I've been known to be a little scatter-brained. I tend to think that everything relates to everything. Please forgive me if I get off track.
I'm getting to the point in my participation here that I'm beginning to think of myself as invested in this virtual community. So I care about the people who gather here. Some of what is said worries, frustrates, and/or frightens me. I have an understanding of end-time prophecy that I believe very truly. I don't expect everyone to agree with me. But the gist of it is that at the very end, good and evil will rise to a cataclysmic, crashing crescendo that will make it necessary for Jesus to intervene with His second coming.
I know it sounds dramatic, but for the longest time I have been impressed (almost constantly) by the prayer of Jesus in John 17. I think Jesus is everything. And I think He really means what He says.
I've been accused of suggesting that some Scripture is more inspired than others. And in some cases, I think the accusation is valid, in a way. I'm just being transparent here but I think of the Word of God as food. And to related to taste, I think of most of Scripture as bread, but the words that are printed in red ink in many Bibles are like a hot fudge sundae. Men's words are like thin air unless they express God's Word. I've believed this way since I was a little kid. I know this will put some people off and I'm sorry for that, especially to those who are downright offended by it.
I don't think Jesus is getting what He asked for. That is the tragedy of tragedies. I know it will all work out for Him in the end, but I feel guilty for my part in denying Him His petition, and I just wonder if anyone else feels that way. I believe we have a part to play in the outcome.
He says in John 17:11:
Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.
How is this going to be achieved, one might wonder. I believe the answer is found here:
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all unto me. (John 12:32)
How close does He expect to draw all unto Him? I can't help but think the answer is:
As close as absolutely possible
So how close will we be to each other when we portray Him to each other as being lifted up and are then drawn as close to Him as is possible?
Does anyone think we have done our part to achieve this?
Am I being unreasonable or idealistic?
Or do we need revival and reformation?
Or is it enough that we are just found in the "saved" column of the books?
Should we care about how Jesus feels or should our own spiritual safety be the all-encompassing priority in our lives?
Is our allegiance to our denominations, congregations, or personally-held theologies keeping us from doing our part to fulfill the wishes of our Saviour?
For my part, I believe the answer is "Yes" to all three.
In fact, I doubt that anyone can rightly answer "No" to the question because I don't believe it's a matter of whether any of us are guilty or not, but in what manner, to what extent, and what our intentions are to rectify our guilt.
I guess this could be swept away as a leveling of false accusation for some and, if that be the case, I can accept that.
The creation of this thread and its original post is not, in any way, meant to be a call for debating doctrines, but if it deteriorates into that, I can accept it.
CC:
@amadeus @Backlit @Ronald David Bruno @Ronald Nolette @bbyrd009 @Desire Of All Nations @David in NJ @Truman @Heart2Soul @Josho @Ferris Bueller @quietthinker @WalterandDebbie @theefaith @marks @charity @TLHKAJ @liafailrock @FluffyYellowDuck @Sabertooth @Taken @Rita @MatthewG @JohnPaul @Cassandra @Eternally Grateful
I'm getting to the point in my participation here that I'm beginning to think of myself as invested in this virtual community. So I care about the people who gather here. Some of what is said worries, frustrates, and/or frightens me. I have an understanding of end-time prophecy that I believe very truly. I don't expect everyone to agree with me. But the gist of it is that at the very end, good and evil will rise to a cataclysmic, crashing crescendo that will make it necessary for Jesus to intervene with His second coming.
I know it sounds dramatic, but for the longest time I have been impressed (almost constantly) by the prayer of Jesus in John 17. I think Jesus is everything. And I think He really means what He says.
I've been accused of suggesting that some Scripture is more inspired than others. And in some cases, I think the accusation is valid, in a way. I'm just being transparent here but I think of the Word of God as food. And to related to taste, I think of most of Scripture as bread, but the words that are printed in red ink in many Bibles are like a hot fudge sundae. Men's words are like thin air unless they express God's Word. I've believed this way since I was a little kid. I know this will put some people off and I'm sorry for that, especially to those who are downright offended by it.
I don't think Jesus is getting what He asked for. That is the tragedy of tragedies. I know it will all work out for Him in the end, but I feel guilty for my part in denying Him His petition, and I just wonder if anyone else feels that way. I believe we have a part to play in the outcome.
He says in John 17:11:
Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.
How is this going to be achieved, one might wonder. I believe the answer is found here:
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all unto me. (John 12:32)
How close does He expect to draw all unto Him? I can't help but think the answer is:
As close as absolutely possible
So how close will we be to each other when we portray Him to each other as being lifted up and are then drawn as close to Him as is possible?
Does anyone think we have done our part to achieve this?
Am I being unreasonable or idealistic?
Or do we need revival and reformation?
Or is it enough that we are just found in the "saved" column of the books?
Should we care about how Jesus feels or should our own spiritual safety be the all-encompassing priority in our lives?
Is our allegiance to our denominations, congregations, or personally-held theologies keeping us from doing our part to fulfill the wishes of our Saviour?
For my part, I believe the answer is "Yes" to all three.
In fact, I doubt that anyone can rightly answer "No" to the question because I don't believe it's a matter of whether any of us are guilty or not, but in what manner, to what extent, and what our intentions are to rectify our guilt.
I guess this could be swept away as a leveling of false accusation for some and, if that be the case, I can accept that.
The creation of this thread and its original post is not, in any way, meant to be a call for debating doctrines, but if it deteriorates into that, I can accept it.
CC:
@amadeus @Backlit @Ronald David Bruno @Ronald Nolette @bbyrd009 @Desire Of All Nations @David in NJ @Truman @Heart2Soul @Josho @Ferris Bueller @quietthinker @WalterandDebbie @theefaith @marks @charity @TLHKAJ @liafailrock @FluffyYellowDuck @Sabertooth @Taken @Rita @MatthewG @JohnPaul @Cassandra @Eternally Grateful