Did Jesus Die on The Cross for The Just/Elect/Saved Whose Names Are Written in The Book of Life OR
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Waiting on the Lord is what I was describing yesterday about how one is to live in a relationship with God. Being yoked finds it OT counterpart in the way God led the children of Israel through the desert. God provided a pillar for the children of to follow. When the pillar moved the people moved. When the pillar was still the people were still. They waited on the Lord.
We are also to be led, and in the same way. We don't have the benefit of a pillar. We have the Spirit. And as we walk in the Spirit, He leads. He let's us know when and where to move.
The language of Shepherd and sheep or vine and branches corresponds to this reality.
We have a tendency, even as Christians, to decide for ourselves and go our own way. Waiting on the Lord is simply waiting for God to make plain what we should do. And the only way to know how God is leading is to be in an intimate relationship with Him wherein you can distinguish His voice and see what He is doing.
We are also to be led, and in the same way. We don't have the benefit of a pillar. We have the Spirit. And as we walk in the Spirit, He leads. He let's us know when and where to move.
The language of Shepherd and sheep or vine and branches corresponds to this reality.
We have a tendency, even as Christians, to decide for ourselves and go our own way. Waiting on the Lord is simply waiting for God to make plain what we should do. And the only way to know how God is leading is to be in an intimate relationship with Him wherein you can distinguish His voice and see what He is doing.
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The natural man needs to have his will made free.... For..
In his own natural born power his flesh will always dominate and tyrannize over his soul into rejecting God.
That does not mean that the soul -when made free by grace - is in itself unable to desire God.
Total depravity... if we are going to recognize what "total" means?
Would mean even our soul could not believe.
The soul is a trapped helpless slave until the power of God's grace liberates him/her.
In his own natural born power his flesh will always dominate and tyrannize over his soul into rejecting God.
That does not mean that the soul -when made free by grace - is in itself unable to desire God.
Total depravity... if we are going to recognize what "total" means?
Would mean even our soul could not believe.
The soul is a trapped helpless slave until the power of God's grace liberates him/her.
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This is a thought-provoking question.
In my opinion, waiting on God entails involving God in all of your plans and decisions. You ask Him for guidance. You seek Him for direction. You never ever leave Him out of your life.
Do you recall how foolish Joshua was to make a covenant with the Gibeonites in the book of Joshua? And yet the LORD fought for Israel. This was divine intervention!
Joshua 9:14-15: Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the LORD. So Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them.
10:7-8: So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. And the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you."
In my opinion, waiting on God entails involving God in all of your plans and decisions. You ask Him for guidance. You seek Him for direction. You never ever leave Him out of your life.
Do you recall how foolish Joshua was to make a covenant with the Gibeonites in the book of Joshua? And yet the LORD fought for Israel. This was divine intervention!
Joshua 9:14-15: Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the LORD. So Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them.
10:7-8: So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. And the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you."
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The same thing happened at Ai. They didn't seek God's counsel the first time and were routed. The second time, the Lord gave the battle plan and they were easily victorious.
Just as an aside, the book of Joshua records the physical battles the children of Israel engaged in to conquer the promised land, but it also spiritually teaches us lessons about spiritual warfare for the advancement of the kingdom of God.
Just as an aside, the book of Joshua records the physical battles the children of Israel engaged in to conquer the promised land, but it also spiritually teaches us lessons about spiritual warfare for the advancement of the kingdom of God.
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Okay...I'll share and keep the post at no worse than a PG level. 
The Lord found me and called me nearly 45 years ago. I was not a religious person at all. But I had attended Catholic schools up to 2nd year high, and then was done with Catholicism. I wouldn't describe myself as an atheist per se -- but more of an agnostic who simply lived life like there was no God. Just another one of billions of Practical Atheists, even though philosophically I didn't subscribe. I would describe myself, however, as a card-carrying hedonist who lived life with gusto. I worked as hard as I partied and my motto was pretty much, "Let's eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we all die." I didn't marry until after my conversion so I was not restrained in my sex life either.
45 years ago, I was at a low ebb in my life. I came down with a liver disease that the allopathic medical community wasn't able to fix. After almost a year out of work, I found an alternative-natural medicine source that finally put me on the right track. But I had lost a very good paying job because of my prolonged illness -- but even so had sufficient resources to weather the storm and to even party hearty at home when friends would come over. And I was a big pothead! And pretty popular.
Then one night when I was literally home alone and bored out my gourd, I picked up a newspaper to see what was playing at the local theaters. Nothing really captured my attention except one documentary with the strange title "The Late Great Planet Earth." So, I said, why not? Lit up a joint, got into my car and off I went to watch the movie stoned out of my mind.
But that night wound up being the turning point in my life! Even though I had watched the movie stoned, it still impacted me. The next day, I started to search for the book so that I could read through it. After I found it, and read through, I was even more anxious to see if what Hal Lindsey said was actually in the bible. So, the next book I bought was my first bible ever.
Not knowing any better and treating the bible as though it was just another book, I figured the logical place to start was with Genesis and read through each successive book. It took me months to do that -- but I had a lot of time to kill <g>. But I was really in for a surprise when I finally advanced to the Gospels. Jesus absolutely blew my socks off. I quickly reached the same conclusion that many of the first century Jews did who listened to Him: Where did this man get all this wisdom and knowledge and understanding?
After reading through the Gospels I went into my bedroom and I guess I just instinctively knelt down to pray -- but it was hardly a prayer of faith. It was more of a prayer of an agnostic. "God, IF your there - IF you really exist -- and If you can truly hear me -- then I ask that you lead me to one of YOUR churches because I'm not going to scour around to see which church is the real deal." That was the essence of my short and sweet prayer. And I prayed like that due to my experience with the Catholic Church when I was a kid. As a kid, I saw the hypocrisy that abounded in the church. So, I didn't want any part of that, especially given what Jesus taught on the subject. And of course, I prayed that prayer because I wanted to learn more. The Gospels really moved me!
Meanwhile, I continued to read through the NT and wouldn't you know that God put a Christian in my life -- a complete stranger who I meant by "accident"? He was bold about his faith, so I soon as I found out he was a Christian, we struck up a relationship immediately. It didn't take long before I started to attend his church -- a Baptist Church, as I recall. But all this while, I also kept reading the scriptures on my own. I couldn't get my nose out of the bible. BUT...as time passed, and even though I was very intrigued by the scriptures, especially prophecy, at the same time questions were building up in my mind. So many that I started to write them down, so that I wouldn't forget them.
My friend (his name was Tom) and I would discuss my questions but his answers but his answers weren't adequate. But...he also knew of pastor who just happened to be a faculty member at a local bible college. And you'll never guess what he taught: Dispensationalism. When I got introduced to this pastor (his name was Randy), we hit it off immediately as well, as I told him that I had seen Lindsey's documentary and read his book. And so I started to attend Randy's church. But...meanwhile the questions kept piling up and it reached a point where I became frustrated and was getting ready to throw in the towel. But I figured I'll call Randy first to see if he wants to tackle my questions. I even warned him that my questions are tough and they might shake his faith, which shows you how little I knew of God's grace. But he was not daunted and he invited me over to have lunch with him and his lovely wife Gloria.
Later that week, I went over and hit him with several "tough" questions, which he answered more than adequately. And he had so much wisdom that he sensed what was really eating at me...so he took time to educate me on the Gospel! And he explained the Gospel in such a way -- in a way that I had never heard before -- that it actually resonated with me. After spending the entire afternoon with him, I left to get into my car and I just couldn't move. So many things he had said to me were playing over and over inside my head -- until finally I just couldn't handle it anymore! I broke down like a baby and wept uncontrollably over my sins and how my sins -- my sins put Jesus on the Cross. But at the same time, I felt God's peace and love come over me. In retrospect, I have to think that was the Holy Spirit. That's when I became a born again child of God. I must have sat in my car a good 20 minutes or so before I was able to gather my wits about me and drive home.
When I returned home, I called Randy to tell him the good news. He and his wife Gloria were so filled with joy -- so exuberant that God had opened my heart. A couple of weeks later Randy baptized me in the ocean on Hollywood beach with a few other people.
And thus began my personal exodus from this world to the City of God -- to the New Jerusalem.
The Lord found me and called me nearly 45 years ago. I was not a religious person at all. But I had attended Catholic schools up to 2nd year high, and then was done with Catholicism. I wouldn't describe myself as an atheist per se -- but more of an agnostic who simply lived life like there was no God. Just another one of billions of Practical Atheists, even though philosophically I didn't subscribe. I would describe myself, however, as a card-carrying hedonist who lived life with gusto. I worked as hard as I partied and my motto was pretty much, "Let's eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we all die." I didn't marry until after my conversion so I was not restrained in my sex life either.
45 years ago, I was at a low ebb in my life. I came down with a liver disease that the allopathic medical community wasn't able to fix. After almost a year out of work, I found an alternative-natural medicine source that finally put me on the right track. But I had lost a very good paying job because of my prolonged illness -- but even so had sufficient resources to weather the storm and to even party hearty at home when friends would come over. And I was a big pothead! And pretty popular.
Then one night when I was literally home alone and bored out my gourd, I picked up a newspaper to see what was playing at the local theaters. Nothing really captured my attention except one documentary with the strange title "The Late Great Planet Earth." So, I said, why not? Lit up a joint, got into my car and off I went to watch the movie stoned out of my mind.
But that night wound up being the turning point in my life! Even though I had watched the movie stoned, it still impacted me. The next day, I started to search for the book so that I could read through it. After I found it, and read through, I was even more anxious to see if what Hal Lindsey said was actually in the bible. So, the next book I bought was my first bible ever.
Not knowing any better and treating the bible as though it was just another book, I figured the logical place to start was with Genesis and read through each successive book. It took me months to do that -- but I had a lot of time to kill <g>. But I was really in for a surprise when I finally advanced to the Gospels. Jesus absolutely blew my socks off. I quickly reached the same conclusion that many of the first century Jews did who listened to Him: Where did this man get all this wisdom and knowledge and understanding?
After reading through the Gospels I went into my bedroom and I guess I just instinctively knelt down to pray -- but it was hardly a prayer of faith. It was more of a prayer of an agnostic. "God, IF your there - IF you really exist -- and If you can truly hear me -- then I ask that you lead me to one of YOUR churches because I'm not going to scour around to see which church is the real deal." That was the essence of my short and sweet prayer. And I prayed like that due to my experience with the Catholic Church when I was a kid. As a kid, I saw the hypocrisy that abounded in the church. So, I didn't want any part of that, especially given what Jesus taught on the subject. And of course, I prayed that prayer because I wanted to learn more. The Gospels really moved me!
Meanwhile, I continued to read through the NT and wouldn't you know that God put a Christian in my life -- a complete stranger who I meant by "accident"? He was bold about his faith, so I soon as I found out he was a Christian, we struck up a relationship immediately. It didn't take long before I started to attend his church -- a Baptist Church, as I recall. But all this while, I also kept reading the scriptures on my own. I couldn't get my nose out of the bible. BUT...as time passed, and even though I was very intrigued by the scriptures, especially prophecy, at the same time questions were building up in my mind. So many that I started to write them down, so that I wouldn't forget them.
My friend (his name was Tom) and I would discuss my questions but his answers but his answers weren't adequate. But...he also knew of pastor who just happened to be a faculty member at a local bible college. And you'll never guess what he taught: Dispensationalism. When I got introduced to this pastor (his name was Randy), we hit it off immediately as well, as I told him that I had seen Lindsey's documentary and read his book. And so I started to attend Randy's church. But...meanwhile the questions kept piling up and it reached a point where I became frustrated and was getting ready to throw in the towel. But I figured I'll call Randy first to see if he wants to tackle my questions. I even warned him that my questions are tough and they might shake his faith, which shows you how little I knew of God's grace. But he was not daunted and he invited me over to have lunch with him and his lovely wife Gloria.
Later that week, I went over and hit him with several "tough" questions, which he answered more than adequately. And he had so much wisdom that he sensed what was really eating at me...so he took time to educate me on the Gospel! And he explained the Gospel in such a way -- in a way that I had never heard before -- that it actually resonated with me. After spending the entire afternoon with him, I left to get into my car and I just couldn't move. So many things he had said to me were playing over and over inside my head -- until finally I just couldn't handle it anymore! I broke down like a baby and wept uncontrollably over my sins and how my sins -- my sins put Jesus on the Cross. But at the same time, I felt God's peace and love come over me. In retrospect, I have to think that was the Holy Spirit. That's when I became a born again child of God. I must have sat in my car a good 20 minutes or so before I was able to gather my wits about me and drive home.
When I returned home, I called Randy to tell him the good news. He and his wife Gloria were so filled with joy -- so exuberant that God had opened my heart. A couple of weeks later Randy baptized me in the ocean on Hollywood beach with a few other people.
And thus began my personal exodus from this world to the City of God -- to the New Jerusalem.
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Okay...I'll share and keep the post at no worse than a PG level.
The Lord found me and called me nearly 45 years ago. I was not a religious person at all. But I had attended Catholic schools up to 2nd year high, and then was done with Catholicism. I wouldn't describe myself as an atheist per se -- but more of an agnostic who simply lived life like there was no God. Just another one of billions of Practical Atheists, even though philosophically I didn't subscribe. I would describe myself, however, as a card-carrying hedonist who lived life with gusto. I worked as hard as I partied and my motto was pretty much, "Let's eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we all die." I didn't marry until after my conversion so I was not restrained in my sex life either.
45 years ago, I was at a low ebb in my life. I came down with a liver disease that the allopathic medical community wasn't able to fix. After almost a year out of work, I found an alternative-natural medicine source that finally put me on the right track. But I had lost a very good paying job because of my prolonged illness -- but even so had sufficient resources to weather the storm and to even party hearty at home when friends would come over. And I was a big pothead! And pretty popular.
Then one night when I was literally home alone and bored out my gourd, I picked up a newspaper to see what was playing at the local theaters. Nothing really captured my attention except one documentary with the strange title "The Late Great Planet Earth." So, I said, why not? Lit up a joint, got into my car and off I went to watch the movie stoned out of my mind.
But that night wound up being the turning point in my life! Even though I had watched the movie stoned, it still impacted me. The next day, I started to search for the book so that I could read through it. After I found it, and read through, I was even more anxious to see if what Hal Lindsey said was actually in the bible. So, the next book I bought was my first bible ever.
Not knowing any better and treating the bible as though it was just another book, I figured the logical place to start was with Genesis and read through each successive book. It took me months to do that -- but I had a lot of time to kill <g>. But I was really in for a surprise when I finally advanced to the Gospels. Jesus absolutely blew my socks off. I quickly reached the same conclusion that many of the first century Jews did who listened to Him: Where did this man get all this wisdom and knowledge and understanding?
After reading through the Gospels I went into my bedroom and I guess I just instinctively knelt down to pray -- but it was hardly a prayer of faith. It was more of a prayer of an agnostic. "God, IF your there - IF you really exist -- and If you can truly hear me -- then I ask that you lead me to one of YOUR churches because I'm not going to scour around to see which church is the real deal." That was the essence of my short and sweet prayer. And I prayed like that due to my experience with the Catholic Church when I was a kid. As a kid, I saw the hypocrisy that abounded in the church. So, I didn't want any part of that, especially given what Jesus taught on the subject. And of course, I prayed that prayer because I wanted to learn more. The Gospels really moved me!
Meanwhile, I continued to read through the NT and wouldn't you know that God put a Christian in my life -- a complete stranger who I meant by "accident"? He was bold about his faith, so I soon as I found out he was a Christian, we struck up a relationship immediately. It didn't take long before I started to attend his church -- a Baptist Church, as I recall. But all this while, I also kept reading the scriptures on my own. I couldn't get my nose out of the bible. BUT...as time passed, and even though I was very intrigued by the scriptures, especially prophecy, at the same time questions were building up in my mind. So many that I started to write them down, so that I wouldn't forget them.
My friend (his name was Tom) and I would discuss my questions but his answers but his answers weren't adequate. But...he also knew of pastor who just happened to be a faculty member at a local bible college. And you'll never guess what he taught: Dispensationalism. When I got introduced to this pastor (his name was Randy), we hit it off immediately as well, as I told him that I had seen Lindsey's documentary and read his book. And so I started to attend Randy's church. But...meanwhile the questions kept piling up and it reached a point where I became frustrated and was getting ready to throw in the towel. But I figured I'll call Randy first to see if he wants to tackle my questions. I even warned him that my questions are tough and they might shake his faith, which shows you how little I knew of God's grace. But he was not daunted and he invited me over to have lunch with him and his lovely wife Gloria.
Later that week, I went over and hit him with several "tough" questions, which he answered more than adequately. And he had so much wisdom that he sensed what was really eating at me...so he took time to educate me on the Gospel! And he explained the Gospel in such a way -- in a way that I had never heard before -- that it actually resonated with me. After spending the entire afternoon with him, I left to get into my car and I just couldn't move. So many things he had said to me were playing over and over inside my head -- until finally I just couldn't handle it anymore! I broke down like a baby and wept uncontrollably over my sins and how my sins -- my sins put Jesus on the Cross. But at the same time, I felt God's peace and love come over me. In retrospect, I have to think that was the Holy Spirit. That's when I became a born again child of God. I must have sat in my car a good 20 minutes or so before I was able to gather my wits about me and drive home.
When I returned home, I called Randy to tell him the good news. He and his wife Gloria were so filled with joy -- so exuberant that God had opened my heart. A couple of weeks later Randy baptized me in the ocean on Hollywood beach with a few other people.
And thus began my personal exodus from this world to the City of God -- to the New Jerusalem.
The Lord found me and called me nearly 45 years ago. I was not a religious person at all. But I had attended Catholic schools up to 2nd year high, and then was done with Catholicism. I wouldn't describe myself as an atheist per se -- but more of an agnostic who simply lived life like there was no God. Just another one of billions of Practical Atheists, even though philosophically I didn't subscribe. I would describe myself, however, as a card-carrying hedonist who lived life with gusto. I worked as hard as I partied and my motto was pretty much, "Let's eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we all die." I didn't marry until after my conversion so I was not restrained in my sex life either.
45 years ago, I was at a low ebb in my life. I came down with a liver disease that the allopathic medical community wasn't able to fix. After almost a year out of work, I found an alternative-natural medicine source that finally put me on the right track. But I had lost a very good paying job because of my prolonged illness -- but even so had sufficient resources to weather the storm and to even party hearty at home when friends would come over. And I was a big pothead! And pretty popular.
Then one night when I was literally home alone and bored out my gourd, I picked up a newspaper to see what was playing at the local theaters. Nothing really captured my attention except one documentary with the strange title "The Late Great Planet Earth." So, I said, why not? Lit up a joint, got into my car and off I went to watch the movie stoned out of my mind.
But that night wound up being the turning point in my life! Even though I had watched the movie stoned, it still impacted me. The next day, I started to search for the book so that I could read through it. After I found it, and read through, I was even more anxious to see if what Hal Lindsey said was actually in the bible. So, the next book I bought was my first bible ever.
Not knowing any better and treating the bible as though it was just another book, I figured the logical place to start was with Genesis and read through each successive book. It took me months to do that -- but I had a lot of time to kill <g>. But I was really in for a surprise when I finally advanced to the Gospels. Jesus absolutely blew my socks off. I quickly reached the same conclusion that many of the first century Jews did who listened to Him: Where did this man get all this wisdom and knowledge and understanding?
After reading through the Gospels I went into my bedroom and I guess I just instinctively knelt down to pray -- but it was hardly a prayer of faith. It was more of a prayer of an agnostic. "God, IF your there - IF you really exist -- and If you can truly hear me -- then I ask that you lead me to one of YOUR churches because I'm not going to scour around to see which church is the real deal." That was the essence of my short and sweet prayer. And I prayed like that due to my experience with the Catholic Church when I was a kid. As a kid, I saw the hypocrisy that abounded in the church. So, I didn't want any part of that, especially given what Jesus taught on the subject. And of course, I prayed that prayer because I wanted to learn more. The Gospels really moved me!
Meanwhile, I continued to read through the NT and wouldn't you know that God put a Christian in my life -- a complete stranger who I meant by "accident"? He was bold about his faith, so I soon as I found out he was a Christian, we struck up a relationship immediately. It didn't take long before I started to attend his church -- a Baptist Church, as I recall. But all this while, I also kept reading the scriptures on my own. I couldn't get my nose out of the bible. BUT...as time passed, and even though I was very intrigued by the scriptures, especially prophecy, at the same time questions were building up in my mind. So many that I started to write them down, so that I wouldn't forget them.
My friend (his name was Tom) and I would discuss my questions but his answers but his answers weren't adequate. But...he also knew of pastor who just happened to be a faculty member at a local bible college. And you'll never guess what he taught: Dispensationalism. When I got introduced to this pastor (his name was Randy), we hit it off immediately as well, as I told him that I had seen Lindsey's documentary and read his book. And so I started to attend Randy's church. But...meanwhile the questions kept piling up and it reached a point where I became frustrated and was getting ready to throw in the towel. But I figured I'll call Randy first to see if he wants to tackle my questions. I even warned him that my questions are tough and they might shake his faith, which shows you how little I knew of God's grace. But he was not daunted and he invited me over to have lunch with him and his lovely wife Gloria.
Later that week, I went over and hit him with several "tough" questions, which he answered more than adequately. And he had so much wisdom that he sensed what was really eating at me...so he took time to educate me on the Gospel! And he explained the Gospel in such a way -- in a way that I had never heard before -- that it actually resonated with me. After spending the entire afternoon with him, I left to get into my car and I just couldn't move. So many things he had said to me were playing over and over inside my head -- until finally I just couldn't handle it anymore! I broke down like a baby and wept uncontrollably over my sins and how my sins -- my sins put Jesus on the Cross. But at the same time, I felt God's peace and love come over me. In retrospect, I have to think that was the Holy Spirit. That's when I became a born again child of God. I must have sat in my car a good 20 minutes or so before I was able to gather my wits about me and drive home.
When I returned home, I called Randy to tell him the good news. He and his wife Gloria were so filled with joy -- so exuberant that God had opened my heart. A couple of weeks later Randy baptized me in the ocean on Hollywood beach with a few other people.
And thus began my personal exodus from this world to the City of God -- to the New Jerusalem.
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In the Genesis narrative there are only two seeds. And both of those are spiritual seeds since the devil cannot produce physical offspring. But he has gazillions of spiritual offspring, such as the Pharisees were.
Also, there is no such thing as the "seed of God". In Luke's genealogy it's noteworthy that Christ did not descend from Adam, rather Adam "descended" (was created by) the Son of God. And this is true because the Father created all things through his Son. So the genealogy is telling us that the Last Adam created the First Adam.
Also, there is no such thing as the "seed of God". In Luke's genealogy it's noteworthy that Christ did not descend from Adam, rather Adam "descended" (was created by) the Son of God. And this is true because the Father created all things through his Son. So the genealogy is telling us that the Last Adam created the First Adam.
Unregenerate man's natural understanding (understanding without inner Source of all Understanding -- the Holy Spirit) is limited at best and fleeting at worst! And whatever the natural man thinks he understands, he'll eventually pervert and twist to suit his personal preferences in life. Natural Man is a selfish, egotistical, prideful, arrogant, rebellious, God-hating, darkness-loving, death-loving creature which is why he suppresses the truth in unrighteousness. He simply doesn't want to retain the knowledge of the one true God in his mind. And this is why he cannot truly understand truth.
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Now, you're beginning to grasp the biblical concept of "captives" or "prisoners". We are indeed trapped in our Dead souls, sir! Why do you think God promised to give his people a new heart under the New Covenant? Why did Paul say that believers were formerly Darkness itself!?
It's time to wake up and smell the coffee!
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Mr. Studer, Sir, I have a question for you. You claim that the spiritually dead -- the natural man has sufficient natural understanding to do understand that which is not natural -- but spiritual? Is that right? But how can this be since God-hating dead people don't seek after spiritual understanding? Spiritual understanding is a GRACIOUS gift of God which he gives FREELY to whom he chooses. For starters, read Mat 13:11-15. Jesus tells his disciples that the "secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them." So how can this latter group which has been sovereignly excluded from receiving this knowledge (or understanding) come to really understand spiritual truth on their own -- under the power of their own natural understanding?
Moreover, while spiritual understanding is a gracious gift from God, the sons of men are also commanded to seek after spiritual wisdom and understanding -- to GET understanding even though it might cost all you have (Prov 4:7). But where in scripture does it tell us that the spiritually dead actively and earnestly and diligently seek (Ps 119:130) or even pray for such understanding (Ps 119:34)?
If natural man has all this inherent ability to understand spiritual truth, then why would God even need to give it? Why pray for it? Why waste time searching for it in the scriptures? Surely, these are things God's people would do, but God-hating Natural Man?
Moreover, while spiritual understanding is a gracious gift from God, the sons of men are also commanded to seek after spiritual wisdom and understanding -- to GET understanding even though it might cost all you have (Prov 4:7). But where in scripture does it tell us that the spiritually dead actively and earnestly and diligently seek (Ps 119:130) or even pray for such understanding (Ps 119:34)?
If natural man has all this inherent ability to understand spiritual truth, then why would God even need to give it? Why pray for it? Why waste time searching for it in the scriptures? Surely, these are things God's people would do, but God-hating Natural Man?
Okay...I'll share and keep the post at no worse than a PG level.
The Lord found me and called me nearly 45 years ago. I was not a religious person at all. But I had attended Catholic schools up to 2nd year high, and then was done with Catholicism. I wouldn't describe myself as an atheist per se -- but more of an agnostic who simply lived life like there was no God. Just another one of billions of Practical Atheists, even though philosophically I didn't subscribe. I would describe myself, however, as a card-carrying hedonist who lived life with gusto. I worked as hard as I partied and my motto was pretty much, "Let's eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we all die." I didn't marry until after my conversion so I was not restrained in my sex life either.
45 years ago, I was at a low ebb in my life. I came down with a liver disease that the allopathic medical community wasn't able to fix. After almost a year out of work, I found an alternative-natural medicine source that finally put me on the right track. But I had lost a very good paying job because of my prolonged illness -- but even so had sufficient resources to weather the storm and to even party hearty at home when friends would come over. And I was a big pothead! And pretty popular.
Then one night when I was literally home alone and bored out my gourd, I picked up a newspaper to see what was playing at the local theaters. Nothing really captured my attention except one documentary with the strange title "The Late Great Planet Earth." So, I said, why not? Lit up a joint, got into my car and off I went to watch the movie stoned out of my mind.
But that night wound up being the turning point in my life! Even though I had watched the movie stoned, it still impacted me. The next day, I started to search for the book so that I could read through it. After I found it, and read through, I was even more anxious to see if what Hal Lindsey said was actually in the bible. So, the next book I bought was my first bible ever.
Not knowing any better and treating the bible as though it was just another book, I figured the logical place to start was with Genesis and read through each successive book. It took me months to do that -- but I had a lot of time to kill <g>. But I was really in for a surprise when I finally advanced to the Gospels. Jesus absolutely blew my socks off. I quickly reached the same conclusion that many of the first century Jews did who listened to Him: Where did this man get all this wisdom and knowledge and understanding?
After reading through the Gospels I went into my bedroom and I guess I just instinctively knelt down to pray -- but it was hardly a prayer of faith. It was more of a prayer of an agnostic. "God, IF your there - IF you really exist -- and If you can truly hear me -- then I ask that you lead me to one of YOUR churches because I'm not going to scour around to see which church is the real deal." That was the essence of my short and sweet prayer. And I prayed like that due to my experience with the Catholic Church when I was a kid. As a kid, I saw the hypocrisy that abounded in the church. So, I didn't want any part of that, especially given what Jesus taught on the subject. And of course, I prayed that prayer because I wanted to learn more. The Gospels really moved me!
Meanwhile, I continued to read through the NT and wouldn't you know that God put a Christian in my life -- a complete stranger who I meant by "accident"? He was bold about his faith, so I soon as I found out he was a Christian, we struck up a relationship immediately. It didn't take long before I started to attend his church -- a Baptist Church, as I recall. But all this while, I also kept reading the scriptures on my own. I couldn't get my nose out of the bible. BUT...as time passed, and even though I was very intrigued by the scriptures, especially prophecy, at the same time questions were building up in my mind. So many that I started to write them down, so that I wouldn't forget them.
My friend (his name was Tom) and I would discuss my questions but his answers but his answers weren't adequate. But...he also knew of pastor who just happened to be a faculty member at a local bible college. And you'll never guess what he taught: Dispensationalism. When I got introduced to this pastor (his name was Randy), we hit it off immediately as well, as I told him that I had seen Lindsey's documentary and read his book. And so I started to attend Randy's church. But...meanwhile the questions kept piling up and it reached a point where I became frustrated and was getting ready to throw in the towel. But I figured I'll call Randy first to see if he wants to tackle my questions. I even warned him that my questions are tough and they might shake his faith, which shows you how little I knew of God's grace. But he was not daunted and he invited me over to have lunch with him and his lovely wife Gloria.
Later that week, I went over and hit him with several "tough" questions, which he answered more than adequately. And he had so much wisdom that he sensed what was really eating at me...so he took time to educate me on the Gospel! And he explained the Gospel in such a way -- in a way that I had never heard before -- that it actually resonated with me. After spending the entire afternoon with him, I left to get into my car and I just couldn't move. So many things he had said to me were playing over and over inside my head -- until finally I just couldn't handle it anymore! I broke down like a baby and wept uncontrollably over my sins and how my sins -- my sins put Jesus on the Cross. But at the same time, I felt God's peace and love come over me. In retrospect, I have to think that was the Holy Spirit. That's when I became a born again child of God. I must have sat in my car a good 20 minutes or so before I was able to gather my wits about me and drive home.
When I returned home, I called Randy to tell him the good news. He and his wife Gloria were so filled with joy -- so exuberant that God had opened my heart. A couple of weeks later Randy baptized me in the ocean on Hollywood beach with a few other people.
And thus began my personal exodus from this world to the City of God -- to the New Jerusalem.
The Lord found me and called me nearly 45 years ago. I was not a religious person at all. But I had attended Catholic schools up to 2nd year high, and then was done with Catholicism. I wouldn't describe myself as an atheist per se -- but more of an agnostic who simply lived life like there was no God. Just another one of billions of Practical Atheists, even though philosophically I didn't subscribe. I would describe myself, however, as a card-carrying hedonist who lived life with gusto. I worked as hard as I partied and my motto was pretty much, "Let's eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we all die." I didn't marry until after my conversion so I was not restrained in my sex life either.
45 years ago, I was at a low ebb in my life. I came down with a liver disease that the allopathic medical community wasn't able to fix. After almost a year out of work, I found an alternative-natural medicine source that finally put me on the right track. But I had lost a very good paying job because of my prolonged illness -- but even so had sufficient resources to weather the storm and to even party hearty at home when friends would come over. And I was a big pothead! And pretty popular.
Then one night when I was literally home alone and bored out my gourd, I picked up a newspaper to see what was playing at the local theaters. Nothing really captured my attention except one documentary with the strange title "The Late Great Planet Earth." So, I said, why not? Lit up a joint, got into my car and off I went to watch the movie stoned out of my mind.
But that night wound up being the turning point in my life! Even though I had watched the movie stoned, it still impacted me. The next day, I started to search for the book so that I could read through it. After I found it, and read through, I was even more anxious to see if what Hal Lindsey said was actually in the bible. So, the next book I bought was my first bible ever.
Not knowing any better and treating the bible as though it was just another book, I figured the logical place to start was with Genesis and read through each successive book. It took me months to do that -- but I had a lot of time to kill <g>. But I was really in for a surprise when I finally advanced to the Gospels. Jesus absolutely blew my socks off. I quickly reached the same conclusion that many of the first century Jews did who listened to Him: Where did this man get all this wisdom and knowledge and understanding?
After reading through the Gospels I went into my bedroom and I guess I just instinctively knelt down to pray -- but it was hardly a prayer of faith. It was more of a prayer of an agnostic. "God, IF your there - IF you really exist -- and If you can truly hear me -- then I ask that you lead me to one of YOUR churches because I'm not going to scour around to see which church is the real deal." That was the essence of my short and sweet prayer. And I prayed like that due to my experience with the Catholic Church when I was a kid. As a kid, I saw the hypocrisy that abounded in the church. So, I didn't want any part of that, especially given what Jesus taught on the subject. And of course, I prayed that prayer because I wanted to learn more. The Gospels really moved me!
Meanwhile, I continued to read through the NT and wouldn't you know that God put a Christian in my life -- a complete stranger who I meant by "accident"? He was bold about his faith, so I soon as I found out he was a Christian, we struck up a relationship immediately. It didn't take long before I started to attend his church -- a Baptist Church, as I recall. But all this while, I also kept reading the scriptures on my own. I couldn't get my nose out of the bible. BUT...as time passed, and even though I was very intrigued by the scriptures, especially prophecy, at the same time questions were building up in my mind. So many that I started to write them down, so that I wouldn't forget them.
My friend (his name was Tom) and I would discuss my questions but his answers but his answers weren't adequate. But...he also knew of pastor who just happened to be a faculty member at a local bible college. And you'll never guess what he taught: Dispensationalism. When I got introduced to this pastor (his name was Randy), we hit it off immediately as well, as I told him that I had seen Lindsey's documentary and read his book. And so I started to attend Randy's church. But...meanwhile the questions kept piling up and it reached a point where I became frustrated and was getting ready to throw in the towel. But I figured I'll call Randy first to see if he wants to tackle my questions. I even warned him that my questions are tough and they might shake his faith, which shows you how little I knew of God's grace. But he was not daunted and he invited me over to have lunch with him and his lovely wife Gloria.
Later that week, I went over and hit him with several "tough" questions, which he answered more than adequately. And he had so much wisdom that he sensed what was really eating at me...so he took time to educate me on the Gospel! And he explained the Gospel in such a way -- in a way that I had never heard before -- that it actually resonated with me. After spending the entire afternoon with him, I left to get into my car and I just couldn't move. So many things he had said to me were playing over and over inside my head -- until finally I just couldn't handle it anymore! I broke down like a baby and wept uncontrollably over my sins and how my sins -- my sins put Jesus on the Cross. But at the same time, I felt God's peace and love come over me. In retrospect, I have to think that was the Holy Spirit. That's when I became a born again child of God. I must have sat in my car a good 20 minutes or so before I was able to gather my wits about me and drive home.
When I returned home, I called Randy to tell him the good news. He and his wife Gloria were so filled with joy -- so exuberant that God had opened my heart. A couple of weeks later Randy baptized me in the ocean on Hollywood beach with a few other people.
And thus began my personal exodus from this world to the City of God -- to the New Jerusalem.
I identified with what you came out of. I was a 60's till late 60's musician. Quit the business after I unknowingly became born again.
One thing I would like to say. "Late Great Planet Earth" was hugely popular, though I never read it back then.
Later on after finding my pastor teacher? I learned that Hal was a member of my church, and had attended before I became a member.
Hal had applied to Dallas Theological Seminary and was found initially not to qualify.
My pastor after finding out wrote a letter to DTS, and Hal was then accepted.
Same thing occurred with Chuck Swindoll, whom my pastor needed to write DTS, and was then accepted.
Late Great Planet Earth was found in the room of one of Israel's prime ministers after his death. I can not locate which one at this time, but had seen Hals Lindsey mention it in the past.
To make a long story short. Late Great Planet earth had its roots in Hal Lindsey gaining access to his pastor's thesis when he was working on towards his doctorate. It was never finished because pastor R.B. Thieme Jr became much too busy studying eight hours a day and teaching six nights a week to his avid congregation, and not to mention, an audio ministry that boomed world wide.
R.B. Thieme later was a wee bit upset with some things Hal said in his book because of some of Hal's speculations at times. And, RBT did not like that you could not get the book without paying money for it. Other than that? Hal mentions R.B. Thieme in several of his books.
In the Devil's world you will not get great reviews of someone doing an excellent work of exegeting God's Word from the original languages. Its expected to be lied about. Be that as it may. RBT's daily messages have been recorded and are available free of charge for anyone wanting to learn the Scriptures from the original languages.
I just remembered another.
Billy Graham once asked RBT to privately mentor him. But, RBT was so busy with his own church he had to turn Billy Graham down.
Yet, later , I am sure, Billy was able to access the recorded messages if he wanted them.
No money asked for. Will send teaching messages free of charge. https://rbthieme.org/index.html#tabs-3
We are caught right smack dab in the middle of a spiritual warfare.
Therefore.. misinformation will abound along with truth.
One must find out for himself.
grace and peace ....................
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