Posts by JosephMalik

36

New Testament Paradise Earth

by TheListener in

one of the things that bothers me is the very little or almost non-existent way the paradise earth is talked about in the new testament.

i've never heard a dub even think about that for one second.. the only occasions i can think of that the dubs use to show the new testament does in fact talk paradise earth is the scripture at matthew 5:5 (about mild tempered ones, or meek inheriting the earth), revelation 21:3,4 (about no more sickness, sorrow, suffering nor death) and jesus on the cross saying that the guy next to him would be with jesus in paradise.. none of these are overly convincing.

why didn't the apostles talk more about the paradise.

JosephMalik

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

This text is of special interest because it contains imbedded information not visible in the translation. Basically it is saying: to enter into my Fathers house (as someone in authority) you must die in faithfulness just as I will show you as I too will soon die as such, but at a future time I will come again and raise you from such a fateful death back here on earth where I will be at that time. The expression “I go to prepare a place for you” is actually “going under” in the text or into the ground in death. Time is required and time must pass along with a resurrection from such death before such events take place. But anyone in my Fathers house at that time would be someone of importance and they are symbolically known as the 144,000.

Joseph

36

New Testament Paradise Earth

by TheListener in

one of the things that bothers me is the very little or almost non-existent way the paradise earth is talked about in the new testament.

i've never heard a dub even think about that for one second.. the only occasions i can think of that the dubs use to show the new testament does in fact talk paradise earth is the scripture at matthew 5:5 (about mild tempered ones, or meek inheriting the earth), revelation 21:3,4 (about no more sickness, sorrow, suffering nor death) and jesus on the cross saying that the guy next to him would be with jesus in paradise.. none of these are overly convincing.

why didn't the apostles talk more about the paradise.

JosephMalik

One of the things that bothers me is the very little or almost non-existent way the paradise earth is talked about in the new testament. I've never heard a dub even think about that for one second.

Listener,

That is because it is called the Kingdom of the Heavens or Kingdom of God for the most part in the New Testament, and not paradise earth. The way it is used in most texts this word Heaven describes the Government that will function here and not in some far away place unknown to us. So it is this word not Paradise earth that carries the message of a preferred place to live at such a future time.

Joseph

20

Where did the insects go?

by Ring Wielder in

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i might be a bit green on this one....but no one has ever given me a satisfactory explanation of how all the millions of kinds of insects survived the flood....any thoughts?

JosephMalik

Perhaps and example is in order here:

The scriptures teach that Jesus was taken prisoner by the Romans during Passover and was imprisoned for 6 days before being executed on the day of Preparation for the 7 th day of Passover. Now did anyone notice this? No! Nearly everyone teaches something else and spins this chronology so as to conflict with the texts. So it is with the flood.

Joseph

20

Where did the insects go?

by Ring Wielder in

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i might be a bit green on this one....but no one has ever given me a satisfactory explanation of how all the millions of kinds of insects survived the flood....any thoughts?

JosephMalik

Comment: I for one have no problem with an ancient flood, but one described in Genesis is nonsense and a truly global flood is not backed up by scientific evidence

Response: I see nothing wrong with the account in Genesis. I do see many problems with the way it is interpreted and how words used in this ancient text are used and applied.

Comment: i have to say that this makes God look pretty weak and feeble. not to mention all the extra mental gymnastics one would have to perform to make this modern spin work wit what we understand about the nature of god, sin and salvation.

Response: There is nothing to this comment that makes sense to me. Failure to understand the text or Biblical illustrations does not reflect upon God or the author of such texts. The problem as I see it is somewhere else.

Joseph

20

Where did the insects go?

by Ring Wielder in

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i might be a bit green on this one....but no one has ever given me a satisfactory explanation of how all the millions of kinds of insects survived the flood....any thoughts?

JosephMalik

I know that it is commonly believed that the whole planet was flooded. But words like world also mean mankind/humanity and the flood destroyed all such humanity outside the ark but did not flood the whole planet. So the insects and many animals on different continents did not even know there was a flood.

Joseph

26

What do YOU perceive the gospel to be?

by LouBelle in

jw
friends

i read greendawns' thread on 'would accepting the gospel make the world a better place'.

and from there some debated on the belief / existance / non belief / non existance of god?

so my question to you is simply - what is the gospel to you?

JosephMalik

The Gospel is a hope of a promised Kingdom under the direction of Jesus Christ that will replace all existing world governments and in which all decent human beings that ever lived will be resurrected and given an opportunity for justification and eternal life here on earth. Joseph

15

Does the bible say there is only life on earth?

by ButtLight in

or just that god created life on earth?

i like to watch shows about ufo"s and aliens.

i personally think they exist simply cause so many people have seen then all over the world and i know people who have seen them.

JosephMalik

Personally, I believe in God, and think that God always existed...alone, then he created Jesus, and then they created the heavens and earth and all living creatures in heaven (angels) and everything that lives on this planet.

That God existed alone seems to be supported.
That God created Jesus who then created everything else is not. What is taught in scripture is this: God created the heavens and the earth alone.
God brought into existence non human beings like Himself and has them responsible to Him to perform other acts of creation and management, but how and when this was done is not stated. One such entity called the Word created the human race with all its intricacy and was responsible for it as its God. This Word eventually became Jesus as the only begotten human Son brought into existence by God Personally and not created by the Word. As for the animals or anything else on this planet, who actually created them at God’s direction is not stated. One can assume that since Satan had authority over the serpent that Satan had something to do with the Serpents coming into existence and had authority over such animals. The word “All” does not mean everything and only human life is credited to this Word who took charge of the human race at this beginning of man’s creation discussed by John in his introduction. Joseph

14

Was Jesus PERFECT in his human form?

by sinis in

i know most christians say that he was.

however, i find it very intriguing that paul says in: romans 3:23 - "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of god" and again in romans 6:23 - "for the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of god [is] eternal life through jesus christ our lord.

" so was jesus an imperfect individual on earth and only through his offering up his body/blood by being faithful to the end was his offering deemed pure?

JosephMalik

Perfect does not mean immortal or even sinless. It is a word that can be applied to Noah or Abraham as well as others (Gen 6:9, 17:1). Adam and Eve’s continued existence depended upon the tree of life not their perfection or sinlessness. Jesus was mortal, born of woman, grew older as time passed and would have died naturally unless someone or something intervened in His behalf. In His case that something was His transfiguration.

Joseph

11

Show me in the Bible where it says it's okay to wage war?

by hubert in

i was asked this by my daughter, when we had our "discussions" about watchtower lies "doctrine" a while back.. well, tonight, i found the scripture.

and it's in the nwt !!!.....

quote.

JosephMalik

Common sense should tell us that if we do not wage war or at least be prepared to wage war we will be killed or be overrun and enslaved. Why maintain a police force if war is wrong or unscriptural? Police are simply a civilian military force for maintaining order as are judges and magistrates.

Our hope is a Kingdom ruled by Christ in which righteousness will prevail. But until them we have:

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

Governments (good or bad) exists by God’s permission to maintain order upon this earth until this Kingdom replaces them. They are God’s ministers existing for this very purpose. So when a Government goes beyond this mandate another is empowered to punish them and restore such order once again. We call this War, but it is God’s way of providing a “revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”

Joseph

28

Whats your input to the explanation of 2 Cor. 12:2-4

by skyman in

2 corinthians 12:2-4 (king james version) .

2i knew a man in christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, i cannot tell; or whether out of the body, i cannot tell: god knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3and i knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, i cannot tell: god knoweth;) .

JosephMalik

Just the way the apostle Paul says that the ruling powers only use the sword for good.

Heathen,

Learn to read a bit more carefully before jumping to such conclusions. It was only in regard to wrongdoing and in regard to the ones resisting the ruling powers that Paul cautions the faithful. That not all ruling powers use the sword for good is a known fact. But it is also true that other ruling powers have the authority to step in and punish such abusive ruling powers and this is still the case in our day.
Joseph