John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. John 14:30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.[/quote]
There; you have it straight from Jesus Himself. That's why I say, "Try reading & BELIEVING the Bible." That preterist trash is a pack of lies.
There; you have it straight from Jesus Himself. That's why I say, "Try reading & BELIEVING the Bible." That preterist trash is a pack of lies.[/QUOTE]
The problem that makes me shudder is that Jesus said only the born again can see the kingdom here now. And those who ant a kingdom of sight instead of a kingdom of faith concern me.
That is your interpretation of Revelation. There are others.
And it isn't worth arguing about. Whether Revelation is past or future doesn't move the needle for my daily work, nor yours.
The problem that makes me shudder is that Jesus said only the born again can see the kingdom here now. And those who ant a kingdom of sight instead of a kingdom of faith concern me.[/QUOTE]
So, you disregard Jesus' words I posted above?
So in your church, do women have their heads covered I assume? Do they speak or sing?
These are explicitly addressed by Paul.
Do you pay your pastor? If so, where is that authorized?
Do you meet in a building?
Where is that authorized?
Have you literally moved mountains because of your faith, as Jesus plainly told you that you could do, if you only had enough faith?
Have you cut off your hand because you stole a piece of candy?
Have you gouged out your eye because you peeked at a Playboy magazine or Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue?
When we literalize everything in the Holy Scripture, it's like painting an old fence:
There's nowhere to quit.
Speak no; sing yes (see Exodus 15:20-21, women were allowed to sing in the "church in the wilderness")
Yes, these are explicitly addressed by Paul. And how else can they be taken other than literally? Do you think he was writing figuratively? Most people that do not follow these commands use a different line of argument - like trying to say they only apply to Corinth or such like - because the idea that he is speaking figuratively is absurd.
Colossians 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
I'm assuming his house is a building.
No, never had a need. That doesn't mean it couldn't literally be done. Have you not seen some of the incredible prayers in the Bible that got answered?
God isn't our genie, and prayer isn't a game.
I never stole anything to my recollection.
No. There are other lesser means that can be taken before one goes to that ultimate extreme. But the verse is still literal. It is better (literally) to cut off your hand and enter life than to be cast into hell with both hands. And if your only option to avoid hell is to literally cut off your hand, that is in fact sound (literal) advice.
You don't literalize everything. When you read a book composed of doctrinal epistles, law books, history books, psalms, prophecies, etc. you shouldn't take anything figuratively unless there is reason to from the context. The Bible is not an Eastern Mystical book.
Read the Bible normally, just like you would any other law book, or personal correspondence, etc. with the difference being that you should recognize that it is the word of God, and without error.
Scripture "plainly says" what any cult mind wants it to say. It is a big Rorschach Test for every "end times" crackpot out there. But careful study rooted in church history and the creeds help insure we have a proper understanding. Amillennialism is in the Nicene Creed and the other ideas are not.