i believe christ is god.
when i left the witnesses i believed i had to be agnostic.
through a scheduling conflict, i studied the new testament in college.
I can't imagine that a God worth worshipping would condemn atheists. Certainly, YHWH or El would. It is hard to reconcile that god with the God of Jesus.
Band, how can you claim to be a follower of Christ and deny Elohim? In your opinion who is the Father of Christ?
-Sab
while i am no fan of mother teresa after reading some of the revealed facts about her life and work - i thought this was just a little out of the realm of polite conversation (but was interesting):.
atheist group at dartmouth plans anti mother teresa event.. .
http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?id=4503.
She was probably totally insane and no one really knew until she had too much power and nothing could be done about it without losing religious PR. One's religion can be a means of hiding one's insanity. She really serves as an example of just how much power mainstream religion has. Her story, the real one, is simply chillingly dark.
-Sab
it has been a long time since i have posted here, so, here it goes.
i have been back and forth for the last two years on whether or not to stay in this religion or not.
most of me wanted to stay for the same as many others, fear.
i believe christ is god.
when i left the witnesses i believed i had to be agnostic.
through a scheduling conflict, i studied the new testament in college.
By calling themselves "believers" and the rest of us "atheists," they called me not a Christian. Christ is central to my life.
Who has called you an atheist? You are open about your faith in Christ and therefore that makes you a sister to other Christians. Anyone who would consider you an unbeliever is clearly confused.
What is sad to me is that I am not welcomed as a fellow believer.
I welcome you, Band, in fact I love to read anything you have to say about spirituality and religion in general, I hold your opinion in very high regard. I totally understand what you are saying about that relief felt when discovering that Christ and Science are not in contradiction. It's a breath of fresh air to know that I don't have to lean on blind faith, that the more I research the more my faith is strengthened. That's the opposite of what the Watchtower teaches you, they say that more secular education the more at risk one's faith becomes. The truth couldn't be more opposite.
-Sab
in a discussion with some other dear ones, the question was asked as to what such ones put their faith in.
in response to one comment that"one can't function without faith," another disagreed, stating ones can, that "many do so every day... the ones who have trust" (in things like the sun rising in the east versus the west).
that trust extended to "faith" based "on nature and the natural order of things.
I take into consideration all the factors my friend, I just don't give extra weight to numbers or codes.
Nor do I. I was speaking about the polarity between Good and Evil and how that is represented by numbers and symbolic language in Revelation 11, 13 and 20. Then you said I was focusing on numbers, but of course I was then because I was speaking about the numerology of Revelation and their reflection of Good and Evil.
I've seen what numerology can do, 144K anyone?
Sigh... I have to leave for a bit.
-Sab
in a discussion with some other dear ones, the question was asked as to what such ones put their faith in.
in response to one comment that"one can't function without faith," another disagreed, stating ones can, that "many do so every day... the ones who have trust" (in things like the sun rising in the east versus the west).
that trust extended to "faith" based "on nature and the natural order of things.
The two witnesses full of power prophesing but eventually being killed only to be resurrected again inplain sight of all to see, eathquakes killing 1000s of people, the 7th angel's trumpet, the ark being seen in heaven, etc.
You conviently leave out the numeric figure of seven thousand deaths in the earthquake. What you consider a minute detail I consider a required piece of the puzzle.
Never been a big fan of numerology ... Is there a reason you focused on numbers?
Why do you read the Bible and not acknowledge it's numerology? You must take into consideration of all known factors or you will not come to the correct result. I don't focus on the numbers, I acknowledge their importance in the symbology. Do you see the difference?
-Sab
in a discussion with some other dear ones, the question was asked as to what such ones put their faith in.
in response to one comment that"one can't function without faith," another disagreed, stating ones can, that "many do so every day... the ones who have trust" (in things like the sun rising in the east versus the west).
that trust extended to "faith" based "on nature and the natural order of things.
Rarely, yes, but sometimes they were/are... and some in the revelation are, dear P (the greatest of love and peace to you and your household... and to you and yours, too, dear Sab!). The problem with the revelation is the ususal "baby with the bathwater" thing - considering ALL numbers as symbolic as well as consider them ALL literal. Because we, humans, don't know which are/aren't... it really is folly on our part to keep trying to figure out and/or opine as to which applies to which - WE... will get it wrong!
I consider Revelation to be 100% figurative, including all instances of numbers. The 7 years depicted in Revelation 11 is highly figurative. It denotes a completeness, a full circuit or revolution. During this unknown span of time it's still shown through the numbers of Revelation 11 that the gentiles trampling and the two witnesses prophesying are given an EQUAL duration in which to do their thing. Since God is just, this would make perfect sense as he gives both opposing ideologies, Good and Evil, equal opportunity. Otherwise each side would have a legitimate grievance with God.
-Sab
in a discussion with some other dear ones, the question was asked as to what such ones put their faith in.
in response to one comment that"one can't function without faith," another disagreed, stating ones can, that "many do so every day... the ones who have trust" (in things like the sun rising in the east versus the west).
that trust extended to "faith" based "on nature and the natural order of things.
The trick is to NOT focus on the number in expense of the message.
I am not focusing on a number, I am not sure what you are getting at. Revelation 11 clearly shows a mathmatical pattern dealing with the partitioning of a 7 year whole. They slice the 7 years into two: 42 months and 1260 days. This is a perfect example of Biblical numerology. To ignore the clear numerology in the Bible would be to abandon it's purpose.
-Sab
in a discussion with some other dear ones, the question was asked as to what such ones put their faith in.
in response to one comment that"one can't function without faith," another disagreed, stating ones can, that "many do so every day... the ones who have trust" (in things like the sun rising in the east versus the west).
that trust extended to "faith" based "on nature and the natural order of things.
We must be able and willing to give testament to our beliefs, not because we can convince others but because in doing so, we are giving glory to God and Christ.
The only reason why we give testament is because they are useful for others. No you don't want to go around convincing people, but you do want your testimony to be convincing, or else it won't have much use for others.
-Sab
in a discussion with some other dear ones, the question was asked as to what such ones put their faith in.
in response to one comment that"one can't function without faith," another disagreed, stating ones can, that "many do so every day... the ones who have trust" (in things like the sun rising in the east versus the west).
that trust extended to "faith" based "on nature and the natural order of things.
PSac, Revelation is a number game (7 heads, 10 horns, 7 stars, 7 churches, 42 months, 1260 days etc). Actually it's a game of symbols and numbers have historically always been rich in symbology.
-Sab
