Carl Emerson said:

Sadly you didn't see fit to process the issue I raised from Scripture but doubled down into your thesis.

Wisdom and reason go hand in hand (James 3) Some can reason around what they believe is the Truth and some can't.

One therefore questions the validity of teaching that is presented with tunnel vision incapable of discussion.

The Church was given authority to retain sins (render them unforgiven) you don't seem to want to engage in conversation about this.

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I did and addressed your improper use and misunderstanding of scripture.

Desk trauma said:

Imagine what she could have unleashed had she been unmonitored when we attacked the homeland where he allegiances assuredly remain. Time to intern the Iranian "Americans" for the duration.

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Good thing there are so many concentration camps being built. What a lucky coincidence.

Jan001 said:

For SDA members:

Jesus Christ prophesied that heaven and earth would pass away.

Do all SDA members believe that this prophecy has already been fulfilled, or are they still waiting for its fulfillment?

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heaven and earth are still here last time I looked outside
Rev 21:1-2 points to a time of the new heavens and new earth, that happens after the literal 1000 years of Rev 20, after the great white throne judgment event of Rev 20 is ended.

Richard T said:

I am not as convinced as most in here. There is nothing wrong with Christians involved in politics, business, wealth etc. The wrong comes from bad motives, not these endeavors. Where MAGA goes off the rails is that it is not about helping the poor, it clearly favors the rich. It certainly is not about helping minorities, or loving neighbors. And America first is a pure disaster, since biblically the first shall be last. MAGA is ironic though because it will be shown to fail allowing the humility to be birthed that can heal a nation.

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So you don't agree that prosperity is in God's hands?

Always in His Presence said:

wow all caps and no proof - must be important

Fact check:
This appears to be a satirical or hyperbolic claim that is not factually accurate on multiple levels:
~From Claude

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CLAUDE IS HALLUCINATING. I USE ONLY THE BEST PROMPTS WITH SUPERIOR AI ENGINES! MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT CLAUDE -- VOICE CHOKED WITH EMOTION -- MADE A GAVIN NEWSOM MEME SO DANK THAT THREE DATACENTERS IN TEXAS WERE IMMOLATED. SUCH DISASTERS WILL NOT OCCUR WHEN PRESIDENT NEWSOM ENACTS SANE ENVIRONMENTAL REFORMS OF ROGUE AI. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.

Michie said:

Some people believe the Bible tells us the earth is flat too…

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The ones I know follow teachers

essentialsaltes said:

Agreed. The story is about what Huckabee said, not what Israel may or may not do.

'It would be fine if the Southern states enslaved illegal immigrants.'

Please note that no states have suggested they will enslave illegal immigrants.

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It would be nice to have an ambassador with US interests at heart dealing with our “ ally”.

Perpetual Student said:

I have a question, for anyone who wants, not specifically for Wing2000:
Can Trump renew these tariffs immediately after the 150 days are expired?
Can we see perpetually 150 days of tariffs?

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After 150 days, Congress would have to renew them.

RandyPNW said:

As I believe I've told you before, I view this chapter as a summary of the entire book of Daniel,

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.....the entire book of Daniel ? no. Daniel 10, 11, 12 chapters were a vision that Daniel had during the third year of Cyrus, the Persian King.

I am going to start a thread, where we analysis under who's reign Daniel has his visions.

Always in His Presence said:

President Trump Hosts Black History Month Reception​

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE REASONS I WAS SO HIGH ON SCOTT TURNER IS HE WAS REALLY THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE OPPORTUNITY ZONES, WHICH WAS -- APPLAUSE WHICH DOESN'T GET NEARLY THE THE ATTENTION THAT IT SHOULD, BUT IT WAS BECAUSE PRESIDENT TRUMP REALIZED THAT THE BEST WAY TO GET THINGS DONE IS THROUGH PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND HAVE EVERYBODY WITH SKIN IN THE GAME. AND IT IS WORKING, AS ARE ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT HE'S BEEN RECOMMENDING. AND AT SOME POINT, AT SOME POINT, THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA WILL RECOGNIZE THAT YOU DON'T POLITICIZE EVERYTHING. YOU OPEN YOUR EYES AND YOUR EARS AND YOU LOOK AND YOU SEE WHAT WORKS AND YOU DEAL WITH THAT. BUT THE BEST THING ABOUT SCOTT, HE'S GOT A LOT OF ENERGY. LAUGHTER YOU KNOW, I'M AN OLD MAN NOW. I'LL BE 75 ON MY NEXT BIRTHDAY. APPLAUSE AND I'M NOT LIKE PRESIDENT TRUMP. HE JUST GOES FOREVER. LAUGHTER

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Ben Carson's speech transcript is being quoted here - if anyone was wondering what this wall o'text is about. Why this? Who knows!

fhansen said:

And this is where the waters start getting muddy. Are they not in sin because they're truly overcoming sin, or because of some ethereal vicarious sinlessless? The church fought this battle eons ago, with the very early church actually on the side of no repentance possible for those who fell back into obvious serious sin after turning from the world and becoming Christian-basically the opposite position from that of many today even though Scripture can appear to support this rigoristic view in various places. Soon, however, based on a deeper understanding of God's mercy, love, and purpose, the church began to teach that, while we'll continue to sin, absolute perfect sinlessness is not expected in this life and yet wanton, grave sin-sin that strikes directly and harmfully against love of God and neighbor and destroys love in us, will, by its nature, cut us off from Him, will kill us.

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The waters are not muddy. They are sinless for a reason. It is how God gets the people that He wants. Romans 3:25 God did not punish the OT people for the sins. Let's see why and how this works.

Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. NKJV

Paul is not the only one sold under sin, God made flesh and blood to be addicted to sin. He did this in order to get beings that will love, praise, adore and love Him. He wanted true love not just hollow emotion. He is not going to punish us for being exactly what He made us to be, sinners. But at the same time, He will do all that He has said that He would do. He cannot break His word or not do what He has said He will do.


His plan of salvation is to redeem those who will fellowship and obey Him out of love. The end product of the plan of salvation will produce spiritual beings that will have a strong emotional attraction to love, obey and be near Him. At the same time God does not want to unduly punish those who were just doing what they were made to do, which is sin.

The first step is to define what He will judge people for. As can be read from the gospels Jesus could do nothing for them unless they had faith that He was who He was. That faith was hidden in the OT. It is brought to the light in the NT. To have faith in Him they had to believe that He was the messiah. God clearly defines what He judges people for.


Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. NKJV

God's plan is to impute righteousness to those who have faith. To do this and be just to those in the OT, He did not punish anyone in the OT for their sins. The flood, Sodom and Gomorrah were not done as punishment for the people's sin. Unchecked sin could have upset His plan of salvation. Sin can grow exponentially if left unchecked.

Numbers 15:32-36, Numbers 16:31-40 does God lie? Paul said in Romans above that God did not punish people for their sin in the OT, yet these scriptures, and many others in the OT scriptures clearly show that God did something when His people sinned. I know that God does not lie, those examples were made for us to learn from. God will discipline His people who do not walk in the Spirit. He also must not let sin grow and ruin His plan. We have a choice, believe God is a liar, as Satan claims, or accept His word as truth when we cannot explain some events. If we can explain everything, it would not be faith. I believe God.

2 Corinthians 5:19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. NKJV

What God did in Romans for the OT people He does in the NT. God did not punish those in the OT for their sins. Acts 10:43 He made righteous the people who believed Him. Romans 8: 3 God makes it clear that it is sin in the flesh that he condemns. God does not impute sins to anyone in the New Testament. People in the flesh are sinning. It is a person's flesh that keeps them from entering God's kingdom. Those who enters His kingdom must be born of the Spirit. Only those who believe God are born from above.


Therefore, everyone who believes is born from above. This new spirit man and the Spirit of Jesus must be separate from the flesh and it must kept from being in sin as sin corrupts all that it touches. Romans 8: 4 if we stay in the Spirit, God will fulfill the requirement of the law of sin and death. The law of s/d states if you sin you die. God fulfills the law to keep us alive by not imputing sin to us. If God does not impute sin to us we are not sinners and the spirit man is not in sin.


By what mechanism, rule or law does He not impute sin to us? Hebrews 9:27 God deems that we have died with Jesus by keeping us in His Spirit. Because Jesus died and we are in a dead man, we have died with Him. The law of s/d states if you sin you die. We have been judged when Jesus died if we die physically in Him. God keeps us in Jesus as long as we obey Jesus' convictions thereby fulfilling the law of s/d.


If you will read Revelation 2: 21-2 and 1Corinthians 11: 30 Jesus convicts us by telling us to quit our sins or he will make us sick, go through great tribulation then die if we do not repent and work, with Jesus, to put to death the sin(s) of the flesh. We have the option of continuing to accept His help and put the sin to death or not accept discipline. If we accept discipline we can either put the sin to death by going to sleep under discipline or repent and work with Jesus to put it to death. If we take the option to accept discipline we have passed from death to life. From then on, we are expected to do the works prepared for us to stay in the Spirit.

If we do not accept discipline the Father will prune the vine by cutting us off the vine. We will continue in lawlessness till we die physically and go to hell.

Point Break

I always wondered why the drawings of Daniel Boone and early settlers showed giant trees. They seemed to be in an area that was nothing like the Appalachians that I understood. I always chalked it up to greedy lumber companies cutting them all down. But this is amazing history and a warning of the damage one could create by importing foreign plants and seeds. We are even carful these days with taking cut wood across state lines. We have many foreign species in the great lakes. Pine beetles are everywhere now. For as tough as this planet is, it's eco system is sometimes very fickle.

Login to view embedded media

They say that the American chestnut was amazing for railroad ties, constructing fences, houses. Very durable. Some guy got the idea to import some Asian Chestnut tree seeds for some reason. Maybe they grew faster, I don't remember, but I'm pretty sure it's in the video. With those Asian seeds came the fungus that the Asian Chestnut was immune to, but the American Chestnut was wiped out by it.

essentialsaltes said:

They are debating legislation. This is the legislative means. Maybe if the Republicans had been more willing to talk before the deadline arrived, this could have been avoided. But Speaker Johnson kept the House adjourned.

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The bills were already passed in the house through bi partisan vote - maybe if the Democrats would stop using the American Public hostage the Senate could pass what Speaker Johnson has already had passed in the house.

The funding for ICE was passed in the Big Beautiful Bill - that is why this latest temper tantrum has no effect on their funds.

The Republican asked for what the Democrats negotiating points we and almost immediately agreed to the body cam - for ICE - the one that is fully funded.

The ones who call themselves the 'adults in the room' stamped their foot and said unless they get everything they asked for they are not budging - that is not negotiations - that is hold citizens ransom.

Akita Suggagaki said:

Are you aware of any actual substantial evidence? We can always question anything, especially when we lose. I am all for finding the truth. I no longer have a favorite side or party. But just because a process changes dies not make it suspicious.

Trump and his inner circle, especially Stephen Miller, Pam Bondi, and Kristi Noem are just bad for democracy. Be very cautious about what they call patriotism. I think even Republicans are beginning to see that.

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You may be politically neutral but I can safely guess that you get your news from liberal/progressive news sources. I love Miller, Bondi, and Noem because all 3 have served well. Saying they are "bad for democracy" sounds terribly biased, since they are all strong conservatives who wish to retain the traditional constitutional definition of democracy, as opposed to the more nuanced definition given by liberals who favor illegal allien participation in the census and in the voting process.

There have been efforts underway in determining how far the election corruption existed in the Georgia election in 2020. That it existed is beyond question. You just won't find how extensive it was unless you allow intense examination. And that is being prohibited or obstructed. Those who obstruct may think it's "bad for democracy" to allow careful scrutiny of compromised elections?

Valletta said:

“Islam [is] a religion built upon a narrative of migration,” Mamdani declared. “The story of the Hijra reminds us that Prophet Muhammad … was a stranger too, who fled Mecca and was welcomed in Medina.” He then universalized the narrative into a binding civic command: “The obligation is upon us all … to look out for the stranger.”

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This is rife throughout the Judeo-Christian-Islamic, aka Abrahamic, religions. You might fairly decry the lack of Humanist, Hindu, Buddhist, etc. input, but "look out for the stranger" is not considered divisive by most people.

Valletta said:

In this framework, federal enforcement is not lawful authority but cruelty. Immigration officers become “masked agents, paid by our own tax dollars,” who “violate the Constitution and visit terror upon our neighbors.”

Mamdami Demands U.S. Immigration Policy Start Obeying Islam

This is not compassion. It is the systematic replacement of citizenship with dependency and sovereignty with moral coercion.

thefederalist.com

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The problem is that the current DHS enforcement is all too often not lawful authority but cruelty and domestic terrorism.

Valletta said:

Twenty people have already died because of Mamdani. They were left out on the streets and froze to death. That's not compassion in my book nor looking out for the stranger.

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This has no relation to the first part of your argument. There has always been a tenuous balance between nanny state interference with individual rights - who gets to decide what is best for any given individual? During the recent deep freeze of the east coast killed people who were not homeless but in residences. But since he is mayor, it must be his fault? Because he is Muslim, this is the fault of Islam?

Aldebaran said:

Or you could wait for three more years in hopes that a Democrat becomes president, and then you can blame him for Epstein's behavior.

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I tried blaming Trump for his own behaviours but you guys don't like that either.

Anyway, is that how long it would take posters to answer this question?

Aldebaran said:

Maybe they should have planned on buying parts from the United states instead of from overseas where they would get hit with tariffs.

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Parts that you don't make?

timothyu said:

However Christians forget that the land and people were set aside as God's while the rest of the nations and people were once under the total control of elohim who eventually became adversarial to the will of God also.

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The Bible speaks of powers and principalities, but I don't see, that G-d had never relinquished the nations as if they had fallen from His dominion. He has chosen Israel in a special way, but the nations remain in His hand and are the target of His mission (Isa 49:6; Mt 28:19).

timothyu said:

We are at a point where the land is Holy ground, but not the people. All must choose. The land represents a battle that concerns far more than us. Adversity.

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Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. Ex 19:5-6

Yes, Israel and the land belong to G-d.

In these two verses, election and covenant obedience stand side by side.

Paul says about Israel:

For the gifts and calling of G-d are without repentance. Rom 11:29

This is not linked to current obedience. G-d stands by His choice.

Obedience brings blessings, disobedience brings judgment. Israel can be unfaithful as G-d's covenant people and be under judgment without G-d revoking His election.

That is why Paul can say at the same time:

G-d hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to G-d against Israel saying, Rom 11:2

and

blindness in part is happened to Israel, Rom 11:25b

The Jewish people remain G-d's chosen people even in their unbelief. Many live without faith in the Messiah, which Paul calls blindness in part. This hardening is temporary and part of G-d's plan to reach the nations (Rom 11:11-12 .25-26).

During this time, G-d is gathering His people from all nations into Christ. In the end, He will fulfill His promises to Israel.

Those who are in Christ are holy in the full sense (1 Pe 2:9; Eph 2:13-22). Israel's election remains valid, even if its national, political form is not automatically holy in the covenant sense. I would therefore say: Israel remains G-d's special people, but full covenant holiness will only become visible in the future turning point (all Israel shall be saved Rom 11:26b).

In biblical terms, land and people are inextricably linked. Paul puts up an unmistakable stop sign against any form of rejection of Israel

I say then, Hath G-d cast away his people? G-d forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. G-d hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to G-d against Israel saying, Rom 11:1-2

This holiness is not based on moral perfection, but on separation by G-d. A blanket denial of the holiness of the people as opposed to the land would neglect G-d's ongoing covenant with the people of Israel.

Even in times of unfaithfulness, Israel remained holy because G-d had reserved it as the vessel for His Word, His covenants, and the Messiah. The people are holy so that the Messiah could come through them and so that G-d's faithfulness to them would be visible worldwide.

Paul fights passionately for Israel to remain G-d's beloved and chosen people, even in their state of partial hardening.

timothyu said:

Change is necessary to overcome an addiction to self-serving ideals that run contrary to the Kingdom.

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This "addiction to self-serving ideals" affects both the Jewish people and Christianity, but in different ways. The Jews have a zeal of G-d, but not according to knowledge. A Christian faith that rejects Israel ultimately loses its own core: grace. In the end, G-d brings both to the same point:

For G-d hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. Rom 11:32

Bradskii said:

The culture where I live considers that paying 0.04% of your worth to live where you want is not worth considering.

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It's 5% not four - and it is partially based on unrealized gains

An unrealized gain happens when something you own goes up in value, but you haven’t sold it.

Example:

• You buy stock for $100 million.
• It grows to $300 million.
• You haven’t sold it.

That $200 million increase is an unrealized gain — it's “on paper,” not cash in your bank account.

Under current U.S. federal tax law:

• You generally do not pay tax until you sell (realize) the gain.
• Once you sell, you pay capital gains tax.

Under the wealth tax you have to pay 5% of the 300,000,000 worth - 15,000,000 that you have not received as of yet.

We are speaking of the top tier - investors -

They purchase an apartment complex for 10,000,000.00 - spend 2,000,000 getting it ready, pay the taxes involved along with paying tax on the income from the apartments - in five years the property has a value of 25,000,000 - the state will tax you $1,250,000 and give you exactly zero benefits in return.

Go back to Spielberg - his bill will be $355,000,000 and he will receive nothing in return, because he already owns his wealth and pay taxes on it. When he goes to sell his wealth he will be taxed again.

Picture of the US taken by the NOAA Goes East satellite today. You can compare it to the weather prediction website and map.

https://cdn.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GO...22041_GOES19-ABI-CONUS-GEOCOLOR-2500x1500.jpg

tall73 said:

If she invited being tested by Scripture, why do you object if people do? She is not here to discuss with anymore. We are still looking at the question.

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I’m not objecting to testing her with Scripture — she invited that. What I objected to was removing historical and literary context and then claiming contradiction, or not quoting her entirely which changes the context.

fhansen said:

The reason we have all the different denominations and for most of the various teachings is because of reliance on Scripture alone. All of those differences result from people sincerely believing they have the right understanding of it.

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You're only half right.

In most of Christianity, there is a sort of battle between scripture and tradition, as to which one is superior. The answer is neither. We are to be dependent upon The Holy Spirit.