Why are they "outside of the scope of the forum?"
Because Ray has not taught on this subject, and the purpose of the forum is to talk about the teachings on bible-truths.com.
Micah7:9, your questions are not new. They continue to come up, again and again...we even created an FAQ post about it but the same questions keep coming back. No one here is equipped to teach the symbolism to Revelation, Daniel, Ezekial, & other books of the bible with heavier symbolism.
I remember Dennis told me once: If anyone here was equipped to be a teacher, God will give them their own platform to teach from. And I've come to truly believe that. Hope you understand.
I have read Rays works, and I am seeking what he may have to say about this. I will be upfront and honest, I come to this site to weigh the truth. When I have been givin to understanding and I dont see, it is then that I turn to Ray Smith and those on the forum. When I get lost and I need answers I turn to L. Ray Smith, he does not round the corners of a square room when he cleans.
Again, we have an entire thread dedicated to what Ray has to say about this (
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,11637.0.html). Also, if you really feel the need to 'turn to L. Ray Smith', why don't you simply email your question to him?
Also, I'm going to be upfront and honest: I love all the forum members, but none of them are teachers and will be able to answer all the questions. What makes Kat, Samson, Arcturus, and others so adapt at helping other members is because we are so familiar with Ray's teachings, not because we have some increased spiritual knowledge. We're actually better at telling you what's NOT true compared to teaching something new, and again, that's only because we're so familiar with Ray's work...we know where to look and compare. Again, hope you understand.
agreed micah7:9, agreed. why should this be outside the scope of this forum, and it be suggested you look someplace else outside this forum for more insight?
Claudia,
As I told Micah7:9, because he's looking for answers to subjects that have yet to be taught on bible-truths.com. And I know there are plenty of websites, dedicated, to teaching the symbolism to the books of the Bible mentioned above.
Does it mean they have 'all' the truth? No, but they may help in understanding what different symbols mean. From that point, one could compare notes with what they already understand to be true and see where it takes them. It's just simply doing research, that's all.
which other forum on the whole world wide web has the Truths which are expounded on by ray smith and discussed by the forum members, old and new alike? i mean, really?
And I believe this is where the purpose of the forum becomes skewed. To relay what is already been taught on bible-truths is welcome, to teach anew is not. What Micah7:9 was asking for has not been taught.
We praise God for keeping Ray alive up to this point...perhaps we can exercise patience until Ray gets around to teaching on this subject? I actually think it is telling that God has NOT given Ray the answers to these books. Maybe it's a sign we should be focusing on something else?
What Ray has been teaching lately is about who and what is Jesus and who and what is the Father...and also how their and our relationship is and will be. It is a subject that will never end and gives us insight into what happens when God is 'All in All'. The symbolism in the before mentioned books of the Bible will be fulfilled and done with. But our relationship with God is and will be eternal.
... and we even have some pretty mature, insightful, and loving members who have already posted on this thread, prior to this exhortation to searching some OTHER forum.
claudia
No we don't
(I mean in jest)
Anyone can post scriptures...it takes a great teacher to actually help understand what one is reading. As I said before, I love the members here, but none are equipped to be teachers.
Hope this helps and you both understand,
Marques