I also realized that my Ms. unmentionable episode was off topic. The book of Revelation has some of the most encouraging passages in the whole Bible. Chapter 21, for example...
Yes, although you probably won't agree with me? That is okay. If we are wrong about prophecy, I don't believe that we are condemned. So whether it is you or I that is wrong, we are saved through the blood of Jesus Christ, if we accept Him as our Savior.
I see a lot of the church in Revelation 21 and 22. He talks about the bride (the church) and making all things new. This part, I am sure we agree on. But, I see it as the establishment of the church. And the new heaven and new earth being set up in the first century. I find that very encouraging. But many do not share this view or anything close to it. I have been called a heretic for thinking this way. I do not claim that Jesus will not come back, but even if He doesn't, we will all be saved through Him or judged by Him. Revelation seems to scream fulfillment of prophecy, destruction of the "old system", and the bringing in of the new, which is the Church. Not that He has rejected Israel (individuals, I mean
*), but has given them the same choice as the rest of the world, Jesus Christ.
* Ephesians 2:11-22
[SUP]11 [/SUP]Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— [SUP]12 [/SUP]remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. [SUP]13 [/SUP]But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. [SUP]14 [/SUP]For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, [SUP]15 [/SUP]by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, [SUP]16 [/SUP]and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. [SUP]17 [/SUP]And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; [SUP]18 [/SUP]for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. [SUP]19 [/SUP]So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, [SUP]20 [/SUP]having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, [SUP]21 [/SUP]in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, [SUP]22 [/SUP]in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
I do not write this to confront or cause distress. I enjoy reading and listening to the bible? I have great joy in having peaceful discussions about the bible. Though, it seems, many tend to get out of hand. I understand this. We are passionate about Jesus and don't like it when someone says something that seems to disregard scripture.
I often think of the verse,
"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise." (1 Corinthians 3:18) This verse really gets to me. I think that I must not be so sure of what I know that I cannot learn the Truth. This is hard because we don't want to let go of something that we have believed so long.
Example:
I have believed my whole life that Jesus was the Son of God and not God himself (Not that He is not God, being the Son of God). I am aware of the scriptures that say there is only One God. But I also know that there are scriptures that suggests Plurality. I do not want to get off topic. Nor am I trying to persuade you one way or the other, as I haven't settled on either one of these views myself. It is just hard to let go of something that you have always "known". And, quite honestly, are not sure that you should let go. Again, I know you will want to make a comment on this, but I don't want to totally go off on a tangent (from the topic on this thread).
