> General Discussions
Attending Church
Abednego:
--- Quote from: largeli on August 22, 2014, 11:09:13 AM ---
--- Quote from: Dave in Tenn on August 21, 2014, 11:43:32 PM ---Could be, Largeli. But there is a VERY practical problem with that observation: One man's 'worldly deception' is another man's 'reasonable conclusion'. I see it everywhere, and trust me, we'd see it here too if we let it.
--- End quote ---
Dave I'm not sure I understand, could you give an example? If you don't want to reply here could you pm me?
--- End quote ---
Largeli, we do see it here. You just need to read all the words. That being said, I can't imagine what is being kept from us.
And no, I won't point anything out, because we're all at a different level of growth.
**Edit***
Actually, I can think of a non volatile example. Look at any locked topic on voting.
John from Kentucky:
Ask an accountant what 2 + 2 is, and he'll say 4.
Ask a theoretical mathematician what 2 + 2 is, and he'll say approximately 4.
Ask a lawyer what 2 + 2 is, and he'll say, "What do you want it to be?" ;D
Jesus said His kingdom is not of this world. Those who have His Spirit, do what Jesus would do at this time. We pay our taxes because He told us to, we render to Caesar what is Caesar's.
We do not fight or involve ourselves in wars because He said those who take the sword will die by the sword.
We do not vote or involve ourselves in politics because we already have a King Who has our sole allegiance.
And of course, we have nothing to do with false religion, which deceives just about all on the earth except for a small, small few. We cannot abide spiritual idiocy.
That's just the way it is. No compromise with those opposed to the Great King. We take no prisoners. The King Himself will restore all things at the appointed times.
Dave in Tenn:
Largeli, it only matters a little bit what 'standards' BT forum applies. Our 'standards' are in the rules.
Jesus said, 'Be ye perfect, even as your Father is heaven is perfect.' We're not yet.
One of the happiest verses in all scripture to me is, "There is ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM." He is Judge, and all His judgments are RIGHT, because He knows the motives of our hearts. Every individual stands to give account, and every 'work' will be judged, whether good or bad.
"Stopping going to church" may not be the highest 'good work'. Lots of people 'stop going to church' and go full-bore into worldliness. I was one of them. My understanding is, that Ray was too. His people are commanded to come out of her, lest we partake of her plagues. The "plague" I was partaking in was, above all others, hypocrisy, though there were many others. AT THE VERY LEAST, when I left I stopped being a hypocrite. I didn't stop being a sinner, but I stopped 'justifying' it and lying to God and to myself. I stopped trying to save myself.. It was very ugly for a long time.
Oddly, Scripture says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I am learning more and more each day that this scripture is TRUE. It actually works...and that faith also helps me not to partake in the plagues of 'theologizing' the truth, and turning the scripture into dry doctrine.
"Coming out of her" also works. Perhaps not completely immediately, quickly and certainly not painlessly, but it works.
"Where two or more are gathered together in His name, there will He be in their midst." That one is for Robby again. You and your dear wife make TWO.
lareli:
Dave I have a question about the 'her' in 'come out of her my people'. Like I said in earlier posts, I agree that it refers to the church to a degree but also refers to the world and worldliness.. In rev 18 after it says 'come out of her' it goes on to describe 'her' plagues. I may be interpreting the rest of rev 18 incorrectly but it describes 'her' after the plagues have come upon her and it says that all the rest of the nations watch the smoke from the fire from afar and it says that they mourn over 'her'. It says the kings and nations mourn 'her' plagues because 'she' used to buy all their stuff and made them rich. It talks about all the goods that she bought which would come by way of ships etc. basically every sailor and ship that got rich from 'her' buying all their merchandise is now going to suffer as a result of 'her' not being in the rich and powerful position that 'she' held before the plagues.
When I read this it sounds like it's describing a nation.. What is the correct way to interpret the versus that describe the plagues as pertaining to the church and not a nation?
Dave in Tenn:
The 'nations' of Christendom conducted the Crusades. The 'nations' of Christendom used the wealth, philosophy, "wisdom" of babylon to build and sustain their power. Empires were built and destroyed on her back. Even today, in this more secular age, the 'god' of the Church is the 'god' of the world...even to atheists! The world knows nothing of the Most High except what the church has said, and taught, and demonstrated.
The world-wide religious establishment is in the world, of the world, informs the world, condemns the world, excuses the world. Every person with every point of view "quotes" the bible to make their point. Babylon the great will fall and the world won't know what to do with itself.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version