Bible Topics and Questions

[kreagle]

Posted by Akasha (here)
Nice music, Kreagle, but you've kind of proved my point regarding chord progressions. The "Revelation Song" above is essentially using the same progression transposed down from F sharp to D with an A minor slipped in for variety. To be fair the phrase does start on the root (D) rather than 2 semi-tones down from the root (E) in the case of "Heaven and Earth" but the cycle though starting in a different place for each tune is, once transposed, essentially the same.

Hey Akasha,

Our Pastor recently made the statement,......."don't be surprised when you find yourself,..... 'tapping your foot',.....'bobbing your head',.....and find your body 'gyrating',......as you randomly hear music being played. God made you that way!" I've heard this same statement, many times before, and completely agree with this assessment.

Along with 'everything else', God made music, also, for His people to enjoy, and it's primary function, ( and role), is to specifically employ it in our worship to Him. Of course, Satan has made it his business to also 'attempt to rob God' of this, too,....and polluted much of the music we hear today, exalting sinful ways and practises among mankind. Make no mistake, Akasha,....music belongs to God,.....as indicated by the Scriptures.

Psalm 24:1 (KJV)

24 The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Everything was made,....by Him,.....and for Him,......and to be used by His people for edification and in our servitude to Him.


Your 'musical expertise' enables you to visualize the 'note progressions' of songs and your salutations are directed towards the 'note'.

My 'spiritual expertise' enables me to recognize the 'progression of the Spirit' in songs and my salutations are directed towards the 'Note-Giver', Himself.


Love and Peace,........kreagle

[kreagle]

From our 'Great Physician',.....The Prescription



To 'many', God's Prescription, for mankind, looks like the image above,....'blank'.

However,....that which is 'not seen by many',.....is 'clearly seen by a few'

The Gospel,........Apostles Doctrine
......what It is,.......who gave It to us,.......why we need It



The Apostle Paul declared, ( or defined), to the Church in Corinth what the exact components of the Gospel were in 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (KJV)

15 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that 1)Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that 2)he was buried, and that 3)he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

These 'exact components' of His,....1) Death,.....2) Burial,......and.....3) Resurrection have 'always' constituted the complete meaning of The Gospel for us. Through His Divine Wisdom, our God already had a 'Plan' ready to 'set in motion', even 'prior to Eve taking that fatal bite of disobedience' in the Garden of Eden. That 'Plan' was Divinely executed at Calvary when the Lamb, ( God, Himself manifested in the flesh),...was sacrificed. It was His personal,.....Death,......Burial,......and.....Resurrection,.....that 'paved the way for you and I' and made it possible for us to, also,.....be victorious over 'death, Hell, and the grave'.


It was through 'these 3 Divine components,....of His Death, Burial, and Resurrection' that God would deliver a 'Mighty Message of Deliverance and Salvation' to 'all of His people' from that point of Calvary and onward. Through His 'Personally,...hand-picked Messengers', ( the Apostles), would come a 'Message' that would enable 'all of humanity' to 'equally' experience their own personal,....death,...burial,.....and.....resurrection! NOT in a 'physical way',......like He did at Calvary,....BUT in a 'spiritual way'!


His 'Plan....and.....Message' came completely together on the Day of Pentecost as He, first, poured out His Spirit on the 120 believers, ( the Apostles, Mary the mother of Jesus, His natural brothers and sisters, and other believers), in the upper room,.......and 'secondly' upon 'those 3,000 souls who accepted and believed' Peter's Message!

Acts 2:36-42 (KJV)

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, 1)Repent, and 2)be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and 3)ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

In verse #38 above we see where God's 'Plan......and.....Message' came completely together!


1) - Repentance

Through 'repentance', mankind is able to 'die out to his/her sinful nature' and be forgiven of such by an Almighty Forgiving God! Repentance is in order 'for every human being',....for no one can claim to be exempt from their sinful nature!

Romans 3:23 (KJV)

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;


Also,.....


Luke 13:1-5 (KJV)

13 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

2) - Water Baptism in Jesus' name

Through 'water baptism in Jesus' name', mankind is able to be buried with Him!

Romans 6:4 (KJV)

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.


Also,.....


Colossians 2:12 (KJV)

12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

3) - Receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost

Through 'receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost', mankind is able to be 'Born again' and walk in the 'newness of life'! The passages quoted above, Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12, equally show that by being 'filled with His Spirit' we are then 'risen with Him',.....( 'spiritually' speaking!) It should be noted, here, that in each case of the Holy Ghost being imparted to the New Testament believers, that 'speaking in other tongues' was always the 'uniform sign' that they 'did, indeed' receive this glorious Biblical experience. This 'new birth experience' will also prepare the 'believer' for the 'ultimate Christian experience',.....THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH!!!

Romans 8:8-11 (KJV)

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.


Also,.....


Ephesians 1:12-14 (KJV)

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

( In Summary )

The Gospel Message is simple as,......1......2......3

1) - Death,...'spiritually fulfilled' by a Godly 'repentance' to Him accompanied by a 'change in direction' from sin,....to....Him! At the 'altar of the Old Testament',..death was a common occurrence as 'sacrifices' were offered to appease for the sins of God's people, Israel. It's at the 'altar of the New Testament', ( now), where we can equally experience a 'spiritual death' to our sinful nature, by thoroughly repenting of our sins.


2) - Burial,...'spiritually fulfilled' by being 'baptized in the name of Jesus Christ',.....'buried with Him',.....and performed by complete immersion in water,....completing the 'burial aspect'.


3) - Resurrection,...'spiritually fulfilled' by 'receiving the infilling of the Holy Ghost' with the evidence of this experience being accompanied by 'speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance'.


The 'Gospel Message', ( as indicated above), is God's only 'Prescription' for the sins of mankind,....and the many satanic maladies that continually endeavor to infiltrate his/her daily lives.

While the 'Prescription of God' remains 'blank' to many,....or obscure, at best,......God enabled, ( and specifically anointed), twelve men to deliver this 'Message', ( and specifically this 'Gospel Message', ONLY!) Acts 2:38 contains the 'three simple components of death, burial, and resurrection ' the Apostle Peter spoke of, at Pentecost, when the Church was born into existence, and set in motion.

Acts 2:37-38 (KJV)

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, 1)Repent, and 2)be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and 3)ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

( Note: In this 'earlier post, #402, I spoke of the 'Scriptural significance' of being specifically baptized in Jesus' name,...ONLY.....and NOT in His Titles of,.....Father.....Son.....and....Holy Ghost! There is a HUGE difference!)

Link: https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...l=1#post606835


The link I have provided fully indicates, ( and Scripturally proves), that the 12 Apostles, ( and the Apostles who followed them), always adhered to this 'same' Gospel Message,....and NEVER strayed from these '3 simple directives' of.....1) repentance,.....2) water baptism in Jesus name,......and.....3) receiving the infilling of the Holy Ghost!

The Apostle Paul even warned, ( very vehemently), about the 'strict adherence' to this Gospel Message,....and the 'consequences' to follow those who strayed, ( or attempted to alter), the Gospel Message in any way!

Galatians 1:6-9 (KJV)

6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

The Apostle Paul 'meant business' about the Prescription/Gospel Message of God! He went to 'great measures' to ensure that It remained 'pure and untainted',.....'unchanged and consistent',.....just like the God that he knew!


God,......His Word,......His Message,......are 'all' the SAME,......( Pure, untainted, unchanged, and consistent!)


Do you trust your 'Great Physician',....His Twelve 'Assistants',......and His Prescription for mankind?


Satanic maladies....Psychic attacks.....Marriage problems/disasters.....Addictions.....Diseases/Illnesses.....Sanity/Unhappiness....'all' come under the 'Authority and control' of God's Prescription for Mankind!


Prescriptions only work when you 'fill them and then ingest/inject them!' Ask your Doctor, if you don't believe me!


And by the way,.......this is the ONLY PRESCRIPTION that He has written for you and I!


God Bless,.....your brother, friend, and servant,.........kreagle

[niki]

could all these 'psychic attacks' really real,..or it's just simply a mere Brain/mind-trick and made-up Imagination/fantasy only?

where is the solid, undeniable Proof(s)?..

[kreagle]

Posted by niki (here)
could all these 'psychic attacks' really real,..or it's just simply a mere Brain/mind-trick and made-up Imagination/fantasy only?

where is the solid, undeniable Proof(s)?..

niki,

I can assure you that those who have been attacked will tell you that it is certainly 'more than Brain/mind tricks!' Sinister forces are definitely in 'full-swing' and the effects are being felt world wide, brother. Remember the passage that I formerly provided.

Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)


12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

There's only 'one way' to combat them,....and to be 'totally' victorious!


Your brother, friend, and servant,.......kreagle

[kreagle]

No Weapon


With all the 'personal attacks' that everyone has revealed they have been undergoing,....there needs to be the realization that we have a God who is more than capable of taking care of us,....in every way possible! The enemy cannot 'outflank us',....he cannot 'outgun us',.....and he certainly cannot defeat us!

Isaiah 54:17 (KJV)

17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=L8I1UBTyQHM

Have confidence in Him, my dear friends!


Your brother, friend, and servant,.......kreagle

[kreagle]

Coincidence?,.......I think NOT!!!


Our 'mid-week Church service', which is conducted on Thursdays, is spent on 'specific teachings', which always prove to be 'very timely' due to what is currently going on in our lives, or current Worldwide events.


We started a 'new topic' two weeks ago.Guess what it is?,...........( Answer: 'Spiritual Warfare')


Based upon the multitude of 'personal Psychic, ( Satanic), attacks', is it any wonder why we are on this 'topic' at this time?


God certainly knows 'what' His children need,......and 'when' we need it!

Matthew 6:7-8 (KJV)

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

What a Mighty God we serve!


Love and Peace,......kreagle

[kreagle]

Hey AwakeInADream,

I had a vision once of the Tri-une light of God and had it telepathically explained to me in pure thought how the 3 are 1, but in my regular conscious state, non of this understanding has filtered through. It is my only hope that one day it will come through, and I will 'know'. I'm waiting for this state of grace that I have only once glimpsed. The vision was so beautiful that I could have lived there for the rest of my life and never needed anything else. Everything I ever wanted to know was contained therein.

There is a 'very valid reason' why 'none of this understanding has filtered through', to this point in your life. The 'trinity concept' has always been problematic to understand, for it's manufactured belief, ( and design), has never been supported by Scriptures. If one will simply go back, far enough, to the inception of Israel, as a nation, you will find that God, ( through Mose's teachings), specifically 'drilled into their hearts and minds' that He was ONE in numerical property. Absolutely nowhere, were the children of Israel allowed to believe in a concept that harbored a 'second,....or third,....persons of the Godhead'.

Deuteronomy 6:4 (KJV)

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:

This basic concept of God remains the same today, AwakeInADream. The Bible does, indeed, inform us of the 'three distinctive roles, ( or offices)', that our 'ONE' God has operated through.

He 'operates and functions' as our FATHER when He created us,....and nurtures us today.

He 'operates and functions' as the SON when He robed Himself in flesh,....and redeemed us at Calvary.

He 'operates and functions' today as the HOLY GHOST when He imparts His Spirit into those who obey His Gospel Message and become 'Born Again' of the water and the Spirit.


It should not be strange, ( or hard to believe), that God can easily operate in '3 distinctive roles' and still retain His numerical property of ONE. Even 'we' do this all the time, every day, in our common lives that we live! I, myself, ( kreagle), am a 'Father', ( for I have three children). I, myself, also am a 'Son' of my earthy parents,....and finally....I, myself, also am 'Spirit' to live on in eternity when this fleshly body expires. Does this mean I am '3 distinctive persons',....as the trinitarian concept teaches? I think not, for I am still 'one in property',.....just like our Lord God is too!

Yes, the Bible clearly states 'there are three that bear record',....as I have indicated above,....but It also clearly states,.....'these three, ( roles, offices, of God), are 'ONE")

1 John 5:7 (KJV)

7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

It's for this specific reason, AwakeInADream, that the Apostles, ( and the Apostolic Church today), baptize 'solely in the name of Jesus Christ'.

When we baptize in the name of 'JESUS',.....we are literally baptizing in 'the name of GOD'!


( Note: In this 'earlier post, I spoke of the 'Scriptural significance' of being specifically baptized in Jesus' name,...ONLY.....and NOT in His Titles of,.....Father.....Son.....and....Holy Ghost! There is a HUGE difference!)

The following are 'actual accounts' of baptism being carried out, per the Scriptures.

(Actual Baptisms performed by the Apostles)

1) Acts 2:37-38,....the "Day of Pentecost"....3,120 souls,...."Church born into existence"!

Acts 2:37-38 (KJV)

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.


2) Acts 8:14-17,....."Church" established in Samaria

Acts 8:14-17 (KJV)

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.


3) Acts 10:43-48,......."gentile believers"....Cornelius and household added to "Church"

Acts 10:43-48 (KJV)

43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

(note.....while it may be pointed out, the KJV, .....does not specifically mention "a name", here,....."all" of these Bible versions,......The New International Version, Revised Version, Amplified Version, Living Bible, Greek Interlinear (the "original" text), Common English Version, Contemporary English Version, English Standard Version, GOD'S WORD Translation, Good News Translation, Holman Christian Standard Bible, J.B. Phillips New Testament, Lexham English Bible, The Message, Mounce Reverse-Interlinear New Testament, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, Worldwide English (New Testament), and Wycliffe Bible,.....DO ALL state,......"in the name of Jesus Christ"!,......It is equally noteworthy to recognize that the Complete Jewish Bible has it recorded, as follows........"48 And he ordered that they be immersed in the name of Yeshua the Messiah. That's "JESUS",.....to you and me!)


4) Acts 19:1-7,......The 12 disciples of John the Baptist re-baptized

Acts 19:1-7 (KJV)

19 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

7 And all the men were about twelve.

We've just now observed "four actual baptismal accounts", in the Scriptures,....by the Apostles,....who "had their understanding opened, that they might understand the scriptures." ( Luke 24:45)

Now,.....let's look at "The Great Commission", given by Jesus, in Matthew Chapter 28.

Matthew 28:16-20 (KJV)

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

It should be especially noted,.....and recognized, here, .....that Jesus wanted "more" out of His Apostles than for them to "merely recite the words", that He spoke and directed to them in this passage! He wanted them to "specify the NAME",......His NAME,.....JESUS,......and "they DID just that",.....they baptized "exclusively" in the name of Jesus,.......EVERY SINGLE TIME !!!.


Look at verse 19, one more time,.......He said,...."in the name,......of the Father,....and.....of the Son,......and......of the Holy Ghost".

A "single" name was to used and "implemented" here,.......AND IT WAS,......by those who understood Him",......they "exclusively" baptized in the name, (singular), of Jesus!,......."fulfilling what Jesus meant in the Great Commission",.....and not "just reciting His words".

The Apostles fully understood,.....that the "name", (singular),.....of the Father,...Son,....and Holy Ghost,......was.......JESUS!


There is absolutely "no baptismal accounts",......ZERO,.......where the Apostles,.....or anyone else,......EVER baptized,.......using "or" reciting,......the phrase,......"in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" To do so would have meant to "exclude" the "actual NAME"!

(In conclusion)


Sadly, in the "face of Scriptural proof",.....there are many who say that it really doesn't matter,.......that "as long as your heart is right",.......any "baptismal formula" will suffice.

"If" that's correct,......why don't we see,....."EVER",..... the Apostles "ever using" an "alternative formula"?

Could it be that they understood there was only one way to "correctly" perform Baptisms?

Could it be that they understood that there would only be "ONE NAME" that could possibly be used in the act of "obtaining one's salvation"?


Could it be that they understood "that name" to be,.........JESUS???


'Whatever you do',......don't exclude the 'name of Jesus!'

Acts 4:10-12 (KJV)

10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

I 'prayerfully' hope this will benefit someone,..........kreagle

[kreagle]

Jesus Said It

John 7:37-39 (KJV)

37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

The following song is 'extremely powerful' and is derived from the above passage of Scripture, in John 7:37-39. Don't let it 'frighten' you, my dear friends!

God 'makes an extreme difference',...in our lives,.....when we 'open the door, widely, to Him!'

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=liuVkzcMo24

As always!,....your brother, friend, and servant,.......kreagle

[kreagle]

The Story of Ling,....( Part 1 of 2)

Once there was an emperor in the Far East who was growing old and knew it was coming time to choose his successor. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or one of his own children, he decided to do something different.

He called all the young people in the kingdom together one day. He said, "It has come time for me to step down and to choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you." The kids were shocked! But the emperor continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today. One seed. It is a very special seed. I want you to go home, plant the seed, water it and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring to me, and the one I choose will be the next emperor of the kingdom!"

There was one boy named Ling who was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly told his mother the whole story. She helped him get a pot and some planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it carefully. Every day he would water it and watch to see if it had grown.

After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.

Ling kept going home and checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by. Still nothing. By now others were talking about their plants but Ling didn’t have a plant, and he felt like a failure. Six months went by, still nothing in Ling’s pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Ling didn’t say anything to his friends, however. He just kept waiting for his seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection.

Ling told his mother that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot. But she encouraged him to go, and to take his pot, and to be honest about what happened. Ling felt sick to his stomach, but he trusted his mother was right. He took his empty pot to the palace.

When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by all the other youths. They were beautiful, in all shapes and sizes. Ling put his empty pot on the floor and many of the other kids laughed at him. A few felt sorry for him and just said, "Hey, nice try."

When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people. Ling just tried to hide in the back.

"My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the emperor. "Today, one of you will be appointed the next emperor!"

All of a sudden, the emperor spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front.

Ling was terrified. "The emperor knows I’m a failure! Maybe he will have me killed!"

When Ling got to the front, the Emperor asked his name. "My name is Ling," he replied.

All the kids were laughing and making fun of him.

The emperor asked everyone to quiet down. He looked at Ling, and then announced to the crowd, "Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!"

Ling couldn’t believe it. Ling couldn’t even grow his seed. How could he be the new emperor?

Then the emperor said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds which would not grow. All of you, except Ling, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it.

Therefore, he is the one who will be the new emperor!"

We must do our best with what we have.

Be faithful in the SMALL things!

There is a great 'Spiritual Application' that can be directly attributed to our society in the story of young Ling, above.

Think about this story and, of course, make any comments/questions about it that you might like to share, here.

Stay tuned,.....for Part 2, my dear brothers/sisters!


God Bless to all!,........kreagle

[kreagle]

Overwhelming Love!

John 13:34-35 (KJV)

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

My 'love' goes much deeper than most of you can imagine,.....I'll explain to you, very soon!

I'll also challenge some of you to verbalize your concept of God's love and how you feel you, personally, need to express it!

Thinking of all you 'guys/gals'!,..........your brother, friend, and servant,......kreagle


P.S.,......I haven't forgotten about our 'conclusion' to the Story of Ling, either!

[AwakeInADream]

Posted by kreagle (here)
Overwhelming Love!

John 13:34-35 (KJV)

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

My 'love' goes much deeper than most of you can imagine,.....I'll explain to you, very soon!

I'll also challenge some of you to verbalize your concept of God's love and how you feel you, personally, need to express it!

Thinking of all you 'guys/gals'!,..........your brother, friend, and servant,......kreagle


P.S.,......I haven't forgotten about our 'conclusion' to the Story of Ling, either!

"verbalize your concept of God's love" LOL! I felt that in my vision too, and there really are no words to describe God's love for us. It goes way beyond emotion, and anything man can hold in his imagination. Perhaps only man's Spirit is capable of perceiving such a thing as it really is?

The love I feel for all mankind is of a very low order by comparison to God's love, but I will always strive to climb higher with it, now I've had a glimpse (by grace) of what real love truly is.

One things for sure, language could never do Gods love justice.

[kreagle]

AwakeInADream,

A very excellent response, brother!

I'll also challenge some of you to verbalize your concept of God's love and how you feel you, personally, need to express it!

In expressing God's love to 'others',.....how do you feel that 'you' need to express it to them, specifically?

As a 'bearer' of the 'Message of Truth',.....what responsibilities do we have as we share this message of His love?


God Bless,.....your brother,.....kreagle

[kreagle]

The Story of Ling, ( continued),.....( Part 2 of 2)


While it may be true that our 'Emperor', ( ie.,...King of kings, Lord of lords), out dates anyone around, you can rest assured that He is in no need of a 'replacement', at any time, nor has He any intentions of giving up His Throne. Other than that,....this particular story has always intrigued me with the many 'spiritual parallels' correlated to the history of mankind.


Young Ling was, formerly, on the 'outside looking in', but all that was about to make a drastic change,...a change that would firmly entrench him in the 'Royal' bloodline.


God has made some very intricate Plans to incorporate His 'chosen' ones into His kingdom, much like our little friend, Ling.

1 Peter 2:9-10 (KJV)

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

What made the King, ( emperor), look specifically in Ling's direction and made him stand out from all the rest of the children was really quite simple, but 'twofold' in nature. #1) It seems quite clear that, at no time, did it ever cross the mind of Ling to 'dig up the King's seed' and replace it with something else! #2) Also, young Ling never resorted to questioning the 'other children' as to how they were achieving their results, ( 'false' as they were). Had he queried his companions, he would have likely also become 'polluted' with their same type of mentality, instead of simply 'having faith' in the King's seed! The rest of the children had given up on the King's seed, a long, long time ago, which was very obvious to the King as He looked at the wide variety of plants, and ornate greenery that they had generated from their individually planted 'impostor' seeds.



In the Story of Ling, 'all' the children were issued a 'special seed', much like we, ( the children of the world), are also issued our very own 'special seed'. Absolutely no one is omitted, or left out, for we all have an equal opportunity to grow into His marvellous Light. What we do with our 'seed' is another thing, altogether, for it is at this point where we find the massive problem. From a numerical standpoint, mankind, overwhelmingly, 'gives up on our King's seed',.....digs it up,......and replaces it with a 'seed of his/her own choice, or liking!'


To the Biblical 'born again' Christian of today, it is still very easy to spot 'those' who have 'dug up the King's seed' by the wide variety of 'belief systems',...( ie. various denominations, dogmas, religious sects), that have sprung up over the course of history from the 'impostor seed' that they have planted.


The genuine 'Seed', quite simply, is the 'Gospel Message' of His Death,...Burial,...and Resurrection. The 'Seed' is the Word of God! As the 'Word', Himself, Jesus was the 'Seed' that would die, ( at Calvary),....fall into the ground, ( ie. the Tomb),....and 'spring forth', ( ie. 'blossom'), after 3 days into His Resurrection.

Luke 8:11 (KJV)

11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Also,....


John 1:14 (KJV)

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,......

It should be especially noted that, in the Story of Ling, the emperor, ( King), 'knew' that the seed he had issued 'would NOT grow', ( or 'blossom'!) While all the other children's 'impostor' seeds blossomed,.....Ling's did NOT!,......or.......was it, really, the 'other way around'? Perhaps we need to 'pause for a moment', here, and really look at what is 'blossoming'!


The 'other' children's 'impostor seeds',.....blossomed into 'rejection' by the emperor, ( King).

The 'lone seed of Ling',.......blossomed into 'acceptance',....and....'entrance' into the King's Royal bloodline, and inheritance!


Now,....I humbly ask you,......"whose 'seed' REALLY blossomed"?


( in conclusion)


The 'Gospel Message',.....which is the 'Word of God',......which is 'Jesus', Himself,.....is 'our' Seed!

It's the 'only one' that will be issued to us, my dear, dear, friends!

Our King, ( Jesus, Himself), fully knows that It 'will NOT grow' under 'conventional, worldly, conditions',.....It's going to require 'FAITH' in Him, and obedience to His Gospel Message, ( Seed), that I specifically wrote about earlier, and will supply the link here.

https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...l=1#post630987 ( post #462 above)


What you do with your 'seed' is left entirely up to you. You can discuss It with the 'wrong set of individuals' if you want and be adversely effected by their 'faithless' advice, if you like. Of course, should you decide to go with this selection you'll find yourself 'digging up the King's Seed', and replacing It with your own 'impostor seed' of your own lustful desires,......just like so, many, many, 'others' have done in the past,....and equally do so, today.


The 'Gospel Message' of His Death, Burial, and Resurrection, ( which is 'spiritually' fulfilled by an Acts 2:38 experience) ( see link above),.....is yours, ( and mine), Seed!

Matthew 22:14 (KJV)

14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

The world of 'yesterday,...and today', views the dedicated Christian, ( ie. Ling's), with laughter and scorn and, likewise, act as if all we have in our possession is an 'empty pot' that has failed to blossom. Little do 'they' know that it's just a matter of time before we are going to be 'summoned' to the forefront to join our King and to enter into our inheritance!

There are very 'few' Ling's out there,.....but still room for more to follow in his footsteps!


Your brother, friend, and servant,.......kreagle


P.S. Here is a link to 'Part 1' of The Story of Ling ( actually post #469 above)

https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...l=1#post635087

[kreagle]

'Superman' Really Exists!






Why resort to playing 'make believe',....when you can experience the 'real McCoy?'

John 7:37-39 (KJV)

37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Rivers of Living Water!



The passage of Scripture in John 7: 37-39, leaves most individuals 'scratching their heads' wondering what Jesus was really talking about. To those who have experienced the 'genuine' infilling of the Holy Ghost, no further explanation is needed, ( other than what Jesus gave), for 'they' know exactly what He was talking, ( and referring), about.


To be filled with His Spirit, ( Born-again of the water and the Spirit), is the most awesome soul-fulfilling experience that a person can ever have. To those who will eliminate all doubt/unbelief and fully implement Biblical belief in His Word, ( verse 38- ie.,...."as the scripture hath said,...."), these 'rivers of living water' will flow through, and from, your life!


When they,....."began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance",.....the 'rivers began to flow' through, ( and from), them.


It happened back then, ( Acts 2:4, Acts 10:46, Acts 19:6),....AND.....today also!

Mark 16:17 (KJV)

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Be a 'real',......Super Man/Woman.....with God, my friends!


Your brother, friend, and servant,.........kreagle

[kreagle]

Picking 'Fruit',....OR.....Choosing 'Poison'?



Red Delicious Apple Tree

OR,....

CAUTION: Holly Berries are purgative and often cause nausea and vomiting.
They are poisonous to children. One, of many, 'folk names', is....Christ's Thorn!


The Word of God informs us that we need to be 'fruit' inspectors in the Book of Matthew. ( indicated below)

The following post by humanalien,...along with my reply, ( and complete agreement), with him, further highlights the vital role, ( and personal responsibility), that each one of us has in inspecting, ( and consequently 'digesting'), the 'fruit' we choose.

Here is the link to his post: https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...l=1#post640318 ( My reply is at post #14)

Posted by humanalien (here)
Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo
made statements that satanic
rituals have been performed
inside the vatican.

This happened in November 1996 at the
Fatima 2000 International congress
on world peace.

Dr.Malachi Martin asserted that a
Satanic Enthronement Ceremony, took
place at the vatican in 1963, inside
Saint Paul's Chapel. June 29, 1963

The vatican manifested what clerics
referred to as a SUPERFORCE.

VATICAN WITCHCRAFT and SATANISM
https://youtube.com/watch?v=l-fucVNm9DM

Vati Leaks - Satanism in the Vatican
http://www.vatileaks.com/_blog/Vati_...n_the_Vatican/

Satan in the Vatican
https://youtube.com/watch?v=MA1HCf4do_0

Underneath the Vatican EVIDENCE SATANIC
https://youtube.com/watch?v=z09MwmyhQnU

humanalien,

Your suspicions are spot on, brother. The wicked agenda of the Catholic 'church' has been orchestrated for thousands, and thousands of years since it's sordid inception. It was by satanic design to systematically infiltrate and destroy the 'original' Apostolic Church which was born into existence on the Day of Pentecost, in the Book of Acts, chapter 2, ( see verse 47). All of your allegations are completely backed up by a staggering plethora of historical documentation, and openly available to anyone who might care to have their eyes opened. Jesus gave us a Divine warning in Matthew what to look out for, which has the Vatican's bloody fingerprints all over It's descriptive nature.

Matthew 7:16-20 (KJV)

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

How much 'evil fruit' does one need to see 'harvested' by the Vatican in order to be completely convinced?

How can this 'evil tree' ever be considered to have represented the 'true' Christian Church at 'any point' in mankind's history?

Do apple trees produce 'poison ivy?',......Do tomato vines produce 'horse nettles', ( Solanum carolinense)? Hence, is this not the simple message that Jesus endeavored to teach us? A 'good tree', ( ie. 'true' Christian Church), cannot bring forth evil fruit, folks!,....just like the 'evil tree', ( ie. the Catholic church), notoriously always produces 'fruit' that is poisonous to the 'soul of mankind!'

By the way,......the #1 'fruit' that the Vatican/Catholic church produces and exports on a 'massive assembly line' is,..........'DECEPTION!'


'Many' have already sunk their teeth into this 'fruit', ( DECEPTION), and don't have a clue what is happening to them, and it's far reaching consequences.


When the 'carefully orchestrated' ET's make their presence known, ( heavily sponsored by Catholic/Vatican backing), and mankind is informed by our Catholic 'friends' that the ET's are our,.... 'brothers'....here to help us....played a role in 'creating' us, etc.,....those who have previously sunk their teeth so deeply into the 'fruit', ( DECEPTION), of the Vatican won't know any better!


There are a 'few' individuals who have steadfastly rejected the 'fruit', ( DECEPTION), of the Vatican/Catholic church. Events, like the one mentioned above, won't surprise, ( or side-track), these people for they will be fully prepared, ( and wary), of the deception as it is satanically deployed. ED's will be our visitors,folks,....NOT.....ET's! .... (Extra-Dimensionals,.....NOT.....Extra-Terrestrials!).... The ED's will be 'satanically spawned', ( ie. 'fallen angels'). As such,....you will 'then' see that they are just another 'rotten, poisonous,..... wannabe apple 'that has fallen off the 'evil tree' called the Vatican/Catholic church!

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Consider yourself 'warned!'


Your brother, friend, and servant,.......kreagle

[panopticon]

Since this thread is about questions to do with the Christian Bible there's a passage that has always niggled me 1Corinthians7: 13-15 (GodsWord):

13 If any Christian woman is married to a man who is an unbeliever, and he is willing to live with her, she should not divorce her husband. 14 Actually, the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and an unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise, their children would be unacceptable to God, but now they are acceptable to him. 15 But if the unbelieving partners leave, let them go. Under these circumstances a Christian man or Christian woman is not bound by a marriage vow. God has called you to live in peace.

So if an atheist is married to a Christian they become acceptable to God.
Also it's fine for a Christian to divorce if their spouse is not a Christian and decides they want to leave.
Waiting in anticipation.
-- Pan

[kreagle]

Posted by panopticon (here)
Since this thread is about questions to do with the Christian Bible there's a passage that has always niggled me 1Corinthians7: 13-15 (GodsWord):

13 If any Christian woman is married to a man who is an unbeliever, and he is willing to live with her, she should not divorce her husband. 14 Actually, the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and an unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise, their children would be unacceptable to God, but now they are acceptable to him. 15 But if the unbelieving partners leave, let them go. Under these circumstances a Christian man or Christian woman is not bound by a marriage vow. God has called you to live in peace.

So if an atheist is married to a Christian they become acceptable to God.
Also it's fine for a Christian to divorce if their spouse is not a Christian and decides they want to leave.
Waiting in anticipation.
-- Pan

Hey brother!

First of all, I would like to, equally, quote the passage you are referring to from the KJV, which I normally, ( but not exclusively), use for comparison.

1 Corinthians 7:13-15 (KJV)

13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

While the 'key' words,....'made holy',......and.....'sanctified',.....are closely related in meaning, the term 'sanctify' can also venture into an area which does not necessarily mean 'holy', ( or Godly), also.


sanc·ti·fy/ˈsæŋktəˌfaɪ/ Show Spelled [sangk-tuh-fahy] Show IPA
verb (used with object), sanc·ti·fied, sanc·ti·fy·ing.
1. to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate.
2. to purify or free from sin: Sanctify your hearts.
3. to impart religious sanction to; render legitimate or binding: to sanctify a vow.
4. to entitle to reverence or respect.
5. to make productive of or conducive to spiritual blessing.


In the many circumstances that were continuing to 'crop up' in the early Church, we find the Apostle Paul effectively dealing with another 'such' potential problem and him, consequently, laying down Biblical guidelines to go by. No doubt, there were going to be several incidences where a 'new convert' who had just been freshly 'Born-again' of the water and the Spirit, would be faced with the reality that they 'also' had an 'unbelieving spouse' back home to deal with, ( and to still live with!) Paul, ( in the Wisdom of God), fully knew that it would be totally unacceptable to 'bow out of a marriage' simply because one of the spouses had become a Christian. Hence the Biblical guidelines were employed.


While God certainly viewed the couple still 'legitimately married', ( ie. He 'sanctioned and rendered the marriage legitimate and binding'), ( see definition #3 above),....in no wise did this indicate, ( or mean), that God was 'giving a pass' to the 'unbelieving spouse'. They would still be 'fully responsible' to deal with their own sinful condition! Absolutely, no one, can 'ride the coattails' of a Christian to Heaven, my friend!

Philippians 2:12 (KJV)

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

'Marriage' has always been specifically 'special', ( and binding), to God, and He has made that crystal clear from our beginning.

Genesis 2:24 (KJV)

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.


Also,....


Matthew 19:6 (KJV)

6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

You will find that God is 'always' true to His Word, and that He never violates the principles that He has laid down for our lives! The Biblical 'guideline' that Paul laid down in 1 Corinthians was to,.....1) 'protect' the holy union of marriage,....2) 'to entitle to reverence or respect' the unbelieving spouse ( see definition #4 above),....and to 3) bless the 'offspring', ( children), of said marriage!, ( ie. 'to make productive of or conducive to spiritual blessing', ( see definition #5 above)

Also it's fine for a Christian to divorce if their spouse is not a Christian and decides they want to leave.

Brother, I believe if you will look at verse 15, of 1 Corinthians 7, you will find an 'addendum' inserted in the 'GodsWord' translation that is not recorded in the KJV translation.

Under these circumstances a Christian man or Christian woman is not bound by a marriage vow

Even though the 'unbelieving spouse' may suddenly decide to leave,....he/she is still bound by the marriage vow,....and so is the remaining 'believing spouse', also! The only 'exceptions' to this would be 'proven unfaithfulness, ( an affair)', or death.

While an 'unbelieving spouse' may leave the home,....and actually remarry someone else,.....they are living in adultery, and in violation of God's law concerning marriage, providing that 'unfaithfulness of the other spouse', or 'death', hasn't come into play. The 'same' set of Biblical rules/laws applies to the Christian, also!


In the KJV translation, the simple word 'bondage' denotes being forever 'enslaved together' which would be an impossibility if the 'unbeliever' had already vacated the marriage. Under such circumstances the 'believer' , ( brother/sister), would be forced to simply 'let them, ( the 'unbeliever'), go',....for you cannot make someone live with you that has made the decision to leave. Additionally, it should be noted that the 'believer', at no point, has been granted Biblical permission to 'up and depart', other than when 'unfaithfulness', or 'death', has entered the picture.


I hope this 'clears up' some of the misconceptions that have 'niggled' you, brother!


Your brother, friend, and servant,.......kreagle

[panopticon]

G'day Kreagle,

Thanks for the response.

It is my understanding that the original term used in 1Corinthian7:14 was in the Greek: ἡγίασται

This is transliterated as 'hēgiastai' which Strongs defines as: sanctify, make holy, set apart as sacred to God, consecrate, purify
[Strongs 37]

Of course the King James Version of the NT says something else as it was based on the Bishops Bible and reflected King James' requirements (this is sometimes explained by the somewhat circular argument that God intended him to rule - ie. it was his divine right - so what he did was right -- which I disagree with) which is why when I quote Christian scripture I use the GodsWord translation.

-- Pan

[Kraut]

A question to the Bible believers here: have you ever considered the preterist application of prophecy? I frequently see people getting agitated about the "Anti-Christ" and the end times but it seems that many are unaware you could argue that many prophecies have been fulfilled already. I'm not trying to convert anyone to such a view, I'm just curious if people here are aware of different ways to apply prophetic scriptures. When I first read about preterism it was hard to wrap my head around since all my life I had been sure we live in the end times.

[kreagle]

Posted by Kraut (here)
A question to the Bible believers here: have you ever considered the preterist application of prophecy? I frequently see people getting agitated about the "Anti-Christ" and the end times but it seems that many are unaware you could argue that many prophecies have been fulfilled already. I'm not trying to convert anyone to such a view, I'm just curious if people here are aware of different ways to apply prophetic scriptures. When I first read about preterism it was hard to wrap my head around since all my life I had been sure we live in the end times.

Hey Kraut!

Welcome to the Avalon forum, friend, and especially to our thread, here! Hope you are able to add valuable input, here, from time to time! 'Thanks' to you, for your original post, here!


While I personally do believe that prophecy, in general, has somewhat been fulfilled over the course of humanity, I do fully understand that the 'main events', ( ie. Jesus' return for His Bride, the Church), and the events of Revelation, etc.,....are still to come.

The 'preterism application of prophecy' that you speak of is 'Catholic' orientated in concept, to which I categorically reject. I have always maintained my views on the Vatican, and her church, and the sinister agenda that they have always endeavored to employ/practise. Just scroll up to post #475, ( on this same page), and you will find my reply to 'humanalien' regarding Catholicism.

Here is a partial quote concerning the 'origins' of the 'preterism application of prophecy' that you speak of. Additionally I have enclosed a link to this for those who would like to read the entire article. http://lostviewofprophecy.wordpress....come-from-5-2/

It is generally agreed that the founder of preterism was Luis De Alcazar (1554-1613), also known as Ludovicus ab Alcasar, a Roman Catholic Jesuit theologian who developed the “first systematic Preterist exposition of prophecy” (Wikipedia, Preterism). Alcazar’s work, which he dedicated to Pope Pius V, was a 900 page commentary on The Revelation. Published posthumously in 1614, Alcazar’s exposition Vestigatio Arcani Sensus in Apocalypsi (meaning, Investigation of the Hidden Sense of the Apocalypse) is historically recognized as founding the preterist school (Dennis. Preterist Archive).

To explain how this seventeenth century perspective of prophecy developed, we need to understand the origin of preterism.

Origin of Preterism

Like historic premillennialism, seventeenth century preterism originated during the course of the Protestant Reformation (1517-1648). But unlike the historic premillennial view compiled by Protestants, preterism originated within the Catholic Church during its period of internal reform called the Counter Reformation (1560-1648), also known as the Catholic Reformation.

Your brother, friend, and servant,.......kreagle