Sabrina Clore Comments
%user:name Comments
Hi Hooleeahh - I think you have to find a response that ideally does not offend and is said in love. It will also depend on who you are talking to and what kind of relationship you have with them. A lot of times it takes baby steps - so you may start with comments that are on common ground - such as appreciating Christ's life, death and resurrection if they are Christian. If you are asked directly about keeping Christmas, then I would explain why it is not biblical--again, in a loving, kind way.
Interesting point about "not under bondage" and "not bound." It is helpful to study the meanings and translations of the words in that passage and to consider how their meaning affects our view of divorce and remarriage. I have found that it helps to dig into this with others who are or have studied this subject in depth as well as have had experience with the subject either first hand or via a family member. You say sexual immorality can be "anything"--what are you getting at? Are you saying people flippantly divorce for "anything"? A lot of times there is something wrong with the heart of the marriage and the problem manifests itself in those two particular sins. Sometimes the pain and sins can be overcome and other times a point of no return has been reached. Before any divorce, there should be much much counseling with the wise and godly on rebuilding the marriage. Only after that process should divorce ever be a consideration.
Thankfully God is the final judge on salvation and we aren’t. Isn’t it each and every human beings own responsibility and choice on if they will follow God? (Philippians 2:12).
People need time to process and come to a decision on if they will act on new knowledge or not. It may take years for a thought to connect and sink in, and then for a person to act. Even when the Word of God is explained perfectly, there is also the element of whether or not the Father is calling them (John 6:44).
Also, people can say no in a lot more ways than just using the word “no.” No one is going to get a through a loop hole by playing word games with God. I think willfully rejecting is pretty close to the same as rejection by neglect, because even neglecting to follow through is a choice. It may depend how God was working in their lives and how they responded to those circumstances, and again, the outcome of their behavior is going to be between them and God.
Abbot - I would look into the "tohu and bohu" discussions on creation. Basically the original Hebrew can just as easily indicate that the earth later became “without form, and void.” The Hebrew word is hayah, typically translated “was” here, means “to become, occur, come to pass, be” ( Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, 1985, “To Be”). It can imply that something spoiled the original creation of the earth described in Genesis 1:1 and caused God to restore order out of chaos—which would have happened during six days of restoration followed by a Sabbath rest day. The universe could have been around for a lot longer before that point.
These two books include part of this discussion and you can download them for free on the UCG website:
Creation or Evolution: Does It Really Matter What You Believe?
Is the Bible True?
Hi craigm, I think it is important to reflect on God's character when considering a biblical solution to combating ISIS. God is kind and merciful, but He also is not mocked. Throughout the Bible there are examples of cruel nations, brutal people who were punished by other nations. Even Israel was punished because of its corruption (Jeremiah 6). Assyria was used as a rod of iron, so perhaps a country in our modern era will be used similarly (Isaiah 10). God has a threshold for these things. Some propose the "Amalekite" position and kill all the extremists. For those who were brutal and oppressive, there should be justice and they should be stopped. There are prophecies of the King of the North fighting the King of the South (thought to be in the Middle East region), but for these prophecies we may need to wait and see if ISIS is part of or a precursor to those things. What other biblical solutions would you propose?
The “rest of the dead” who live after 1000 years are believed to be all of those who never had the opportunity to know God or learn His way while they lived during our time now or before. People who may not have ever heard the name, Jesus Christ, will be resurrected to physical life. God wants everyone to be in His family, but gives people a choice. This aspect and period in God’s plan of salvation for humanity shows God’s fairness and mercy. (http://www.ucg.org/the-good-news/jesus-christ-and-the-great-white-throne-judgment). At the end of the time where the “rest of the dead” learn about God, they are judged. Remember, the saints resurrected at the return of Christ were already judged by this point. Then, the New Jerusalem comes from heaven down to the earth (Revelation 21). Everyone who reflects God’s character will be spirit beings and live with Him in eternity.
Alan, the Bible mentions that the saint’s will rule on the earth. “And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the EARTH” (Revelation 5:10). “Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the EARTH” (Matthew 5:5). This is speaking specifically to those who are called now and choose to follow Him. When Christ returns, they will be changed to spirit beings. “Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6).
During the Millennium, people who survived the Tribulation will live on earth under the Kingdom of God where they learn and live God’s way or be punished (Zechariah 14:16-19). It does not say that Satan is released for the purpose of having another chance to repent, rather it talks of Satan gathering people from the four corners of the world and a last rebellion against God (Revelation 20:1-3, Revelation 20:7-10). This may be allowed since those living on the earth during the Kingdom of God would not have had to overcome the temptation of Satan (since he was put away).
If you look back at history, the Church of God traces its roots back through those who kept the Sabbath and Commandments of God. The Sabbath is a sign of God's people (Exodus 31:17) was kept by Christ and the apostles (Acts 17:1-3), and will be kept at Christ's return (Isaiah 66:22-23). The Catholic church has always rejected the Fourth Commandment, changing the day of worship to Sunday (no where said to keep as a holy day in the Bible or by God). So it is not correct in saying the Church of God is hypocritical in that point. Plus, are we to put our hope in a man or in God's Word? The Bible is God's Word and can be trusted because it is from Him/God-breathed. Just because there is "more" of something does not mean that those additional books have proven true or are pure--that is why they were left out. If you ask people, a lot will not have read their entire Bibles through even once in their life! When you do, you can quickly see when certain ideas or texts conflict with the majority of the Bible, its themes and the character of God.
Hi Robin,
I have noticed when I am more diligent in certain habits that my spiritual life flourishes as well. I (as it seems you, too) want to intentionally do what I can to build a stronger relationship with God and grow closer to Him. I personally do not think that head coverings are required in a formal worship service, rather it is the condition of our hearts and the actions that follow (showing what is inside) that honors God.
I think the last sentence of the above article gives good food for thought - are there any things we do that detract others from seeing our inner character - sometimes that means we do need to be considerate of the modern styles and customs of the country and area we live.
Hi AlanB, I am so sorry to hear of your pain. It is important to talk to someone when you are feeling low and I suggest reaching out to a counselor or even one of our pastors. There are so many wonderful things in life you can appreciate each day--even when it may be hard to find them, they are there. Pray for God to comfort and show you these things. I think when we die, it will seem like an instant has passed when we wake up and the feeling of being with God will be incomparable to anything we have ever experienced.
I agree with a lot of your points, for example, your assessment that “The ⅓ is the children of Israel God says he’s going to bring through the fire of trial Zechariah 13 and clean them up and return them to himself” refers to Israel/God’s people. I agree Christ is the God of the OT.
As to why Christ would talk to fallen angel and what He said, I don’t think that is clear. Christ did give verses from Scripture as a response to Satan when He was being tempted, He exchanged more words, than “I rebuke you.” And remember the exchange about Job in heaven too? Doesn’t it say Michael contended with the devil and disputed about the body of Moses? That takes a few more words than “I rebuke you” (Jude 1:9). I think the point there is that he didn’t bring about a railing accusation as a result of or during that discussion and we can learn from that attitude.
Hi GreenBranch,
I apologize for reading your response too quickly as I wanted to address the point that Christ did not preach to dead human spirits (as so often is misunderstood by Christians who believe we immediately go to heaven/hell when we die. For more info on that, check out http://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/heaven-and-hell-what-does-the-bible-really-teach ). UCG’s standpoint is that Christ preached to the fallen angels/demons/disobedient spirits during Noah’s time.
Perhaps it can be understood that Christ preached to the humans during the time right before the flood while they were on earth (and alive) and who then died as a result of the flood. I would have to research the idea further.
Angels are often referred to as stars (as in a scripture you referenced - Revelation 1:20), also Isaiah 14:12 (Satan/fallen angel), Job 38:7 (When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy = angels praising God for His creation). Stars do not exclusively represent angels in the Bible (e.g. Joseph’s dream and his brother’s being stars, nations etc.)
Hi Mary, as stated in the above article probably the best resource to read is the Sunset to Sunset: God's Sabbath Rest booklet (http://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/sunset-to-sunset-gods-sabbath-rest)
Here is one section, "Time has not been lost in this regard, as some assert. “The oracles of God”—His divine words and instructions—were entrusted to the Jewish people (Romans 3:1-2), and they have preserved the knowledge of the seventh-day Sabbath faithfully since well before Christ’s time to this day. Jesus repeatedly confirmed that the day the Jews observed as the Sabbath in His day was indeed the Sabbath. And since then the Jewish people, even scattered in many nations and in different sects, have all preserved the same day" (http://www.ucg.org/booklet/sunset-sunset-gods-sabbath-rest/sabbath-beginning/which-day-sabbath)
Another excellent resource is a book by Samuele Bacchiocchi called "From Sabbath to Sunday" which goes into some more info on calendars/day changes and origins.