Watching History Repeat Itself

[Brakelite]

@Ziggy your initial scripture quotes revealed an interesting direction of thought that perhaps went unappreciated. The current popular view of the future entails a time of intense tribulation followed by plagues that decimate areas of the planet with tremendous destruction. You quoted passages depicting that, and correctly saying that God's people will live through that, protected, but witnesses to God's judgement. Then, the second coming of Jesus, and Him taking God's people back to heaven with Him. Yet in the confusion of hermeneutics we have a variety of scenarios whereby some are raptured prior to the destruction, and return with Jesus 3 and a half years or 7 years later, at which time all the remaining wicked are destroyed. In the midst of all this confusion are nuclear wars and numerous other conflicts and strife whereby cities are levelled and most of the planet made uninhabitable. The scriptures mention great earthquakes whereby mountains are thrown into the sea. Where the earth itself, the entire planet, is tossed backward and forward like a yo yo.
Yet God's people are given this broken, poisoned, unsafe, wasteland as an inheritance? This is the earth the meek are to inherit?

You started with

• Creation, preceded by
• Darkness
• And void... Emptiness.

At the end of time the same order occurs. Darkness, a void, then a new creation... New heaven and new earth. The popular belief that the millennium is going to be a time of testing yet joy and fellowship with Jesus personally in charge, cannot be when one seriously considers the state of the planet, the coming darkness, the emptiness and then we have what Peter described... The heavens on fire and earth melting with fervent heat immediately before the new creation. Many peoples perception of the millennium are seriously out of harmony with scripture.

 

[APAK]

What is the calf of Samaria?

The idol worship of all the tribes of Israel....Hosea 8:5 " Throw away your calf idol O Samaria...."

1 Kings 12:28 described two golden calves placed at two locations in Israel -Bethel and Dan.

From Israel's inception, with the chance of receiving the Promised land from the wilderness, and to it final end of dismantlement as a nation of tribes back into the wilderness amongst the nations, they continued to make calves of gold with their own hands to worship instead of their God.

They hijacked the true worship at Jerusalem at the Temple, and make their own counterfeit organization, of priests, idols and sacrifices. Like the ones we see from the 4th century AD and today. They are all counterfeit 'Churches.'

From not only the physical dust you came and into the same dust you shall return, but also the same of their spiritual birth and death.....they (most) of them died in their sins, as depicted by two golden calves at both times - of their birth and death.

I already eluded to how many so-called professing Christians have gone down the same path as old Israel...to dust they shall return and never rise again.

 

[Ziggy]

@Ziggy your initial scripture quotes revealed an interesting direction of thought that perhaps went unappreciated. The current popular view of the future entails a time of intense tribulation followed by plagues that decimate areas of the planet with tremendous destruction. You quoted passages depicting that, and correctly saying that God's people will live through that, protected, but witnesses to God's judgement. Then, the second coming of Jesus, and Him taking God's people back to heaven with Him. Yet in the confusion of hermeneutics we have a variety of scenarios whereby some are raptured prior to the destruction, and return with Jesus 3 and a half years or 7 years later, at which time all the remaining wicked are destroyed. In the midst of all this confusion are nuclear wars and numerous other conflicts and strife whereby cities are levelled and most of the planet made uninhabitable. The scriptures mention great earthquakes whereby mountains are thrown into the sea. Where the earth itself, the entire planet, is tossed backward and forward like a yo yo.
Yet God's people are given this broken, poisoned, unsafe, wasteland as an inheritance? This is the earth the meek are to inherit?

You started with

• Creation, preceded by
• Darkness
• And void... Emptiness.

At the end of time the same order occurs. Darkness, a void, then a new creation... New heaven and new earth. The popular belief that the millennium is going to be a time of testing yet joy and fellowship with Jesus personally in charge, cannot be when one seriously considers the state of the planet, the coming darkness, the emptiness and then we have what Peter described... The heavens on fire and earth melting with fervent heat immediately before the new creation. Many peoples perception of the millennium are seriously out of harmony with scripture.

Perhaps it is the state of ones mind.
Paul goes through a list of turmoils and tribulations he has had to face, and yet through it all he finds contentment, peace.

Jhn 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Thinking of Noah. Noah was in the world riding the storm. Noah was also in the ark where he was safe and in peace.
The same is with us today.
If you don't have the Lord, if your not walking IN the Spirit of the Lord, then the tribulations of the world is all you will know.
You won't find peace.

Phl 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Phl 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Phl 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

How many people today are content with whatever situation they are in?
By the looks of it, not many.
They are worried about tomorrow, worried about yesterday, worried about today, this hour, this minute.
Some have never known what it is to be content.

Heb 13:5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Hugs

 

[Brakelite]

Perhaps it is the state of ones mind.
Paul goes through a list of turmoils and tribulations he has had to face, and yet through it all he finds contentment, peace.

Jhn 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Thinking of Noah. Noah was in the world riding the storm. Noah was also in the ark where he was safe and in peace.
The same is with us today.
If you don't have the Lord, if your not walking IN the Spirit of the Lord, then the tribulations of the world is all you will know.
You won't find peace.

Phl 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Phl 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Phl 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

How many people today are content with whatever situation they are in?
By the looks of it, not many.
They are worried about tomorrow, worried about yesterday, worried about today, this hour, this minute.
Some have never known what it is to be content.

Heb 13:5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Hugs

I would add however that those who walk in righteousness will suffer persecution. And Revelation is clear that the devil makes war against God's people in these last days... Yes, some of it will be psychological, but some will suffer physically also... Those who, as you said elsewhere, God believes are capable of standing. At the very end however, I do not believe any of God's people will suffer in any way. Good will protect them fully. It will accomplish nothing for the kingdom of the are martyred... No glory to God... No purpose for the gospel as by that time everyone... Every one everywhere, will have made their final decisions and are this locked into their destiny.
KJV Revelation 22:11-12
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

 

[Curtis]

Jhn 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
Jhn 1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
Jhn 1:8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
Jhn 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Without quoting the entire chapter...
I believe everyone is born with the light in them.
But they can reject the light.
Or they can receive or accept the light.

What is this light which lighteth EVERY man that cometh into the world?

Hugs

I have to disagree.

Not only are we not born with light in us, we are born into the kingdom of darkness, Satan’s kingdom, who is the god of this world ever since Adam turned dominion of the world over to him when he fell, and the only way out is to change kingdoms by coming to the light, which is Jesus.

Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

Joh 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

 

[Ziggy]

I have to disagree.

Not only are we not born with light in us, we are born into the kingdom of darkness, Satan’s kingdom, who is the god of this world ever since Adam turned dominion of the world over to him when he fell, and the only way out is to change kingdoms by coming to the light, which is Jesus.

Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

Joh 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

I hear what your saying..
I believe every man comes into the world with the "light" in them.
They can choose evil or they can choose good.
When we come into the world we are innocent of either good or bad.
For such is the Kingdom of God.

It is not until we are "men" that one determines to choose good or evil.
And MEN loved darkness rather than light, because their DEEDS were evil.
Little chilldren are not men and neither do they do deeds.
But there comes a point when we, like Adam and Eve get to choose if we will walk in the light or walk in the darkness.
A world without light, will raise their children never knowing the light.
A world with no darkness will raise their children only knowing the light.
Until.... there is something that draws them away.
Like rebellious teenagers, if you ever had one,
at some point they decide that they know better than you, and they fight you at every turn.
And then a bit later, some will turn and say, Mom, Dad, you were right I should have listened.
And others... sometimes they never return. They have set their foot to their path and nothing will change their minds.

The Bible isn't just words on paper. It's real life circumstances that we can relate to.
If you can hear it.

Thank You
Hugs

 

[VictoryinJesus]

KJV Revelation 22:11-12
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

have you ever considered “he that is unjust, let him be unjust still. And he that is filthy, let him be filthy still …” could Be: stop trying to justify the deeds of the flesh And make them clean? But instead let that which is unjust be unjust still instead of glorying in the flesh. And him that is filthy let him be filthy still. That same passage concerning the above goes on to say that which is without…what is without? Very crucial is without Revelation 22:15 are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.


he that is unjust, let him be unjust still. And he that is filthy, let him be filthy still …
Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

then He goes on to say we are not in the flesh but live by faith in the Spirit of God, that which is not without but within; righteous still, Holy still. Yes, consider those that make their boast in the flesh as not being unjust and filthy still. But He said “let it be” dead “let it be unjust still. Let it be filthy still” Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. [21] I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Galatians 3:2-4 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? [3] Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect (justified)by the flesh? [4] (he that is unjust, let him be unjust still. And he that is filthy, let him be filthy still) Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet (still)in vain.

 

[Emily Nghiem]

I hear what your saying..
I believe every man comes into the world with the "light" in them.
They can choose evil or they can choose good.
When we come into the world we are innocent of either good or bad.
For such is the Kingdom of God.

It is not until we are "men" that one determines to choose good or evil.
And MEN loved darkness rather than light, because their DEEDS were evil.
Little chilldren are not men and neither do they do deeds.
But there comes a point when we, like Adam and Eve get to choose if we will walk in the light or walk in the darkness.
A world without light, will raise their children never knowing the light.
A world with no darkness will raise their children only knowing the light.
Until.... there is something that draws them away.
Like rebellious teenagers, if you ever had one,
at some point they decide that they know better than you, and they fight you at every turn.
And then a bit later, some will turn and say, Mom, Dad, you were right I should have listened.
And others... sometimes they never return. They have set their foot to their path and nothing will change their minds.

The Bible isn't just words on paper. It's real life circumstances that we can relate to.
If you can hear it.

Thank You
Hugs

Thanks @Ziggy and @Curtis
both your postings remind me of the nature of light.
As one teacher explained it, even if a cave has been closed
for hundreds of years in mass darkness, it only takes one
tiny crack or flicker of light, and that little bit, even if just
a tiny match flame, is enough to see and overpower the darkness
that is much greater in size.

I shared this with a friend once who was losing faith.
People were rejecting his message he was trying to share,
and he felt lost and left out. When I told him what the monk
said, that it only takes one tiny bit of light to overpower the darkness,
he completely lit up. somehow this hit the right button with him.
So many other people outnumbering him and me were telling him negative things, overwhelming him.
But just one positive glimpse of truth, shared between us,
overcame everything else that was much more oppressive and coming from a much larger group.

Again, the idea of very few finding the narrow gate
reminds me of instances like this, when there is so much more negative
falsehoods and fears detracting us from God's truth.
But it only takes the faith of a tiny mustard seed,
or the tiny bit of light, and that is enough, the
2% that is good somehow outweighs the rest.

Another friend in ministry explained it like a diamond.
When people cut away at us, to the core, it seems cruel and hurtful.
But this is like carving away at rock that is worthless
to get to the rare tiny diamond inside that is priceless.

The process of cutting a diamond starts by mining and digging
away tons of useless dirt, then taking the rocks and cutting them away.
And cutting the diamond takes even more careful refinement.

So again, the majority of the material is rock and dirt.
But the tiniest piece left, is actually the most brilliant and worth
more than any of the rest.

That tiny bit is in ALL of us.

It does not mean to judge the rest of humanity as left out of salvation
because the majority take the broad path of destruction.
This means ALL of us are more prone to material convenience
and personal bias in self interest first.
And the fine path to follow is very narrow
in ALL of us.

We ALL go through the process of setting aside material
thinking and convenience, and sticking to the narrow
passage that is perfectly aligned and united with all others in Christ.

The tiniest % is more critical than the rest.

This is true for each person and each relationship we have with others.
It does not mean to judge people as whether that "whole person" is
part of the few who shall be saved.

It means for us to look for the diamond in each person
and each relationship, not throw out the diamond along with the worthless rock.

 

[Ziggy]

have you ever considered “he that is unjust, let him be unjust still. And he that is filthy, let him be filthy still …” could Be: stop trying to justify the deeds of the flesh And make them clean? But instead let that which is unjust be unjust still instead of glorying in the flesh. And him that is filthy let him be filthy still. That same passage concerning the above goes on to say that which is without…what is without? Very crucial is without Revelation 22:15 are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.


he that is unjust, let him be unjust still. And he that is filthy, let him be filthy still …
Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

then He goes on to say we are not in the flesh but live by faith in the Spirit of God, that which is not without but within; righteous still, Holy still. Yes, consider those that make their boast in the flesh as not being unjust and filthy still. But He said “let it be” dead “let it be unjust still. Let it be filthy still” Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. [21] I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Galatians 3:2-4 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? [3] Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect (justified)by the flesh? [4] (he that is unjust, let him be unjust still. And he that is filthy, let him be filthy still) Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet (still)in vain.

I looked at another translation from the NLT:

Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.”

Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Could this verse be speaking of the wheat and the chaff though?
The wheat and the tares?
Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord..
I shall say, I never knew thee..
These are the "withouts" ?

The rewards the Lord is bringing with him are according to the works: do harm, be vile, is righteous, is holy.

You are looking from the inside out instead of from the outside in.
I hear you...
Looking at it from Paul's perspective, speaking of the church,
Looking at it from the Lord's perspective, speaking of the world.

I believe the book of Revelation is looking at it from the Lord's perspective.
But I can hear what your saying, concerning Paul's perspective.
Let the flesh die, let it be filthy, let it be vile... you are no longer in the flesh... let it go.

I don't know if that's what Revelation is saying though.
Very interesting.
Hugs

 

[farouk]

Thanks @Ziggy and @Curtis
both your postings remind me of the nature of light.
As one teacher explained it, even if a cave has been closed
for hundreds of years in mass darkness, it only takes one
tiny crack or flicker of light, and that little bit, even if just
a tiny match flame, is enough to see and overpower the darkness
that is much greater in size.

I shared this with a friend once who was losing faith.
People were rejecting his message he was trying to share,
and he felt lost and left out. When I told him what the monk
said, that it only takes one tiny bit of light to overpower the darkness,
he completely lit up. somehow this hit the right button with him.
So many other people outnumbering him and me were telling him negative things, overwhelming him.
But just one positive glimpse of truth, shared between us,
overcame everything else that was much more oppressive and coming from a much larger group.

Again, the idea of very few finding the narrow gate
reminds me of instances like this, when there is so much more negative
falsehoods and fears detracting us from God's truth.
But it only takes the faith of a tiny mustard seed,
or the tiny bit of light, and that is enough, the
2% that is good somehow outweighs the rest.

Another friend in ministry explained it like a diamond.
When people cut away at us, to the core, it seems cruel and hurtful.
But this is like carving away at rock that is worthless
to get to the rare tiny diamond inside that is priceless.

The process of cutting a diamond starts by mining and digging
away tons of useless dirt, then taking the rocks and cutting them away.
And cutting the diamond takes even more careful refinement.

So again, the majority of the material is rock and dirt.
But the tiniest piece left, is actually the most brilliant and worth
more than any of the rest.

That tiny bit is in ALL of us.

It does not mean to judge the rest of humanity as left out of salvation
because the majority take the broad path of destruction.
This means ALL of us are more prone to material convenience
and personal bias in self interest first.
And the fine path to follow is very narrow
in ALL of us.

We ALL go through the process of setting aside material
thinking and convenience, and sticking to the narrow
passage that is perfectly aligned and united with all others in Christ.

The tiniest % is more critical than the rest.

This is true for each person and each relationship we have with others.
It does not mean to judge people as whether that "whole person" is
part of the few who shall be saved.

It means for us to look for the diamond in each person
and each relationship, not throw out the diamond along with the worthless rock.

Hi @Emily Nghiem , I love John's First Epistle with its references to light, walking in the light and fellowship, both Godward and manward. (But there is no divine light in us until we are born of God.)

 

[Curtis]

I hear what your saying..
I believe every man comes into the world with the "light" in them.
They can choose evil or they can choose good.
When we come into the world we are innocent of either good or bad.
For such is the Kingdom of God.

It is not until we are "men" that one determines to choose good or evil.
And MEN loved darkness rather than light, because their DEEDS were evil.
Little chilldren are not men and neither do they do deeds.
But there comes a point when we, like Adam and Eve get to choose if we will walk in the light or walk in the darkness.
A world without light, will raise their children never knowing the light.
A world with no darkness will raise their children only knowing the light.
Until.... there is something that draws them away.
Like rebellious teenagers, if you ever had one,
at some point they decide that they know better than you, and they fight you at every turn.
And then a bit later, some will turn and say, Mom, Dad, you were right I should have listened.
And others... sometimes they never return. They have set their foot to their path and nothing will change their minds.

The Bible isn't just words on paper. It's real life circumstances that we can relate to.
If you can hear it.

Thank You
Hugs

You’re talking about little children being innocent, which is true. Jesus in fact said unless we become as little children we can’t enter heaven.

This counters the twisted doctrine of Calvinists, that claims if an infant, baby or little child dies, they will go to hell if they aren’t the predestined elect.

Every one of the above who dies goes to heaven - and they don’t take a dirt nap first either, as some others claim.

Shalom

 

[VictoryinJesus]

I looked at another translation from the NLT:

Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.”

Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Could this verse be speaking of the wheat and the chaff though?
The wheat and the tares?
Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord..
I shall say, I never knew thee..
These are the "withouts" ?

The rewards the Lord is bringing with him are according to the works: do harm, be vile, is righteous, is holy.

You are looking from the inside out instead of from the outside in.
I hear you...
Looking at it from Paul's perspective, speaking of the church,
Looking at it from the Lord's perspective, speaking of the world.

I believe the book of Revelation is looking at it from the Lord's perspective.
But I can hear what your saying, concerning Paul's perspective.
Let the flesh die, let it be filthy, let it be vile... you are no longer in the flesh... let it go.

I don't know if that's what Revelation is saying though.
Very interesting.
Hugs

I don’t know…but I did look it up in Lexicon. All the different translations are confusing. But if it is let him doing the harm continue to do harm. Consider Jesus Christ saying Luke 16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
I get that verse is controversial but why go, continue on and make friends with the mammon of righteousness whereby He already knew “that, when you fail” …

 

[Emily Nghiem]

In general, I think the focus is more on what WE do ourselves to stay in line with God through Christ.

I think it gets skewed when we start focusing on "what others are doing or teaching right or wrong."

 

[farouk]

In general, I think the focus is more on what WE do ourselves to stay in line with God through Christ.

I think it gets skewed when we start focusing on "what others are doing or teaching right or wrong."

In the end it's really all about resting in His finished work for believers, (Hebrews ch.s 9 & 10).

 

[Enoch111]

Jer 4:23 I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.

Many prophecies combine various elements and different time frames. So Jeremiah was speaking about two things (1) the desolation which will come upon the earth after the day of the LORD, and (2) the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah by the Babylonians (his primary focus).

Jeremiah was told to warn the kings and the people of Judah that judgment was impending because of their wicked ways. But they failed to repent and Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed, and Judah was laid waste, and many were carried away captive to Babylon. So to some extent he is speaking of Judah, but he is also prophesying about what is in the future for this world.

 

[Ziggy]

Walking it through...

Mat 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
Mat 6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

NLT: “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light.
But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

Pro 20:12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.

Pro 22:9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

Pro 23:6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2Co 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

NLT: For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Gen 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

Mat 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Mat 21:32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

1Pe 2:9 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:

Definately food for thought.

How can one fall from Grace unless one was in Grace to begin with?
If one always walked in darkness, then how can one repent and RETURN unto the light?
When did God cause this light to shine in our hearts so we could know him?

Just thinking..
Thank You
Hugs

 

[Ronald David Bruno]

I was looking at this word "void" in particular.

Gen 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Jer 4:23 I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.

bôhûw, bo'-hoo; from an unused root (meaning to be empty); a vacuity, i.e. (superficially) an undistinguishable ruin:—emptiness, void.

Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Isa 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Isa 13:9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

Eze 30:3 For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.

Amo 5:18 Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.

Oba 1:15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.

This destruction if the first earth and heaven is likely 1000 + a few years away.
The Great Tribulation coming soon, (if we are already not in it), precedes the Millennial Kingdom, and cannot be this event as described in 2 Pet. 3:10 or in Rev. 21:1. The Lord will literally reign on earth for 1000 years before He destroys the first earth and first heavens. Otherwise, why go through all these events in the Seals, Trumpets and Bowls if He was going to just come and torch everything. Paradise will be reborn on this current earth.
I suppose one could include this Great Tribulation + the 1000 years within the "Day of the Lord". ? Since to God, a day is like a 1000 years and 1000 years like a day. And if His creation is only 6000 years old, then the last Millennium would be His Earthy Kingdom and our day of rest and peace... my two cents.

 

[Ziggy]

Many prophecies combine various elements and different time frames. So Jeremiah was speaking about two things (1) the desolation which will come upon the earth after the day of the LORD, and (2) the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah by the Babylonians (his primary focus).

Jeremiah was told to warn the kings and the people of Judah that judgment was impending because of their wicked ways. But they failed to repent and Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed, and Judah was laid waste, and many were carried away captive to Babylon. So to some extent he is speaking of Judah, but he is also prophesying about what is in the future for this world.

I also see it as an explanation as to how the world became void when God created it in the beginning.
I believe everything we ever needed to know was not only taught in kindergarten, but in the book of Genesis as well.

Isa 41:4 Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.

Gen 2:4
These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,

Act 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

God created the plan from the beginning.
The rising and falling of nations.
The beginings and the endings of the generations.

I'm just curious how many times we come round this course.
Infinity....

Thinking..
Hugs

 

[Ziggy]

This destruction if the first earth and heaven is likely 1000 + a few years away.
The Great Tribulation coming soon, (if we are already not in it), precedes the Millennial Kingdom, and cannot be this event as described in 2 Pet. 3:10 or in Rev. 21:1. The Lord will literally reign on earth for 1000 years before He destroys the first earth and first heavens. Otherwise, why go through all these events in the Seals, Trumpets and Bowls if He was going to just come and torch everything. Paradise will be reborn on this current earth.
I suppose one could include this Great Tribulation + the 1000 years within the "Day of the Lord". ? Since to God, a day is like a 1000 years and 1000 years like a day. And if His creation is only 6000 years old, then the last Millennium would be His Earthy Kingdom and our day of rest and peace... my two cents.

How long do you think God was walking with Adam in the garden (paradise) , before Adam was cast out?
God cursed the ground for his sake...

I believe the "void" in the first verse of Genesis, is the same "void" in Jeremiah, and the same "void" that Peter sees with the destruction of the elements and such.
I believe history repeats itself and God has given us a road map from beginning to end.
And the ending reveals what happened in the beginning.

These are the generations of the heavens and the earth.

Thinking..
Thank You
Hugs

 

[farouk]

Walking it through...

Mat 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
Mat 6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

NLT: “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light.
But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

Pro 20:12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.

Pro 22:9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

Pro 23:6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2Co 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

NLT: For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Gen 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

Mat 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Mat 21:32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

1Pe 2:9 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:

Definately food for thought.

How can one fall from Grace unless one was in Grace to begin with?
If one always walked in darkness, then how can one repent and RETURN unto the light?
When did God cause this light to shine in our hearts so we could know him?

Just thinking..
Thank You
Hugs

@Ziggy Great quotes the about light; and John's First Epistle has some also...