his ways, in truth, and not in pretense. [And I am just going to say “she” here since I am a she, but you can put in “he” if you are a he.] In truth, she hungers and thirsts for the Lord and for his righteousness. She wants to know his ways, because she wants to follow his ways. Her heart’s desire is to do the will of the Lord and to not follow after the flesh.

Because she loves the Lord, and because she is so appreciative of what he has done for her, she praises him, she gives honor to him, she reveres him, and she follows his lead in whatever it is he has for her to do or to say or to be. I am certain she is not 100% perfect in every way, but she is following the Lord in obedience, and she is living a holy life, pleasing to him, and she is saying “No!” to sin daily and “Yes!” to God and to his righteousness.

And she is someone who, in truth, thinks about the Lord when she goes to bed at night and when she rises in the morning and even throughout the night any time she is awakened. And she is willing and ready to serve the Lord with her life no matter what time of day or night it is. I am certain that she doesn’t jump for joy anytime she is awakened in the night to get up and to serve the Lord in some way, but she obeys him, even when she is tired.

For the Lord is her Lord. He is Owner and Master of her life, and so her life is committed to him and to his service. She is surrendered to do his will no matter the cost to her personally, and no matter what opposition she might face along the way which will oppose her because of her love for the Lord, and because of her sincerity of devotion to the Lord to do his will. For the Lord is her helper, and so her soul clings to the Lord, and he upholds her.

Psalms 63:9-11 ESV


Those who are committed to the Lord and to serving him with their lives are going to face opposition. That opposition may come from within the gatherings of what is called “church” today, and some of it may come from pastors and from elders and from other professers of faith in Jesus Christ. And some of it could come from people outside of faith in Jesus Christ and from neighbors or co-workers or friends or even from family members.

Some of the strongest opposition to those who are living godly and holy lives, in service to the Lord, will come from those who are the self-indulgent, who are addicted to sin, who are liars, deceivers, manipulators, and tricksters, who behave in unfair and dishonest ways in order to gain advantage over other people. These are people who are in regular pursuit of what is immoral, wicked, dishonorable and corrupt. It is their practice.

These are people who may be professers of faith in Jesus Christ but who are convinced that if they make a profession of faith in Christ that their sins will no longer be held to their account. And so they feel at liberty to continue in sin while claiming Jesus as their Savior, and while claiming heaven as their eternal destiny, and while claiming God’s grace over all their willful, deliberate, habitual and premeditated sins against God and other humans.

And then they lie to cover up their sins, and they play act as though all is well, when it is not well. For they want to present one image of themselves outwardly for others to see while they are living the opposite of what they present. They want others to see them as good, while truly what they are practicing is pure evil. For these are people without conscience, who are hardhearted, and who do not feel guilty for manipulating and tricking others in order to take advantage of their trust. And some of them are pastors.

And many of these people are in positions of power and influence over other people, the people they are taking advantage of, and that they are lying to. So if the righteous person, who loves Jesus, enters into the picture, and that person is serving the Lord, and doing what is right, and is teaching the truth and not the lies, then those who are living wickedly, especially who are lying to the people, will try to bring down that righteous person. For the wicked want to destroy the lives of the righteous.

And so they may lie about the righteous person, and turn others against him or her, and will oppose what he or she is teaching, because the righteous person, in her zeal for the Lord, is speaking truth to the people, and not the lies. And so the liars, whose mission is to take advantage of others, will do whatever they can to destroy the righteous person so that the people will not listen to her but so they will listen to the lies, instead, and so they will follow in the ways of Satan and not in the ways of God.

So, we need to be discerning people. We need to be those who have our armor of God firmly in place all day and night every day of the week, because the enemy is working hard to destroy us who are following the Lord Jesus with our lives, especially those of us on the front lines who are speaking the truth of God’s word in opposition to the lies of the enemy. And we need to not fear what others might do to us, too, but we just need to keep on keeping on in the strength of the Lord in doing what we are called to do for the glory and honor and praise of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Seek the Lord

An Original Work / July 20, 2012
Based off Isaiah 55

“Come to Me all you who thirst; come to waters.
Listen to Me, and eat what’s good today,
And your soul will delight in richest of fare.
Give ear to Me, and you will live.
I have made an eternal covenant with you.
Wash in the blood of the Lamb.”

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him.
Let the wicked forsake his way, in truth.
Let him turn to the Lord, and he will receive mercy.
Freely, God pardons him.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,”
declares the Lord, our God.

“My word that goes out of My mouth is truthful.
It will not return to Me unfulfilled.
My word will accomplish all that I desire,
And achieve the goal I intend.
You will go in joy and be led forth in peace.
The mountains will burst into song… before you,
And all of the trees clap their hands.”

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One psalm comes to mind when thinking of imprecatory passages. It is, in the KJV, Psalm 137

Psalms 137:4-9 KJV

How is a Christian to explain those words to a person who has expressed interest in Christ but who has read the psalm and has questions about it?

Gal 1:4 reads The One having given Himself for our sins , so that He might RESCUE / EXAIREO us from out of the present EVIL AGE , according to the will of God , even our Father .

#1 WHO / HO is a DEFINITE ARTICLE , in the GENITIVE CASE , in the SINGULAR

#2 GAVE / DIDOMI is in the AOTIST TENSE , called the past tense , in the ACTIVE VOICE , PARTICIPLE , GENITIVE CASE , in the SINGULAR .

#3 HIMSELF / HEAUTO , is a REFLEXIVE PRONOUN , in the ACCUSUCATIVE CASE , in the SIGNULAR

#4 for OUR / HEMON is a PERSONAL POSSESSIVE PRONOUN in the GENITIVE CASE , in the PLURAL .

#5 , SINS / HAMARTIA in the GENITIVE CASE in the PLURAL

#6 He might DELIVER / EXAIREO , is in the AORIST TENSE , MIDDLE VOICE , in the SUBJUNCATIVE MOOD which means He will come when He chooses in the SINGULAR .

This is just another verse saying Christ is COMING BACK for US , the BODY OF CHRIST .

And we should all know that there NEVER has been a word in the bible called the RAPTURE , PERIOD !!

And another word for his COMING/ PAROUSIA for the BODY OF CHRIST is in 2 Thess 2:1 !

dan p

The bible says call no man fool, and yet fool is in the bible over 99 times.
Is the ancient translation different? Is the word it uses for fool in greek/hebrew a different word for fool when it says call no man fool than it is the other 99 times it is mentioned?

Does this simply mean don't call anyone fool to their FACE. Or does it mean don't call anyone a name with 'hatred' in your heart? or is it a double standard? Does God hold the right to call people fool, and WE don't ?

OKLAHOMA CITY — A federal judge in Tulsa declined to stop a new law from taking effect that makes it a felony crime for health care workers in Oklahoma to provide gender-transition medical care to young transgender people.

So, Luke 6:25; can someone explain?
If someone is happy with their life does that mean that they will be woeful later? For example I am well fed, will hunger later?
I am “rich” in multiple ways…have I already received my comfort?

It worries me. I hope I make sense.

God bless you all. Also, my husband and I just had our baby. Glory to God.

Pratt recounted that he told Trump during their conversation that Australia should buy submarines from the U.S., and an excited Trump "leaning" toward Pratt as if to be discreet, told him two pieces of information about American submarines, ABC reported, citing the anonymous sources.

You're going to hear more and more fake news, like never before, in order to distract away from Joe (Joe just reversed course on a border wall) and to smear President Trump. Elitists are furious at people who don't automatically vote for Democrats. If they can get away with electing Joe, when Joe has created so many disasters, they can get away with anything.