May you both have peace!
The Bible is simply the oldest (or one of the oldest) cult handbooks. It teaches obedience through fear in the guise of love.
Actually, it is those who USE the Bible to teach such guise that do so. Although there are many who consider the Bible a “living” document, it really is not; rather, it is simply a compilation of writings, including, but not limited to scripture, that many use to “dominate” their fellow man… to the “injury” of both. They claim that God speaks to us by means of it, and using this lie, hold dominion over myriads – God USED to speak to us by means of the prophets; NOW, He speaks to us… by means of His Son.
… anyone can say anything they want regarding such "personal" revelations or communications with "god", "Christ", etc.
You are SO correct; indeed, many have and do!
there is no point arguing with you.
Please do not consider this an “argument” – I know there are “rules” to “proper” arguing and I am no expert at it. I can only speak what is true with regard to this particular matter.
The fact that you believe it is obviously enough for you. I certainly can in no way take your word for it.
Thankfully, my experience is not based simply on what I believe – it is based on what actually occurs. But I TOTALLY understand that you can’t take my word for it. You said that you have not read my posts, and so I understand that you might think that I think you should take my word for it; however, among several things that I have said and shared since “speaking” here is that you should NOT take my word for it. Absolutely NOT. I have posted, on several occasions and in several threads that that is NOT what my Lord desires. And so I say to YOU, dear ATF, do NOT take my word for it – I am nothing more than a good for nothing slave and what I have to say is of no value at all. I do not share what I do because I think you and others should listen to ME: I do it because I am HOPING that you… and others… might SOME day condescend to listen… to HIM. If you don’t know that he, my Lord, SPEAKS, however (because, certainly, I can’t see where you’ve been told/taught that he does), how will you know that he DOES… and HOW to listen/hear?
I wonder if you have ever considered why your "god" does not reveal himself in a similar way to others? Or why he chooses you at the exclusion of others?
Oh, yes! I even asked! When my Lord first came to me (which account I have shared here) I absolutely asked him why me. His response was that I “had faith the size of a mustard seed.” I cannot TELL you the depth of SADNESS I felt when I heard that: here I was [I thought] among some of THE most “faithful” people on the planet, and he was telling me that THEY didn’t have enough FAITH? How could that BE? I was almost devastated! Knowing myself… and the [very] small amount of faith I knew I had, I thought, “If this is where I am with faith, where in the world is everyone else??!!! Oh… my… God!" Truly. I was… taken aback, to say the least.
Having come here, and other like forums, however, I now understand. Faith is TRULY lacking… in the world in general and certainly in the WTBTS. And what little faith some had while in the Borg has almost assuredly been shattered to bits by the revelation that "they" are not who and what they say they are. But the result has not been a rejection of the Borg, or of Satan; it has been a rejection (entirely, for some) of the Most Holy One of Israel, JAH of Armies, and of His Son and Christ, JAHESHUA MISCHAJAH. "They" have TRULY accomplished their goal ("to mislead, if possible, even the holy ones") with regard to many - some, they have utterly shut the kingdom from and others they have just shipwrecked. I cannot tell you how sad that TRULY makes me. And so… I am simply trying to do what I am SUPPOSED to do, which the “scribes and the Pharisees,” along with the “false christs” have NOT said to you, which is to KEEP saying, so that all who are wishing and thirsting DO hear - “Come! Take ‘life’s water’ free!”
It would certainly be nice of him to reveal himself to all and end the confusion, don't you think?
Absolutely! And He does/has! To some here, who have “heard,” and to some who are not here, who have “heard.” There are those here who I have also personally invited, who have said the very thing that you are saying. Yet, when I say, “You CAN do it,” they realize that they are not ready, for some reason or another. So, what can I do? I can neither lead the horse to water nor make him drink – I can only tell him that there IS water.
If the answer to the above is a matter of how Christ divides and judges, I will have no choice but to lump you with others of your ilk, who believe that "god" will destroy a good chunk of the population for petty reasons.
Unfortunately, you would be in error for “lumping” me so. God does not WANT… ANY to die. That some WILL is not His doing; it is because they judge… themselves.
Logic begs an answer to the exclusionary and divisive way that "gods" followers insist on following him.
Like many others, unfortunately, you have fallen victim to false “followers.” The blind. Who lead the blind. That you listen(ed) to them is not the fault of the Most Holy One of Israel. He told us who to listen to: His Son. That we were misled is the fault of ourselves, our parents/guardians, religious leaders, etc., those who claim to speak for God but have absolutely NO authority. There is only ONE who speaks for God, His Word, my Lord, JAHESHUA MISCHAJAH. There is NO other. And contrary to what you and other MIGHT think… I do not speak for God. I only share what I receive from His Son.
If your answer isn't one of judgement, but that you don't know, I will again have to reject your sincere post as silly and illogical. If it is a matter of accepting your beliefs on "faith", I would call you out on your credulity.
Reject and/or call out as you will, for my response would not be one of judgment (even Christ does not judge – who am I to do so?) – the Judgment occurs NOT because God and Christ judge… but because EARTHLING MAN judges. And wickedly so. As regards my faith, I am prepared to respond to whatever part of that you wish to challenge.
Thats a lot of "ifs" and I dont' assume any to be your answer. But those are the general answers I have heard.
Then I must ask you to quit lumping me in with the “general.” We are not the same, truly. The “general” considers itself wise in the things of God. I am a foolish thing, however, without wisdom and knowledge. I don’t know the things I share – I receive them, and out of love… for the One who gave to me… and the ones HE loves… I share them. As I would want others to “do unto me.”
I praise Coco and anyone who is honestly willing to examine the source of their beliefs as to their veracity, whether that source is the bible or other mysterious voices or influences.
As he and you should! Examining the SOURCE of one’s beliefs is noble and credible. My “source,” however, is NOT the Bible, a claim which most professed “christians” do not make.
You join the "discredit the bible/holy book" club.
I think you’re overstating it, dear ATJ. Saying that the Bible is not what some THINK it is does not necessarily “discredit” it – it simply states that truth, that it is NOT the Word of God, that it is NOT the “guide” some think it is, and that it is NOT the means by which God speaks to us. The Bible itself states these very facts. How is agreeing with the Bible discrediting it?
Thats right, you don't need it.
But the Bible itself SAYS that. Again, how is stating what the Bible itself STATES discrediting it?
All you need is a "personal relationship" with "god".
Well, no, that’s not entirely accurate. You’re misunderstanding… and as a result, misstating, what I and a few others are saying.
And it's almost bulletproof, if logic didn't exist that is. Because you can claim that "god talks to you" and not have to produce a shred of evidence.
Again, that’s inaccurate. First, God doesn’t talk to us, per se. He speaks to His Son… who speaks to us. And there is evidence, ample evidence. The problem isn’t the lack of evidence; it’s the lack of the “tool” used to observe the evidence. You know: like trying to see bacteria without a microscope, or the surface of the moon without a telescope. Or the wind… without, say, tree leaves/boughs blowing in it.
You can be a "slave of Christ" while claiming that you don't need the gospels.
And this is accurate. Paul claimed to be a slave of Christ – what “gospel” did he have? What “gospel” did Matthew have? Mark? Luke? Thomas? Mary the Magdalene? Barnabas? None. They initially had the Prophets (which is how they recognized MischaJah), after which they had MischaJah himself. But he left in 30CE – what “gospel” did they have after that, say, between 30CE and when the first “gospel” was written? Yet, did they not all profess to be slaves of Christ? Your “logic” fails here, dear ATJ.
Hey, "Take my word for it!" Because thats all that we can do.
Again, you are inaccurate – that is NOT “all” that we can do. We CAN “test the inspired expression.” We CAN listen and hear for ourselves. We CAN seek, ask, knock… and exercise faith ourselves. We don’t have to take ANYONE’s word… for ANYTHING… other than that of the Truth – Christ, the Holy Spirit. That we don’t BOTHER… is who’s fault?
All you have to do is "let God in your heart and listen to him." It's that simple.
Again, you’re statement is inaccurate.
Unless you are evil or not approved. Then you can't be in the "cool thiests" club that doesn't even need a holy book. God just doesn't care enough about YOU to give you a personal message.
ATF, I am not your judge. However, I would be remiss if I did not say that I think there’s an underlying reason for your chagrin and I would ask you to deal with that, first – you know, be honest with yourself about why you feel as you do: for example, perhaps that God doesn’t care about you because He hasn’t given you a “personal message”. I would counter that He has spoken to you, through Christ, but because you were never taught that He DOES speak… in such a manner… and that it would be to YOU… you have difficulty believing that it can, does... and did... happen. That you might attribute it to something else... anything else... doesn't mean it didn't happen.
But I totally understand your position: if someone had told me 12 years ago that God speaks… in any form other than through the Bible… I am not sure I would have believed it, either. It had to happen to me. And it did. That you and some others cannot grasp that is… well, irrelevant. I am not looking for your approval, acceptance, validation, or corroboration. I don’t need it, truly. To belie what happened/happens to me would be for me to deny my very existence. I am here, however, and I am real (at least, as far as this realm is concerned), and what I see and hear is real. Very real. To say otherwise would be a lie. And to say otherwise because I am more concerned with whether folks such as you agree with/accept/like/approve of me… is cowardice.
Again, I bid you peace.
Your servant and a slave of Christ,
SA
