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The Kingdom Of God
longhorn:
Jesus could live "on earth" and "in heaven" at the same time! But carnal men live in the heaven of their minds all the time. Man’s heaven is a place of spiritual delusion; whereas God’s heaven is a place of spiritual enlightenment.
Great statment Kat. What a neat post.
Love in Christ
Longhorn
Joe_Riley:
--- Quote from: graceman on December 20, 2006, 12:45:12 PM ---The Apostle Paul also mentioned being taken up into the third heaven (I believe)...I think this was much the same situation as the Apostle John...it was 'in the spirit'. Anyone have other insights concerning this mentioning of 'heaven'? :)
--- End quote ---
graceman,
Without any scriptural exegesis, I'll just say what I believe, for now.
I think of it as one of the realms that exist alongside and at the
same time as our physical realm. Kind of like another dimension.
Heal Thyself,
Joe Riley
graceman:
I'm following you, Joe...I guess if there's a third heaven (realm) there's probably a first and second. Thanks for your reply. :)
Kat:
Hi longhorn,
I can't take credit for that statement,
that would be from Ray :)
This statement "the kingdom of heaven is at hand' is interesting to me.
Jesus states it 3 times.
Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Mat 10:7 And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Mar 1:15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
We think of the kingdom as a future event, at the end of this age, when Christ returns. But actually for each one of us, it is but a breath away.
Psa 39:5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah.
We should be thinking that at any moment/breath could literally be our last and then we would come face to face with the returning Christ. Is not that what is meant by "I am coming quickly."
Rev 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
And don't we all want to hear-
Mat 25:21 His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.
mercy, peace, and love
Kat
Deborah-Leigh:
Hello Kat
Your comment and question : We should be thinking that at any monment (breath), we could come face to face with the returning Christ. Is not that what is meant by 'the Lord comes as a thief in the night'.
From Ray's Exposing the Secret Rapture Theory.
Quote.....
"... the day of the Lord is as a thief in the night ... you brethren, are not in darkness, that the day [of the Lord] may be overtaking you as a thief"
Why complicate something so simple?
Here then is absolute Scriptural proof that the mention of "the day" in verse 2 and "the day" in verse 4, both come as a thief, and hence are the same day--the day of the Lord:
Whether the Thessalonians are in darkness or not in darkness is not the determining factor as to whether or not the second mention of the day in verse 4, comes as a thief or does not come as a thief. The element of "a thief" is already clearly stated in both verses. Let’s read them:
"... the day of the Lord is as a thief ..." (I Thes. 5:2).
"... that the day may be overtaking you as a thief ..." (I Thes. 5:4).
We can’t remove "the thief" from verse 4 just because its removal would help support a secret rapture theory. Why does this day not overtake the Thessalonians as a thief? Does this Scripture tell us that the reason it doesn’t overtake them is because it doesn’t even come as a thief in the first place? Where do these Scriptures say or even suggest such a thing?
This Scripture plainly tells us why this day doesn’t overtaken the Thessalonians as a thief. The reason this day (which does come as a thief--verse 4), but does not overtake them as a thief, is because, "... you brethren are not in DARKNESS ..."
However, if the Thessalonians were in darkness, then the day of verse 4 would overtake them as a thief! It could not overtake them or anyone else if it didn’t come as a thief in the first place! There it is. It is not whether or not the Thessalonians are in darkness or not that determines whether the day comes as a thief or not. No, it does come as a thief.. The point Paul is making is that it does not overtake them as a thief, and the reason it doesn’t is plainly given: "... you brethren, are NOT in darkness ..."
That, dear reader, is the only reason that this day, the same day as verse 2, which also comes as a thief, does not overtake the Thessalonians--they are NOT in darkness. So therefore, this day (the day of verse 4, the so called "rapture day" of the gentile saints), WILL overtake anyone who IS in darkness, and the reason given is that it too, like the day in verse 2, DOES COME AS A THIEF! There is absolutely no way around the simple truth of this Scripture.
Peace to you
Arcturus :)
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