CHRISTIANITY.

  1Thessalonians 1:9 says that “They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might”.   What is Paul’s message here? The Bible records, see Acts 16 and 17, that Paul did not have a good experience when he visited Thessalonica.   Paul was beaten illegally and then put into prison.   They then forced him to leave the city by night because unbelieving Jews brought false charges against Paul.   Paul did not give up, he made several attempt to return but he was hindered by Satan. “But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters, for a short time (in presence, not in affection) we became all the more fervent in our great desire to see you in person. For we wanted to come to you (I, Paul, in fact tried again and again) but Satan thwarted us” (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18). In this first letter to the Thessalonian Church Paul was concerned about the progress of the church ...

In John 5:24 Jesus says: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” When it comes to being alive or dead, Jesus places people in two categories.   Jesus identifies these two groups of people in the above verse.   The difference between these two groups is that those who are spiritually alive have heard Jesus’ words and believed in the One who sent Him, whereas the latter do not and are spiritually dead.   To understand the verse, it must be understood that Jesus is talking about a person spiritually. Notice that “death” is put before “life” in this verse.   This is not a coincidence.   Since Adam and Eve, all humans have been born spiritually dead.   Physically man is alive at birth and continues to be “physically alive” until he dies.   At that point, according to the Bible, he no longer exists in any form. (Eccles...

  There are many Bible verses that are taken out of the context of the passage they are found in to support various Christian doctrines.   In order to understand passages, the entire passage needs to be read, and then it has to be related to the time period that the passage is referring to.   We then need to be sure that our interpretation can be verified and not denied by other passages in the Bible.   Matthew 25:46 is one of these passages.   It reads, “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”   Several questions immediately come to mind.   What time period is this talking about?   Who are “they”?   What is meant when is says that the righteous will “go away…to eternal life”?   The chapter Matthew 25 is describing the future judgment of the “nations” .   This judgment will take place immediately after the second coming of Jesus Christ.   During this time period there will ...

  The Bible characterizes Solomon as being richer and wiser than any other king and the story of how he came to be so wise is repeated in every generation. Solomon had a dream in which he said the Lord appeared to him and asked “What would you like me to give you?” After thanking God “for letting me succeed my father, David,” he said “give me wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil.” (I Kings 3:5,7,9)   King Solomon wrote, “Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.   Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.   For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore, let your words be few.   For a dream comes through much activity, and a fool’s voice is known by his many words.   (Ecclesiastes 5:1-3) People have this idea that they impress...

SPIRITUALISM AND THE BIBLE – LIFE AFTER DEATH.     “Spiritualism is the belief or doctrine that the spirits of the dead, surviving after the mortal life, can and do communicate with the living, especially through a person (a medium) particularly susceptible to their influence.” ( http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/spiritualism ). Satan uses many successful agencies in order to seduce man and spiritualism is one of these delusive teachings.   The belief that spirits of the dead can return and/or communicate with the living is a sacred channel through which Satan works to accomplish his purpose.   The fallen angels who do Satan’s bidding appear as messengers.   Satan has the power to bring before men what appears to be their departed friends.   His counterfeits are perfect in familiarity as far as looks, words, tone and demeanor.   Satan comforts many with the false assurance that their loved ones are enjoying bliss in heaven and h...

  The Bible does not contradict itself and the word of God does not lie.   The scriptures all have to support each other in what they mean. King Solomon wrote: “So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God’s hands, but no one knows whether love or hate awaits them.   All share a common destiny—the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. “As it is with the good, so with the sinful; as it is with those who take oaths, so with those who are afraid to take them.   This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: “The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead.   Anyone who is among the living has hope—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion! “For the living know that the...

The Old Man and the Dog:  Written by Catherine Moore.           "Watch out! You nearly broad sided that car!" My father yelled at me.    "Can't you do anything right?"   Those words hurt worse than being punched in the nose. I turned my head toward the old man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle with him.     "I saw the car, Dad. Please don't yell at me when I'm driving." My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt.                   Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts. Dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil. W...