How can I believe?

Give us the quotes you question there are many hidden/unclear things in the Bible sometimes its the English that doesn't portray that Hebrew or Greek . Or there are verse's that are meant figuratively or spiritually rather than literal there are all kinds of things you could be misunderstanding We do not mind someone questioning verse's we will do our best to help you understand.Or tell us which thoughts you do not understand we will be glad to help explain them

God is not a liar,and we so often force His hand when He tells us if we do wrong we must pay for it.He is the God of love,but we must remember He is also the God of justice.

(FollowChrist;27637)
Exodus 12 - And at midnight Yahweh struck down all the first-born in Egypt from the first-born of Pharaoh, heir to his throne, to the first-born of the prisoner in the dungeon, and the first-born of all the livestock. Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up in the night, and there was a great wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without its dead. Exodus 22 - You will not suffer a witch to live. Leviticus 20 - The man who has intercourse with a man in the same way as with a woman: they have done a hateful thing together; they will be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. Genesis 3 - To the woman he said: "I shall give you intense pain in childbearing, you will give birth to your children in pain. Your yearning will be for your husband, and he will dominate you."Deuteronomy 22 - If a man marries a woman, has sexual intercourse with her and then, turning against her, taxes her with misconduct and publicly defames her by saying, "I married this woman and when I had sexual intercourse with her I did not find evidence of her virginity", the girl's father and mother must take the evidence of her virginity and produce it before the elders of the town, at the gate. But if the accusation that the girl cannot show evidence of virginity is substantiated, she must be taken out, and at the door of her father's house her fellow-citizens must stone her to death for having committed an infamy in Israel by bringing disgrace on her father's family.Deuteronomy 28 - If you do not keep and observe all the words of this Law, which are written in this book, in the fear of this glorious and awe-inspiring name: Yahweh your God, Yahweh will strike you down with monstrous plagues, you and your descendants: with plagues grievous and lasting, diseases pernicious and enduring.2 Kings 2 - From there he (Elisha) went up to Bethel, and while he was on the road, some small boys came out of the town and jeered at him. "Hurry up, baldy!" they shouted. "Come on up, baldy!" He turned round and looked at them; and he cursed them in the name of Yahweh. And two bears came out of the forest and savaged forty-two of the boys. From there he went on to Mount Carmel and then returned to Samaria.Revelation 21 - But the legacy for cowards, for those who break their word, or worship obscenities, for murderers and the sexually immoral, and for sorcerers, worshippers of false gods or any other sort of liars, is the second death in the burning lake of sulphur.In addition to these horrible versus(at least that's how I see them, so yes I need some help here ), I can't believe in the concept of an eternal hell, and the whole necessity or reasoning behind the suffering of Christ's death. God taught us to "forgive and forget" so I don't believe Jesus had to suffer THAT badly in order to justify the law of forgiveness for our sins, seems like an oxymoron here. Sure it may have happened, but why did such a horrifying event have to take place, isn't repentence good enough??
You have to have some understanding from Gods perspective instead of a human perspective. God has goal in mind to save ALL his children's souls he isnt as much concerned with our physical bodies as flesh is only a temporary state (to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord) God does not view physical death as we do.In fact we are all changed into our spirit bodies at his second coming.The pharaoh had plenty of chances to know and comply with Gods will but he would not (you have to remember the Hebrews were slaves and not treated well ) God had a plan for these people to bring about a savior for All his children should all his children die for the sake of a few hundred Egyptains that had tortured his choosen people (family)???In Genesis the pain of childbirth was a punishment for Eves sin which was much greater than eating forbidden fruit (see our study true sin in the garden)but her sin was to introduce evil into the World that would attempt to destroynot only the bloodline of Christ thus dooming us all to death by sin, but also to introduce a line of evil that lasts until this very day. The pain in childbirth was to remind us of this sin so that we may forever guard against it.God created man and woman for each other to populate the earth. And it was perfect and good. It was Satan who introduced sodomy and sin into the earth. God says this unnatural leads to disease and is not how or why he created us. Now he never told us to hate one that commits these sins we are to love the person sinning but hate the act of the sin.The punishment for these crimes was death God was trying to create a moral society for us (not to us)as none existed at the time. These people could not repent because repentance did not exist until after Christ died for our sinsso death was the penalty. Christ died for all sin that had ever been committed or would ever be committed and made it possible for us to just repent and not suffer death for sins. He willing did so. And as for Rev, the second death is the death of your soul Now God has made it possible by giving the life of his son for each of us to just believe on him and ask for forgiveness if one chooses of his own free will to practice these abominations they will die the second death. This is not burning in hell forever that is a misunderstanding of Gods Word you will simply cease to exist you will not be remembered anymore as if you never were.

Even believing is a gift from God. If you try to understand the Bible just with your own understanding in flesh, it doesn't make sense. You need to be born again and then Holy Spirit will start to give you understanding what you read. Ask Him. It's child like faith, yes sounds maybe stupid,but that's How God did it. The Bible, Jesus dying for us is crazy idea for the world to understand in fleshly thinking. God is so much bigger than us, His understanding so much greater than ours.It's about free choice do you want to believe honestly. You should join the church, where you will have supporters and you would have close Christian friends, fellowship is important. God is so holy that even our best deeds would not be enough for Him, we are sinners since Adam and Eve. We can't never be totally perfect, that's why God sent Jesus, so that we can have close relationship with God, Our Heavenly Father. Jesus understands, when you go through difficulties, when other people don't understand, He also rejoices with you when others might be jealous of you etc. for right reasons of course. Jesus can emphatize with you. He came to show what kind of Heavenly Father we have. Old testament can be confusing at first, better to start with New Testament.God Bless!

Remember He will reveal to you that which He believes you are capable of understanding as you are capable.Many who believe in the Lord of the NT have difficulty associating Him with the Lord of the OT.We must have faith they are one in the same because Christ confirmed the OT and dictated thru the Holy Spirit the entire Bible.

actually, an eternal hell isn't really all that biblical.eternal seperation from God. non-existance. it seems it goes along the lines of you pay for your sins, and then you cease to exist. thats the annihalation view.which doesn't make sense to me, because it seems kinda pointless.don't the catholics believe in a stage where people pay for their sins and then get a chance to be forgiven and then go to heaven, purgatory or something?

Hi, If you pick and chose what you believe, then what foundation do you have to build your faith on, I might be able to help you if you tell me what you find hard to believe.Don't let the devil rob you of all the good things you can have through faith in God and his Word. Alan.

(FollowChrist;27637)
In addition to these horrible versus(at least that's how I see them, so yes I need some help here ), I can't believe in the concept of an eternal hell, and the whole necessity or reasoning behind the suffering of Christ's death. God taught us to "forgive and forget" so I don't believe Jesus had to suffer THAT badly in order to justify the law of forgiveness for our sins, seems like an oxymoron here. Sure it may have happened, but why did such a horrifying event have to take place, isn't repentence good enough??
I can't help with the "eternal hell" part of your question as I am still confused about that myself. Jesus having to suffer and die on the cross was to give us an example or physical proof, if you will, of how we can also overcome death if we have faith in Him and His sacrifice for us. People didn't believe Jesus' words alot of the time, let alone anyone else's, so why would anyone back then believe we can be forgiven and have salvation unless someone set the example?People want tangible/visible proof of just about everything, so Jesus' death and resurrection was the Proof for all of us.

Which part of an hell for eternity is confusing? Because if its the eternity part than your in the same boat as everyone else. An eternity is just to large of a concept for our minds to grasp because our minds run on spans of time.

(FollowChrist;27632)
How can I believe in God of the bible and everything that the book portrays(I believe in some of it). I'm not going to post any of the quotes that I find to be in opposition of a loving God...but I just can't seem to believe all of it to be true as bad as I want to. What do I do?Btw, I'm not looking to debate, I'm just looking for some insight and opinions.
Dear FollowChrist, I hope the following will help you to understand the true nature of God. The "anger of the Lord" and "God smote (killed)" are figures of speech and therefore should not be taken literally. Too often in Christianity "the anger of the lord" and "God smote" is taken literally and thus misrepresented. Due to the failure to study these passages in light of "Figures of Speech," the true meaning is misinterpreted and we therefore no longer have the accuracy of God's Word. A misunderstanding of these phrases allows an "ungodly" kind of fear to enter into the hearts of God's people. Figures of speech in the Bible from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 are the Holy Spirit's marking as to what is important and is to be emphasized in the Word. A figure of speech is not something to be guessed about. Figures of speech are legitimate grammatical usages which depart from literal language to call attention to themselves. For example, if we have not had any rain for a long time, we could say "the ground is dry." But if we were to say "the ground is thirsty," that is a figure of speech. The figure of speech is always more vivid than the literal statement itself.* The Word of God is to be accepted literally whenever and wherever possible. When a word or words fail to be true to fact, they are figures of speech.--------------------------------------------The Figure of Speech: IDIOM The Greek root is idios; one's own. An idiom is a usage of a word or words particular to a language or culture. (Example: that language's "own" usage.) The words are not to be taken literally.There are many variations to one figure of speech. In this study, we will be looking at the "idiom of permission."This Hebrew idiom is important and necessary in understanding the Old Testament. Active verbs were used by the Hebrews to express, not the doing of the action, but the "permission" of the action. Below are a few examplesExodus 4:21:...but I will harden his heart that he shall not let the people go.The Pharaoh hardened his own heart because He opposed God by not letting His people go.Exodus 5:22 --- And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?Jeremiah 4:10:. . .Lord God, surely thou hast greatly deceived this people. . . Since they would not follow in God's statutes, which were good, He permitted them to have their own laws or ordinances, which were not good.II Samuel 6:7 --- And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.Exodus 4:14 --- And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses...Isaiah 52:10 --- The Lord hath made bare his holy arm...*(To Be Continued...)

:study:PART 11 - Figures of Speech in the Bible - God's Anger - God Smote I would like to focus in on II Samuel 6:7 because this verse contains both figures of speech: The anger of the Lord (condescensio) and God smote (idiom of permission).*The word "anger" in the Hebrew is aph, which means "anger, wrath." Aph is taken from its root word anaph and means, "to be angry, to be displeased, to breathe hard." The Hebrew word for "kindled" is charah and means, "hot, burn, furious, become angry." II Samuel 6:7 states that God 's anger kindled against Uzzah and He smote him for his error. However, when a figure of speech is involved, what it states and what it is ACTUALLY is saying can mean two different things.Both these figures of speech draw a vivid mental picture for us because we all can relate to anger and death. The purpose of the Holy Spirit's markings is to draw attention to or place emphasis on a particular subject or event. When we read "God's anger or wrath and "God smote," we axiomatically look at the object or source of His anger. This is God's way of guiding our attention to that which is contrary to His Word and Will. There are many Christians today who accept the idea that God was literally furious with Uzzah and therefore literally smote or killed him. Is this what God is really saying? Is this the mental picture God is drawing for us of Himself? In order to understand the expression "the anger of the Lord," we need to understand what God's anger does not mean."...In their anger they slew a man..." God calls this anger that killed a man, "fierce." Fierce means mighty, strong, forceful, and hardened. God is not fierce, forceful or hardened. God also calls their anger or wrath "cruel." Cruel means harden, stiff-necked, stubborn, pig-headed, severe and fierce. God is all light and all love, not cruel. It is obvious from these few verses that "...the anger of the Lord...and God smote..." is not a literal phrase.*The people in the Old Testament knew little about spirits and spiritual influences. They did not know what we know (Luke 10:24 and Colossians 2:15). It was available to know some things about spirits and spiritual influences (Numbers 5:14; Judges 9:23; I Samuel 16:14; Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:13-19; I kings 22:22; Job 1:6-12; I Chronicles 21:1).The children of Israel were not to mention other gods (Exodus 23:13). The "idiom of permission" allows God to be always in control of the situation. Satan is never glorified.We know that the wording "God smote," has to be an idiomatic usage of the language by knowing the New Testament which testifies that God is both Love and Light.

• God IS Love: I John 4:8: He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

• God IS Light: I John 1:5: This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

God did not have an angry "nature" in the Old Testament and a loving, good and kind nature in the New Testament.Malachi 3:6a --- For I am the Lord, I change not. . . .----------------------------------------------"The anger of the Lord" is this figure of speech, "condescensio," which attributes the human characteristic "anger" to God. God is Spirit. He does not have the human emotion of anger such as we do; therefore, it is not true to fact and should not be taken in the literal sense of the meaning."God smote" is also a figure of speech called "idiom of permission." God smote Uzzah means God permitted or allowed Uzzah to die. The Old Testament is God dealing with Israel. Uzzah and the children of Israel were under the law of Moses along with other certain civil rulings. As a reminder, it was Israel who wanted the law; not God. They put themselves under the covenant of works and if they broke certain laws, a penalty was paid. In Uzzah's situation, the penalty was death.Uzzah disobeyed the commandment God gave concerning touching a holy thing. He touched the Ark and what God said would happen, happened because Uzzah died. What ACTUALLY took place concerning "the anger of the Lord kindled against Uzzah and God smote him for his error..." is NOT that God killed Uzzah on account of His wrath, but that Uzzah, because he broke God's commandment, brought upon himself the consequences or outcome of his own disobedience and negligence. In understanding the figures of speech employed here, we see this passage of scripture in a whole different light. We cannot separate God's love or nature from His "wrath or anger." God's "nature" is love. God*loved Uzzah and therefore He would not want to kill him. If anything would anger or displease God, it would be the lost one of His children. All of God's people are precious in His sight.Some unfortunately believe this verse to mean that it is precious or good in the sight of God that he is dead. This is wrongly dividing the Word. It is never a good thing in God's eyes for His any of His children to die. Also, when one of His people die, they can not do any good for God and His people. The word "precious" in the text is "costly." It cost God when a "believer" dies. "Costly in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saint.Satan is the Author of death. This is not to say that he literally causes "every" accident or bad thing to happen. If someone is careless and slips on a pavement covered with ice, falls and dies, we could not say that Satan or a devil spirit caused the accident. However, death is the result of Satan's nature. Corruption and death entered into the bloodstream of man when Satan ushered sin into the garden of Eden.Satan holds the power of sickness and deathIn the Gospel of Luke.Satan bound this woman and Jesus Christ loosed or freed her from her bond. Satan did it...not God. God tells us in His Word that "death" is an "enemy." It is the last enemy that shall be destroyed or done away with. God is not in favor of death at all.God bless you,Agape

(followerofchrist;29179)
Which part of an hell for eternity is confusing? Because if its the eternity part than your in the same boat as everyone else. An eternity is just to large of a concept for our minds to grasp because our minds run on spans of time.
It's confusing to me because I don't really know if it is scriptural or not. I've heard and read a couple of different interpretations and I'm not sure which I am leaning towards at this point. It is on my list of things to study up on in the scriptures.But yes, you are right the concept of anything being "eternal" is definately confusing because we humans cannot perceive what that means.

Dear FollowChrist,It is good that you would like to seek the Lord. Because He is the representation of light.My suggestion to you is you can pray to Him for guidance, saying that you want to believe. Because that is how I became a Christian. The Bible is a very hard to understand book because without reading it from a spiritual point of view, you'd go bananas.And there are thousands and thousands of Christians out there who also do not understand most of the things the Bible teaches.However, they do understand one thing, and that is God's love towards each one of them.Because God is love. Therefore if you want to understand His words, you must first understand His love. Edit article..........28/01/2008: And His love is that He died for you so that you may be saved. May our Lord Jesus Christ bless you and lead you into believing in Him.Amen.

Understanding "hell" = the Second Death and is not a place of everlasting torment!That hell is taught to be to be a place of unending, conscious pain and agonizing torment surely paints a false picture of God as being cruel, unloving, uncaring and unmerciful. Such teachings are based on man's wrong division of the Word of Truth and not understanding the true nature of God which is all love, all good and all light. In God there is no darkness at all. The people who are going to be destroyed willingly did not accept or receive the love of God and of the truth that is presented to them for the purpose that they should be saved. God gives every person the opportunity to believe Him and His Word.We need to keep in mind that those who willingly reject God and the Lord Jesus Christ, hate that which is good and love that which is evil. They hate God, His Son and all people who love, believe in and stand for the True God. The people who remain unsaved because they purposely and knowingly reject the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life take upon themselves their own destruction, which is the second and final death. In Revelation, the lake of fire refers to the unquenchable fire of God's judgment which will occur in the future. It is the place where fire will bring to pass the ultimate annihilation of the devil and his hosts.Revelation 21:8:But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part of the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.or eternal death.In Revelation 20:14 above, the King James Version translated the Greek word ades as "hell"- but a better translation would be the word "gravedom" which is the continuing state of death, of being dead (refer to Acts 2:24-33 and Revelation 1:18).Also, it is worth noting here that the Greek word gehenna is traditionally translated "hell" which is a word derived from "to hide, conceal, hidden" – however, it actually refers to the "valley of Hinnom" where people used to burn their fires to devils and false-gods but which King Josiah destroyed and the valley was later used to burn all that was against God (refer to Joshua 15:8; II Kings 23:10; II Chronicles 28:3; Isaiah 30:27-33; Jeremiah 7:31 and 32). During Jesus' time this valley was used to burn Jerusalem's refuse/trash and these fires were continuously burning. Jesus used it symbolically, for example in Matthew 23:15 and 33, to refer to the unquenchable fire of God's judgment, including the lake of fire.The King James Version phrase "for ever and ever" in Revelation 20:10 above would be better translated as "into the ages of the ages" - this does not mean that what is put into the lake of fire will continue to live (exist) forever without any end - but it means that they will never escape from the lake of fire. The life (existence) of those put into this lake of fire will be limited to the length of time from entry until they will be burned completely, destroyed, exterminated, reduced to ashes. Malachi 4:1 says that the wicked will be burned up and be no more. Ezekiel 28:18 foretold this destruction by fire that would bring satan "to ashes." It is not the will of God that any man should perish, but God is a just God and has given every man a free will to choose or to not choose eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ. John 3:16 --- For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life."Whosoever believeth in him (the Lord Jesus Christ) SHOULD NOT PERISH, but have ETERNAL LIFE.God bless you,Agape

Agape is right on here FollowMalachi 4:1 says that the wicked will be burned up and be no more.This does not mean burning forever it means one will be gone as if they never were no one will ever even remember them a loving God does not eternally toture someoneBurning in hell is a largely Catholic beleif (although some others take this belief) its not a the biblical teaching.