Uniting

[strikerchris0411]

Striker,

I think I follow your logic, but is it supported biblically?

My understanding of the chronology that will/is leading up to the End Times (to use the doctrinal title) is that the church will become divided against itself and more and more distant from its primary function (the church of Laodocia from Revelation 3), but the really important next thing to be looking for is the 'Church of Philidelphia' - the true brotherhood of believers as the followers of Christ DO unite to do the things that Christ wants! Of course the sadness for the world is that as that happens we(or at least I am) are expecting the Rapture that will take all true believers to heaven ahead of the tribulation!

Now I know that there are at least two other interpretations of the sequence of the end times, the Rapture and the Tribulation etc, and I'm also very aware that this is one of the issues that has divided the church in the past, so I am not in any way trying to suggest that everyone needs to believe the same way that I do. All I will leave you with is the words of Christ - Stay awake and be ready!

Pete

I don't know if it is supported biblically, I was just trying to say what I believed it was. I don't think Jesus (and I could be wrong) wanted the Church to be divided.

You got to ask yourself though "Do you think the Church is growing farther apart from itself and its primary function"

BTw Sorry I have been away for so long, just moved to North Carolina and have been trying to adjust to the change. Freezing up here lol ( I am from Florida big change"

 

[pete56]

I don't know if it is supported biblically, I was just trying to say what I believed it was. I don't think Jesus (and I could be wrong) wanted the Church to be divided.

You got to ask yourself though "Do you think the Church is growing farther apart from itself and its primary function"

BTw Sorry I have been away for so long, just moved to North Carolina and have been trying to adjust to the change. Freezing up here lol ( I am from Florida big change"

Striker

I am not sure I would describe the Church as growing further apart, rather I would describe it as not making the effort to grow closer!

The issue here is really that churches are becoming insular and exclusive rather than open and welcoming (and yes I do know that is not the universal picture!).

As I see it the traditional churches do not 'need' any help from other churches and the newer churches are only interested in growing their congregations by what ever means - often draining the traditional churches. And the unchurched just see dis unity!

Pete

 

[Rick Otto]

it is a UNIVERSAL disunity.
We are one in our ignorance
If we all had the humility to unite on that, we'd go far.
A lot more casseroles would get served & appreciated.
That's gotta be a good thing.

Pete, I like your take.
You seem to see & state both sides well.

 

[If Not For Grace]

but the really important next thing to be looking for is the 'Church of Philidelphia' - the true brotherhood of believers as the followers of Christ DO unite to do the things that Christ wants!

IMHO we are a ways off from this--it's going to be awhile folks.

 

[pete56]

IMHO we are a ways off from this--it's going to be awhile folks.

Sister, you may well be right! But it pays to be ready, just in case we don't know as much as we think!

Pete

 

[If Not For Grace]

Yes to be ready--All I'm saying is we have alot to do--we will likely run out of time indeed--we are nowhere NEAR ready.

Do you think the Church is growing farther apart from itself and its primary function"

You bet it is--When there are homeless, people, Hungary people and families in disrepair and church youth groups are going on ski trips to vail and we rely on the GOVERNMENT to house, feed and educate, entirely on its own..we are screwing up.

Let us feed the poor---and "teach people to fish" we can start there. Let's give people a hand up rather than handouts.

Surely we can agree it is our job to help do this. Or Not?

 

[pete56]

Well Dyanm, you can sign me up in your social justice campaign!

Pete

 

[Rick Otto]

She might send you to Hungary!

Love ya, Dy.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Dyanm is right, or rather Scripture is right, and Dyanm agrees.

Yet, in churches where the Scripture was brought up by children of the pastor, deacons, members whoever..... guess what the church controllers did ?

...... they said no. No, to Scripture. No, to G_d's Word.

 

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

Social Justice? Or common sense.

Who was it that said, "if a country has nukes and poverty, it should be ashamed" ?