Myths about & Realities of Heaven

                          Myths about & Realities of Heaven

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The Bible mentions three heavens. One is the atmosphere around the earth or our sky. Another is outer space where the planets and stars are. The third is the abode of God. It may be some place in space or in another dimension--we don't know.
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In this article I will discuss some myths or popular misconceptions about the new heaven on the new earth. Then the realities are things we're accustomed to on earth that will be missing in heaven greatly to our benefit. God has promised to make all things new. Praise God! 

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The Myths.

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Myth that heaven's inhabitants just sit on a cloud playing a harp. That's the Hollywood fantasy. It conveys the notion that there's nothing to do eternally but sit on a cloud playing a harp. But the Bible says God is always active doing great things and we will be also in service to Him and enjoying it always (Rev.22:3).  Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life and that they have it more abundantly (John 10:10). Don't allow Hollywood demons to deceive you.

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Myth that heaven is an unchallenging, dull, boring place. That's like mistaking heaven for a kind of hell. As God is the Source of all goodness and love, heaven is the most beautiful, exciting, sociable fulfilling place our Lord prepared for us (John 14:1-4). It's paradise restored even more exquisite than original Eden. We will see angels, meet loved ones again, and rejoice with persons God used us to minister to and bring to Christ. Though Paul was taken to the third heaven, God wouldn't let him tell of its wonders beyond human imagination. They will be part of our joyous service to our loving Lord.
The alternative is darkness and aloneness, except perhaps in hearing the despairing moans, cries, and torments of all who rejected God, His goodness and love.
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Myth that heaven is only a place of rest and contemplation. Yes, there is a heavenly rest, but it's not referring to idleness but rest from all the persecutions, tribulations, and sufferings the evil Satanic world system and its followers have inflicted upon God's people trying to live for Him (2 Thessalonians 1:4-9). Rather, it will be God's new world order.

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Myth that heaven's only idealistic escapism. We naturally want to escape injustices, frustrations, failures and troubles of this life?  Strong believers in heaven work for a better world here and receive great reward there (Hebrews 11; Matthew 5:11-12).  See my four articles on Christian Heroes. But willful rejecters of God  here, to their horror find the torments of hell with  their father, the devil, inescapable (John 8:44-45). God loves us enough to tell us the truth.

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Myth that heaven has dull music. Mark Twain, the American humorist, said heaven's music would be the same dull hymn repeatedly. I don't believe he was in any position to know and I suspect he may now wish he could be within the sound of heaven's music. Heaven's music like everything else will be designed to give God's people's greater fulfillment than they ever could imagine. It won't be sensual music to excite and entice us to do evil, but  praise and rejoicing music expressing love and gratitude for all the goodness of our Lord. Heaven's alternative will be the moans, cries, and agonies of unholy rejection, lost opportunities and painful experiences amidst God's wrath (John 3:36: Matt. 8:12). Atheist philosopher, Bertrand Russel, said life ends in unyielding despair. Even worse, the despair is unending! But in Jesus, heaven's alternative is a loving God with His redeemed people.
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                                         When we've been there ten thousand years,
                                               Bright shining as the sun,
                                        We've no less days to sing God's praise,
                                              Than when we'd first begun.

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Myth that Peter guards the pearly gates. How many jokes have we heard about meeting St. Peter at the pearly gates? This is a fantasy based upon Matthew 16:18-19. Peter himself, explains that Christ is the Church's foundation (Acts 4:11-12; 1 Pet. 2:4-10; 3:18; 1 Cor. 3:11) and head (1 Pet. 2:25; Eph. 5:23).  Every church has authority to discipline its erring members (Matthew 18:15-18).

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Myth that believers become angels with halos and wings. In no place does Scripture say that. Even the angels that appear to men are not described with wings. But in new bodies like Jesus, we may be able to go through doors and quickly appear in other places. God is good. 

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Myth that time shall be no more. I love that old hymn that says "When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more" but it just isn't true. Revelation 10:5-6 refers to the tribulation plagues on earth before Christ's return. The angel with raised arm is taking an oath to delay the plagues (not time)  no longer. Now where there's life, there's change, movement, a past, present and future and that's what we mean by time. Time doesn't cease in heaven but goes on forever in blessed experiences for God's true people.
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The Realities.

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No Temple. No temple is needed since God is everywhere (Revelation 21:22).. No further need for building funds, furniture, decorative objects, lights, heating. We will worship God in spirit and truth. God will be the ever present light of the world so there will be no more night or further need for the sun and moon and no more danger and fear in darkness. In God is no darkness at all.

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No Sea. Almost three quarters of our planet is covered with ocean. Ancients feared sea monsters, storms, shipwrecks, exile, pirates, separations from loved ones that may never return home. No such fears and deprivations will exist on the new earth. And earth's topography will be radically altered. Our new world will be able to contain billions of inhabitants. But we will have a beautiful clear river of the water of life flowing from the thrown of God with the tree of life along its banks bearing twelve fruits every month (Revelation 22:1-2). 

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No Death. Sin brought death and the curse on all nature (Genesis 3:17; Romans 5:12; 8:20-22). The earth will be cleansed from sin by fire and the elements melt so that there will be no more curse (2 Peter 2:10-13). The passage mentions the heavenS so apparently the whole universe will be transformed. Without sin there will be no need for soldiers, wars, police, jails, courts, judges, lawyers, security guards--it will be a very different world more wonderful than we can imagine.. 

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No Pain. The benefits of doctors, hospitals, dentists, medicines won't be needed in heaven. We'll have no diseases, deformities, backaches, colds, forgetfulness, tiredness, pains of any kind because we will have perfect bodies (1 Cor. 15:35-51). But they will be similar to our bodies now so that we will recognize each other. Moses and Elijah were recognized on the mount of transfiguration. Physical differences as size, shape, skin color, appearances and all such things will never be a problem with God's loving, rejoicing people. WOW! What a world.

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No Tears. In this life we shed many tears. Accidents, deaths of family and friends, lost loves, rejections, disappointments, failures, mistakes, sins, deprivations, griefs, depressions and on and on. God will wipe away our tears and make all things new (Revelation 21:4). Whoopee!
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No Hunger or Thirst. The tribulation believers are promised what applies to all God's redeemed that we will never hunger or thirst again (Rev. 7:16). What a promise considering the starving millions with bloated bellies in Africa, India and indeed all around the world at times. Apparently, we won't have to eat with our new bodies but can if or when we want to--there will be no lack of delicious food. Praise God!

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No Shut Gates. Absolutely amazing what the Almighty Creator is preparing for His redeemed people. A great city on earth 1400 miles square (Rev.21). Such a building would cover three fourths of the United States east to west and be way up above the clouds. It has rooms a plenty for all those who trusted in Him from Adam until the city descends to earth. There will be some from every tribe, tongue, people and nation (Rev. 5:9). The new heaven and earth will doubtless contain billions of inhabitants. What a joyous celebration?
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Here's a Bible fact we must face honestly. Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10). Many other passages say similar things (Rev. 21:27; 22:15). That's God's Word, not mine. Again, God loves us enough to tell us the truth. 

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We must examine ourselves to see if we are truly Christians believing and obeying God's Word. We can have a head knowledge like the demons and go to hell. Which do we really love, our self and our sin, or the Lord Jesus who died to remove our sins and enable us to live a holy pure life for Him?  

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Many naively assume since we can't be perfect God will accept us if we even try. That's not what God's Word says. Sin separates us from a perfect God and perfect heaven. This is life's most crucial issue and delay can prove fatal. Won't you say, Lord forgive me and transform me to Your ways. I now trust in Jesus as paying the penalty for my sins and with Your help and guidance live for You.
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If you made this commitment, then 1 Corinthians 6:11 describes your new state in Christ. You are now washed, set apart for God, justified in the name of Jesus and by the Spirit of God. Amen. You may link my blog to your and tell others of God's love and salvation.

Could We Be Mistaken about Hell?

                                        Could We Be Mistaken about Hell?

If God is love and mercy how can He cast people into hell? An unending hell at that? How can He  punish serial killers equally with innocent persons in a lake of fire? I couldn't be happy in heaven knowing my loved ones were burning in God's torture chamber! Didn't Jesus teach forgiveness? Few preachers even mention hell today. Maybe they realized it's all wrong and got ashamed of it.
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I don't want you to think I'm an arrogant, closed minded, know it all emotional coward unwilling to listen to reason. If you somehow think there's a case for hell, I'm willing to hear it. Put it on me!

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I thought you'd never ask. If we're honest thinking persons, God can open our minds and hearts to see things we've never imagined before. I pray this will be the case now. Many arguments from both reason and the Bible show the reality of  hell. I'll list them by numbers. Thank you for your patience, open mindedness, moral courage and intellectual integrity.

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1. Earth's Injustices Require Hell. A world in tears screams for justice. Dictators murder countrymen they swore to serve. Men rape helpless children. Ruthless swindlers bankrupt couples of life savings. Human justice systems never achieve full justice. Any indignity from trashing streets to destroying nations occurs. If  justice is ever to be served, it requires hell to bring it about.
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2. God's Justice Requires Hell. Only a perfectly just God can insure justice is served. The Bible is clear, God knows all circumstances and judges everyone according to truth and impartially. Fact is, if there's no personal ethical God who cares about us and we're just perishing animals, justice ceases to mean anything.  Life then frees us to do whatever satisfies our desires. Like with other animals, life simply is eat or be eaten. God's principles of justice are truth, deeds, impartiality, conscience, and the gospel are in Romans 3.
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3. Jesus Preached Hell. Jesus preached hell more than others, more than heaven. Jesus lived in a multicultural world as we do today. He said hell was more serious than losing an eye, hand, or foot. Could the Lord Jesus be wrong about preaching Hell? Aren't believers to follow His example? Should we be ashamed of His preaching it? Or, rather ashamed of our not obediently preaching the whole counsel of God  (Acts 20:27)? I rest my case? See Jesus' mention of Hell (Matthew 5:29-30; 10:28; 11:23; 13:40-41; 13:49-50; 22:13; 23:15, 33; 25:41; Mark 9:43-48).
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 4. Life's Meaning Necessitates Hell. If there's no life after death, and we're just perishing animals, what real meaning is there to life? But if we must face a holy God and give account of our life, then every thought, word, and deed has serious consequences. We better be careful how we live. We know the holy fear of God. Now this is exactly what the Bible teaches. See Galatians 6:7-8; Romans 2:5-6; Psalm 9:17.
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5. God's Love Demands Hell. Sentimentalist's idea of do good but don't judge or condemn evil is a huge mistake. Not to judge and punish evil is to allow evil to overcome and destroy good. How can we truly love good and not correct or disarm the evil that destroys it? Civilized peoples put criminals away to protect citizens. Likewise, is God less civilized to confine evil doers to stew in their own juice?  Further, all God's commandments, laws, warnings, and judgments are expressions of His love. What loving parent would not warn their child not to touch a hot stove, an electoral outlet, or not look both ways before crossing a street? If there is no penalty for evil, then good and evil cease to have meaning. Warnings of hell show God's love is real and given to save us from disaster and from hell. Hebrews 12:5-9; Psalm 119. God loves us enough to tell us the truth.
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6. God's Love Rejected Requires Eternal Hell. God will forgive, reform, restore, and save all who trust in Him and His way (John 3:16, 36; 10:10). But prideful, selfish, rebels who want to do their own thing contrary to God cannot stand before a perfectly holy or ethical God. "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an eternal unforgivable sin (Mark 3:29). Persons fixed in rejection of God continue their unacceptable ways in Hell (Rev. 22:11). Hell is said to be just as everlasting as God and heaven (Matt. 18:8; 25:46; 2 Thess. 1:8-9). The wicked are not annihilated--words such as perish, destroy, waste, cease to exist, burn up mean ruined of their intended purpose being separated from God. It's like a totaled car that's ruined and junked but not annihilated. Besides, hell's degrees of punishment exclude the idea of human extinction. Jesus loves us, this we know for the Bible tells us so. Hell is our choice, not God's will (2 Peter 3:9) .
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7. Human Freedom Requires Hell.  God gives us the choice  to accept Christ and heaven or to reject Christ with the alternative being Hell. A loving God can invite but not force Himself on us. Love can't be forced for force would destroy our dignity, and would dishonor God. But God invites us to seek the Lord while He may be found (Isaiah 55:6-7; Matt. 7:7-8; John 3:16-17). And, "if anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine" (John 7:17). We are without excuse as God can't force His love on us but whoever will can seek Him and find Him (Matt. 7:7-8).
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8. Heaven's Existence Requires Hell. Indeed, there can be no Heaven without Hell. The Bible doesn't say God does away with the wicked (annihilation), but rather allows them their own way whose consequence is Hell. They have hated God and His ways insisting on their way as best for them, so Hell is the natural and logical alternative (Matt. 25:46). Not wanting to sing God's praises in life, they would not want to in Heaven either. They really reap what they sow (Galatians 5:19-21; 6:7). And God is fair in giving those who trust His promises, seek to live for Him and love His appearing will be rewarded with a home free of every kind of evil (Rev. 21:27; 22:15).
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9. Heaven's Happiness Requires Hell. If the redeemed in Heaven cried over the the wicked in Hell, that would make a Hell out of Heaven. But the Bible is quite clear there will be no tears, death, sorrow, or agony in Heaven, all that is in Hell (Rev. 21:4). When God's true people see their Lord, they will be conformed to His image understand things exactly as He does (1 John 3:2-3). But the unredeemed would be miserable in Heaven and turn it into Hell. They didn't love God on earth and wouldn't in Heaven because they love darkness rather than light (John 3:19-21). In a real sense, God is merciful to let incorrigible rebellious sinners have their own way. Their abode is self-chosen darkness, tears and torment forever in accord with each person's sins.
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10. Hell Said to be Degrees of Punishment. All sinners will not be punished equally. Each sinner's  punishment will be according to each one's works. Justice means that one reaps exactly what he or she sows (Gal. 6:7-8). A murderer deserves greater punishment than a liar though both sin. Just as Heaven has degrees of reward, Hell has degrees of punishment. See Matt. 10:15; 11:22, 24; 23:14; Mark 6:11; Luke. 12:47-48; Heb. 10:29. Some understand the lake of fire metaphorically  as God's wrath against evil (John 3:36; Romans 1:18). It will be degrees of shame, contempt, regret, torment, despair forever. But it doesn't have to be that way.
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11. Human Conscience Implies Hell. All persons have a natural sense of fair play, justice, or right and wrong. We expect reward for good behavior and punishment for bad.  We may be silent or deny injustices shown others, but are quick to protest when they are shown us. Conscience makes no sense unless there exists a moral standard and an all-knowing moral Lawgiver and Judge, namely God. Conscience is an inner light leading to God if we follow it. Rom. 2:14-15; John 3:19-21.
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12. God's Sovereignty Demands Hell. The Almighty who Created and Sustains the universe can have no opposition except He allows and uses it to suit His purposes. He upholds all existence--every minute particle of energy is at His command (Col. 3:16-17).  He has revealed most clearly in His Word that Satan and sinners will be caste into hell. Death and disease will be done away with (1 Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 20-21). God is very patient, but His wrath can wait only so long. A day of reckoning must come (Rev. 20:11-15). Please trust in the One who loves us more than any other.
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13. God's Glory Is Confirmed by Hell. God is jealous of idols usurping His rightful place.We are to prefer nothing in our lives before the Almighty. It's not His will that we perish, but we do by living unholy lives.  We're proven wrong choosing other things above the greatest thing. Hell vindicates God's justice, truth, rightness, love, grace, mercy in His victory over evil. And apart from the Fall and God's eternal plan, we could not understand or appreciate His glory and worthiness.  Some say the wish for Heaven is illusion for it seems too good to be true. But they wish Hell's the illusion since it's so bad they don't want it to be true. Is it worth taking a chance? Delay can prove fatal.
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14. Jesus Alone Saves from Hell. Founders of world religions may make wise sayings and unproven claims--for example about angels and life after death. But only Jesus claimed to be sinless, the Savior of sinners, the God-man from Heaven, the way to Heaven, and the One who will judge us for sin. Only Jesus gave visible evidences to substantiate His claims being fulfilled prophecies, miracles, transfiguration, death for sinners, resurrection, and ascension. No other religion has anything comparable. I'm not against people of other religions--I just pray they will be saved.
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15. The Church's Mandate Requires Hell. Jesus said He had all authority and for His followers to make disciples of all nations, to be fishers of men, to represent him as ambassadors, and that He is the  truth, life, and only way to Heaven (John 14:6; Mark 8:38; Luke 19:10). To reject Him or refuse the light that leads to Him results in eternal Hell. We who know Christ should be ashamed of our cowardice and disobedience in not telling others in a humble, respectful, loving way as our Lord commanded (1 Pet. 3:15-6). Sharing Christ is the best thing a Christian can do for others. My readers may download my blog articles and share them with others.
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16. The Bible's Authority Requires Hell. Hell is usually the first Bible teaching doubters deny. It's a mistake to think we can deny or ignore Hell and maintain other Christian teachings. Like a line of dominoes when the first is toppled the others follow. Not punishing sin makes God an imperfect untrustworthy Being. No Hell makes a Savior of sinners unnecessary. No Hell floods Heaven with unredeemed sinners and corruption. The local church becomes only a social club of do-gooders. The gospel, evangelism and missions are a waste of time and money. Each person is enthroned as their own authority and it doesn't matter what you believe or how you live. The world is without God and without hope. Could that be true with you?
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17. Christ's Cross Demands Hell. There was no other way (John 3:16; 14:6; Acts 4:12), no greater love. Jesus lay down His  human life to save us.  His death paid for our sin, satisfied God's justice, opened the door to Heaven. He was beaten, cursed, ridiculed, and crucified naked before the world giving His all so we could live eternally, could be made acceptable to a perfect God and fit for a perfect Heaven. To reject Jesus is to choose eternal  Hell. We must not pass up life's greatest opportunity!
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18. Tearful Compassion Proclaims Hell. Christians have been deceived and diverted by multi-- cultural opponents. We must prayerfully weep over the erring ones, care for the dying, lift up the fallen, snatch them in pity from sin and Hell. Pray God will send revival and renewal to His erring church. We may be in the last hour of the last days, but that only means we must work harder. We've a factual message to tell to the nations that can turn their hearts to the right. Lets do it!
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19. Speculative Philosophies and Religions Deny Hell. Religions philosophies make dogmatic claims beyond limited human knowledge. Atheism claims to know  there's no personal ethical Spirit called God. Agnosticism does the same thing to say we can't know or don't know about God. Pantheism denies sensory experience and rationality to claim we'll be absorbed in a god of universal energy. Finite godism says God is too limited in either power, knowledge or love for us to be sure of any outcome. Panentheism claims an evolving bipolar god that isn't trustworthy or worth serious consideration. Recent so-called Christian cults twist Christian terms and teachings to teach their own ideas. Non-biblical religions are only human guesses. Feel-good preachers don't declare sinners need a Savior. All such claimants in effect deny Hell by their unwarranted and conflicting claims. Let's not be deceived.
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20. Fact and Logic Confirm Hell. Unless we believe the absurd notion that nonexistence can explode into everything, the universe is the effect of an eternal, self-existent, powerful, creative intelligence and will like the God the Bible mentions in Genesis 1:1; Ex. 3:14; John 1:1-5, 14; Heb. 1:1-3. A creator of everything has no problem taking on a human nature and body. Both Bible history and secular history tell us Christians believed Jesus was God. Only an anti-supernatural bias can deny it. Jesus fulfilled ancient prophecies as a virgin birth, performed miracles, claimed to be God with us, and best of all  died to pay for our sins. Although His tomb was guarded and sealed, He arose from the dead and said all who trust in Him have life eternal. This is God's good news for you and me and our most serious issue of life--Hell is the alternative!! Please turn from darkness to light, from self and Satan to the Lord who gave Himself for us!
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My reader friend, thank you for your time. Won't you say yes to the Savior who will save you from Hell, give you a new life, a new hope, a new love you never dreamed possible. All our problems won't be solved or all our questions answered. But eternal life is offered us to trust the Savior of us sinners. Say, Lord Jesus, I trust you now to forgive my sins and make me your servant now and forever. Amen.  Lord, bless and use my friend. May he/she share this good news.
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Secular Religions Or Biblical Christianity?

                 Secular Religions Or Biblical Christianity?

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By secular religions I refer to secular minded persons who have little or no acquaintance with the Bible and its teachings. Perhaps only that they once attended the wedding or funeral of a Christian friend. Secular folks nevertheless may have strong beliefs or opinions about religious and ethical issues which is their right.

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We realize that many differing beliefs and practices exist in our culture and world. It's a mark of an educated  person to be acquainted with these differing beliefs. We respect others right to hold their beliefs and in turn expect that same right be shown our beliefs. This doesn't mean, however, that we can't use our minds to examine how differing beliefs relate to reality. Certainly, we wouldn't affirm anyone has the right to harm or murder persons. In this article I will discuss six secular attitudes and contrast them with biblical Christianity in its claim of a real God who acts in our real world.

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Consider Secular Religious Attitudes Positive and Negative.

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All religions are essentially the same. This simply isn't so for two reasons. First, every religion is exclusive with its core beliefs which distinguishes it from all others. Consider Islam and Hinduism as examples. Popular Hinduism is the most accepting of religions. You can believe almost anything about god or in many gods and be a Hindu. But you can't deny the caste system and reincarnation. Islam, however, is belief in Allah (God) and the worst sin is (shirk) to say there are other Gods. So Islam and Hinduism are both exclusive and neither believes the same as the other. Second, if any religion is true, all religions that oppose it must be false since the opposite of true is false. So people who say religions are essentially the same are either uninformed or play down the differences to avoid possible disputes. 

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Positive thinking and self-help books are all we need. It's popular even with some preachers. Self-help books do give good suggestions for improvement in various areas. For example, be kind and loving to people is good advise that will win friends and influence people. But negatives such as don't lie, don't steal, don't murder are needed to further define what good and loving means. The Bible's positive statements in Matthew 22:37-40 and Philippians 4:8 are defined by all the rest of biblical teaching. Without the Bible's teaching on sin we wouldn't know we are rebelling against a morally perfect God, and need Christ's deliverance from sin and offer of Heaven. Even our good deeds apart from Christ are rebellion and for self-glory.

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What's popular, or  what the majority thinks, is alright with me. Philosophies, doctrines, fads, traditions come and go and may be contradictory. Because something is popular doesn't mean it's true or right. Even when it seems to work it may not be true or good and lead to troubles later on. Political correctness doesn't necessarily mean  correctness with God. But God's will is what will count in the end and for eternity. What elitists make correct today, their replacements may make incorrect tomorrow and punish.  Elitists sometimes kill their dictators to take their place and force their form of correctness. Oppression of free thought and actions leads to slavery. Socialist denial of God brings on rules, taxes, unemployment, poverty, crime and destruction. No god but Caesar leads to slavery.

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Don't be a religious fanatic. Put your religion on the back burner and don't promote it. People may think you strange, or be offended at you, or even persecute you.  Of course we're to be respectful and not give offense. But to worship God one hour on Sunday and do our own thing the rest of the time is not pleasing to the One who gave his life that we might have life eternal. Such religion is just a dot in our big circle of  life. But Jesus is to be Lord of all of life. His true disciples are to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. If we're ashamed of Jesus, at his return, He will be ashamed of us. Christians are to be in the world as salt and light but not be part of it's evil system (Matt.5:14). Our every thought, word, and deed will be our eternal reward or loss at his judgment and in eternity (1 Cor.3:9-12).

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Christians are hypocrites, legalists, and condemners of others. Yes, indeed sins (bad behavior) of Christians dishonors Christ and His church. But consider these things before you judge and condemn Christians. Not everyone thought or claimed Christian, is Christian. Some profess Christ who don't possess Him (Matt. 6:21-23). People can go to church for other than spiritual reasons. Christians face the same temptations, difficulties and limitations as non-Christians. Just becoming a Christian doesn't immediately make anyone perfect, or knowledgeable, or  godly, or fully committed. Churches don't always teach right  beliefs and practices either. All these factors weigh in to fair evaluation. Further, non-Christians commit the same sins and condemning Christians doesn't excuse them (Matt. 7:1-5; Rom. 2:1). But only Christians have assurance of God's forgiveness and of Heaven (John 3:36).

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I don't like Christians.. The prophets, Christ, and His apostles were condemned and killed for godly behavior (Matt. 23:37; John 15:18-25; Acts 7:58-59). Jesus parable of the killing of the landowners servants gave a stern warning to those who did it (Matt. 22:33-46). He said that persons without the wedding garment (not of Christ's church) will be cast into outer darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 22:1-14). Godly behavior is a rebuke to ungodly behavior. But God so loved the world that He gave his unique sinless Son to die to save us unworthy sinners (John. 3:16). And God alone can make our hearts right with Him and with others.
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Biblical Christianity Claims A Real Ethical God Who Acts In Our Real World.

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It's an unwarranted, dogmatic, even arrogant assumption to claim there's no personal, ethical God who can act in our world. We know scientifically the universe had a beginning, and since nothing can't create something, the universe must be the effect of a great creative mind and will like what the Bible calls God (Gen. 1:1). Moreover, it's a much lessor thing for a Creator of the universe to act in extraordinary ways we would call miracles. He could even take on a human nature and body like what is claimed of Jesus Christ. And there's no rule the Lord of creation must show Himself in accord with out demands but could appear in recognizable ways at selected times as recorded in the Bible. It's up to us as honest thinking persons to openmindedly examine Christian claims to see if they be true. It makes no sense to say mindless elements can arrange themselves into plants, animals, and man no matter how much time.  
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Further, God is disclosed as a Trinity of love. Anything different from what God has told us about Himself  is  limited  unauthorative human guesses. The Bible statements teach God is love (1 John 4:8) which means personal relationships. In eternity God existed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit  in relationship which means He can have loving relationship with us made in His image.
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What God has told us about Himself is what we must believe. Any denial of this is not biblical Christianity but another belief contrary to what is taught in the Bible and has always been affirmed by true Christian churches.
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The nature of God is not in conflict but is beyond human understanding. We can understand how God can be one essence but not how God can at the same time be three persons that can communicate with each other. But that is exactly what the Scriptures teach about God. Jesus talked to his Father and sent the person of the Holy Spirit to us. When we can't comprehend all the grandeur and mysteries of the universe, how can we expect to understand the even greater God who created them? See my article on The Great Mysteries of the Christian Faith.
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Now certainly biblical history deserves honest openminded reading. It reads like real history telling the faults and failures of even it best characters. And it tells of God acting in our real world in surprising ways. So much of it is verified by archaeologists digging up artifacts telling of kings, priests, places, dates and events described in detail in the Bible. People were always astonished and doubtful at biblical miracles showing people then knew nature's patterns as well as we do today. Its prophets were persecuted for revealing the abuses and secrets of the wicked. Bible history is all so natural with world conditions and human nature to be anything fake or made up. It's God's truth.
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 God the Father sent his Son Jesus, the promised Messiah and Savior, to all who believe in Him. Many persons testify they have come to have a new heart of love, peace in God's forgiveness, and hope of eternal life unimaginable before. This wonderful event can happen to you too. Won't you say, Lord, I trust you to forgive my wrong doing (sin). You paid for my evil actions by your death on the cross. Now Lord, save me from sin and hell to live for and serve You forever. Thank You Lord for saving me.
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Now as a new follower of Christ I want to read Your Word, obey Your commands, and share my new faith with others who don't know You. Help me follow Your great plan for my life. I pray others I tell on Facebook or tweet will come to trust in You as well. I want to do what I can to make a better world and show people how to go to heaven.
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A Dozen Eggs You Don't Want to Hatch!

                  A Dozen Eggs You Don't Want to Hatch!

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Youth is less experienced and more easily persuaded. But at any age we can fall into traps that destroy our character, ruin our reputation, restrict our future opportunities, and may send us to prison. It's said, "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." Protect Your Character and Your Future!

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We can be so focused on  the present and its seeming harmless enticements and never once consider the addictions, destructions, limitations, heartaches, and sufferings that we must face down the road. "Oh, if I had only known--but now it's too late!" Please take these admonitions seriously as they may save you from utter ruin.

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1. Everybody's doing it. Do we know that to be a fact? Has anyone taken a survey? Maybe it seems that way because our particular friends seem to be doing it. Maybe they just say that thinking it more acceptable. Even supposing they are doing it, does that make it right? Could it have harmful consequences down the road? Will our family approve of it? Do you have to sneak around to do it?Consider these things seriously.

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2. Just one time won't hurt you. Are you sure? Many have thought that and become addicted to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gambling that they wish a million times they never would have started. Girls can get pregnant from sex just one time and live with guilt and maybe poverty the rest of their lives. Seeming present benefits may have long term harmful effects. Does it make us wise or more adult to take on adult habits that become expensive destructive addictions we later regret? Don't let yourself be tricked.

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3. Don't be a party pooper.  Friends, movies, and teachers may promote and pressure immoral destructive behavior as though there's nothing wrong in it.  It takes courage to stand for behaviors we know to be right. Sometimes we need to change friends to those who share our moral values. We need to feel good about ourselves, a good clean guilt free conscience can prevent anxiety and fear of exposure. Do be God's precious trooper.

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4. Cutting corners is good business. It can destroy an otherwise good business. It's dishonest, risky, and eventually likely to be found out, destroy your business and prevent you from starting another business. You would resent someone cheating you. Fair and honest business produces more good business. People trust you when they know you give them a fair deal.

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5. You won't know unless you try. That might be true but any harm done may be too late to correct. Adam and Eve gave us all a rebellious sinful nature. Seeking to learn more about the subject first is wise and may save us many tearful regrets. Avoid even the appearance of evil.

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6. I won't tell on you. Don't put trust in people's word. They have already approved an evil act. You may have a fallen out with them and they quickly spill the beans. People may find out anyway. We can always overlook something or make a mistake. If we lie about it, we might have to tell more lies to cover up and get into deeper trouble. A temporary advantage isn't worth risking a sterling character. Trust in the Lord and do good.

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7. It may be your last or only chance.  Even supposing it is, gaining the whole world isn't worth losing your own soul. Good character is what enables people to trust you and give you chances. Bad character doesn't. You don't know it's your last or only chance. Surprising opportunities do occur. Believe and behave.

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8. It's just borrowing and you can put it back later. Just borrowing is a lie. Taking something that doesn't belong to you is stealing.  We can never know we will not be found out or even can put it back. Conditions can change unexpectedly. Honesty is the best policy.

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9. It will make you popular, successful, wealthy, or sexy. Such things are not the most important things in the world though we may selfishly think so. Good character, self-esteem, an honest living, trustworthiness, faithfulness, and loyalty are worthy of everyone's respect. We can be outstanding in areas mentioned above and not find fulfillment. Being sexy can lead to unwanted problems while real beauty is in good character. Bad behavior to obtain something may backfire later on.

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10. Nobody will ever find out. We don't know that. It may turn out much different than what we ever imagined. People see things when we don't know they're around, as when Moses killed the Egyptian. Nazis who killed Jews escaped to other countries and many were found. Besides, a guilty fearful life is not good. God too knows all our secrets good and bad.

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11. You deserve to get even. Two wrongs don't make a right. This life is not just, but justice will be served one day by the all knowing Lord Jesus. He who took our place, dying for our sins on the cross, is the same one to whom we will bow and give account of our lives. The nails didn't hold Him to the cross. Love for us held the perfect Son of God to the cross. He could have called ten thousand angels to his aid. Man's worst injustice, God used to bring about the world's greatest good--the Lord Jesus' death to save us unworthy sinners. Leave it in God's hands.

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12. God wants us to have fun. Indeed, he does and we can in a multitude of ways. But the fun God wants us to have is not destructive of our character, our body, our mind, our family or our country. It gives us self-respect, a guilt free conscience, moral purity, and hope for good things throughout life. Party with purity.
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A good name is to be chosen rather than riches (Proverbs 22:1). Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come (Ecclesiastes 12:1). I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of you mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2). May I recommend that you commit yourself to the Lord each day. That's the only way we can escape the pollutions of this evil world system.

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Did God Feed Israel Manna In The Wilderness?

             Did God Feed Israel Manna In The Wilderness?

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Those ancient Jews lived in a prescientific era unable to understand things we do today. Their Bible stories were just myths, or ignorant imaginings. If miracles happened then, we would see them happen today, but we don't.

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This thinking may seem so reasonable to us today but let's give it fair open-minded consideration. Perhaps we've never given it serious thought that ancient people could know more than we realize. In this article, I want to challenge what may be our erroneous assumptions and to expound some unusual characteristics of this biblical event.

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Consider five assumptions some persons think make biblical miracles incredible or impossible.

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Some assume no Creator of the universe exists. But we know the universe didn't exist and didn't create itself, so something had to create it. That creator had to be self-existent, eternal and unchanging or else it would cease to exist. It had to be immaterial or spiritual since it brought matter, space-time into existence. It had to be an infinite living Mind and will in order to explain all the living intelligent things we see around us daily. Something can't give what it doesn't have. In other words, it has to be what we would describe as the Almighty, all knowing God. Moreover, there can be no more than one God or absolute. 

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Some too assume nature's laws would prevent a Creator God from acting in our world. But it's not difficult for the universe's Creator to do much lesser things. The Lord of nature can direct his laws to act in any way at any time it suits his purpose.Thus, extraordinary things as miracles and prophecies are his prerogative. But can we recognize such things if they occur?

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Others assume we couldn't know or identify God acting supernaturally in our world. People have always recognized nature's usual patterns. But if a spokesman for God waves his staff and water forms walls for people to walk between, we know that's of God. People can't walk on water, but if they see a man doing it and claiming to be God, that's decisive. If a woman becomes pregnant not having known a man, that takes an act of God. If a person's ear is severed by a sword and someone who claims he existed before the world did restores it back normal, that's God in action. The Bible is filled with such things. Skeptical astonished persons knowing nature's ordinary patterns but seeing such extraordinary events came to believe God does indeed act in our world. Further, if men claiming God spoke to them of things impossible to know come to pass, that too is another way to know God acts in our world. Clearly God acted--such things can't be considered accidents of chance or anomalies or ignorance or superstition or fraud--they're the real thing.

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Again, some assume God wouldn't take on human form to tell us who he is. Who can make a rule that man's Creator can't take on a human nature and body to tell us and show us who he is? Certainly, we see we are the highest form of creation above other living things.  God being a Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who before creation enjoyed fellowship as  persons sharing the same essence, then it's reasonable he made us in his  rational, moral, immortal image for relationship with him and to bring him glory. See my article on Great Mysteries of the Christian Faith.

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Lastly, some assume the Jews would endure torture and death knowing all the while the miracles were lies.  For their faith biblical writers were ridiculed, beaten, tortured, imprisoned, murdered. Zechariah was stoned, Isaiah  sawed in two, Uriah killed with the sword, as were others  (Heb. 11:36-37). Jesus assured faithful believers they would be persecuted (Matt. 5:12). John the baptizer, Peter, Paul and others met horrible deaths. Can we seriously believe they would endure such treatment knowing their writings and testimony were all a lie? It's simply incredible.

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Now let's look at the particular characteristics of God feeding Israel manna in the dessert.
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The manna's appearance seems an undeniable historical event.  The wilderness setting, conditions, places, names, descriptions all correspond with what is known of that region today. Israel's difficulties, complaints, unbelief, and rebellion  illustrate human nature under such conditions. Frequent Bible references confirm Israel considered it a real event in their history (Ex. 16:1-5, 14; Num. 11:1-9; Neh. 9:15, 20; Josh. 5:12; Ps. 78:20, 22-25; 105:40; Jn. 6:22-59; Heb. 9:4).  This can't be a once upon a time in a far away land made up child's story. It really happened.

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The manna's unique nature. It was a small round flaky substance that appeared on the ground when the dew melted.  It could be made into cakes and stewed or baked. It looked like white  seed and tasted like honey wafers or like pastry prepared with oil. It was nutritious and may have been suited to each person's taste. 

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It's perennial appearance. God promised Israel food from heaven. When discovered, the people asked, "What is it?" Although they had been living in the area two and a half months, this was something new they had not seen before. It was seen when the sun melted the dew. The manna appeared all seasons and ever place Israel camped for 40 years.

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It's  six day appearance and spoilage. It came consistently six days a week but not on the seventh. The manna was to be gathered in the mornings and completely eaten each day with none left over or else it stank and became wormy. But the people were to gather up twice as much on the sixth day to last over the Sabbath and then it didn't spoil. God was teaching them the seventh was to be their day of rest and worship and they were to honor him with their obedience.

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It's constant quantity. Regardless of how much or how little manna was gathered there was always  enough to feed two million people. Everyone in each household was fed but had to be eaten that day. While Israel had other foods this was the bread God promised them from Heaven.  

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It was a promised sign. Israel never regarded the manna as a mere product of nature. It was a gift and sign of God's presence and provision to her in her need. It was designed as a test of their faith and belief in it may serve as a test of our faith today. Critics try to explain it away as the sweet-tasting excretion left by insects on the twigs of the tamarisk trees. But that appeared only in June and July and did not spoil in 24 hours. The manna, however, came all year around everywhere Israel camped and must be eaten that day. Also, the manna appeared two and a half months after Israel had been in the wilderness and stopped forty years later when Israel ate from the promised land of milk and honey.
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It was a perpetual memorial. Three quarts of manna were placed in a jar in the ark of the covenant. It was kept there unspoiled  for future generations to see. This was unspoiled undeniable evidence to future generations of God's presence and supply of the people's need in the dessert wilderness.

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It's verification by the Lord Jesus. The wilderness manna was a type or representative of the spiritual food only Jesus can give. Manna fed physical bodies that perished, but Jesus is spiritual food bringing eternal life. He is the true bread come down from Heaven to give life to every believer.
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Dear reader, if you feel this is God's truth that you should trust in Jesus for spiritual and eternal life, that's God speaking to you in love offering you forgiveness of sins, acceptance and peace with God. Won't you open your heart now by saying: Lord, I trust you now and forever to forgive me, be with me, and guide me through this life and help me live for You until I die or You come to receive me. Thank you my loving Lord Jesus and Messiah. Amen (so be it).
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Now get into the Bible which is God's instructions of how we can live to please our Mastor. Pray and worship with God's believing people, and share your new faith with friends and loved ones. Sharing these articles too can bring them to the Lord in an exciting new life, hope, and joy in Jesus. God bless.
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Could Unbelievers Fear A Real God?

                        Could Unbelievers Fear A Real God?

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Ha! Ha! That question seems ridiculous, even stupid! I see trees, birds, animals, people, stars, but no God, or anything suggesting God. God is nothing but a figment of ignorant peoples' imagination, maybe their attempt to comfort themselves in difficult circumstances.

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Not so fast! Could we have mistaken notions about what God must be? Could we be looking in the wrong places? Or, maybe be blind to what we see? Could we even be deceiving ourselves? Let's think openly, honestly and courageously about these following questions.

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Could God Be An Invisible Spirit?
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 So we don't see anything we would call God. Honestly, it's good that we don't. For if we did see some physical being, animal, or man, alleged to be God, it would likely be severely limited to occupying one spot on earth and one place in time like all other things do. If God were an animal as a lion, or insect like an ant, we likely could never think God was anything to be concerned about and that we might kill god as an inferior being and pest. And if God were a man, we could probably communicate with him. But being no more than a man he would have our same limitations and we would see no reason to worship or  to expect anything more from him than from ourselves. But the word "God" is used to mean much more than mere human limitations.
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If people everywhere can pray to God, worship God, seek to obey God, and expect God to do far greater things, even things impossible for man, then God must be several things more than a mere man. A God everybody can pray to is not a physical thing limited to one spot, time, or language and must know everything. His knowledge would be astronomical maybe infinite. That's the kind of God taught in the Bible and the Christian faith. The Bible's God is an infinite Spirit existing throughout time and space. Any man made idol of wood, stone, or metal would greatly misrepresent him making him worthless.

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Could God Be A Creative Person?
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Now we don't have to be a rocket scientist to realize that nothing can't create something. Nothing means nonexistence without mind, will, and power. We know the universe hasn't always existed but came into being at some point when matter, space and time began. So if it didn't exist, something else must have existed to bring it into being. That something must be equally great or greater than its material creation since something can't give what it doesn't have. So the Bible says,"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).
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We know also that life doesn't magically spontaneously spring into being from non life. Non life has no mind, will, and power to create itself in any amount of time. Atoms can't decide let's arrange ourselves into germs, virus, plants, animals and man. Again, the facts require that that creative something have life and to always have been living without change. God must be an eternal, self-existent, intelligent, living, planning creative being or person. This is what is meant in the Bible by the word--God.
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"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,  and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:1-5.    

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Could We Miss Other Pointers To God?
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Some persons claim we don't need God since evolution can explain everything. But can it? Nonexistence can't explode and evolve into anything. Anything begun requires a Beginner. Numerous things require a creative mind and will outside the mindless elements of nature. Eggs require chickens to lay on them before they hatch and the chicken has a chemical necessary for eggs to form. Everything that breathes requires just the right combination of gases and density of atmosphere. Nature can't know birds need wings to fly, animals need legs to walk, fish need fins to swim, men need arms to make things. Male and female gender is tremendously complicated, had to exist together at the same time, and exists in myriad life forms throughout the animal kingdom. No closed-minded faith as evolutionary naturalism can account for these things and a million others. Everything points to God.
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Our eye beholding things of breathtaking beauty inspire a sense of awe and wonder giving us the impression something more than nature exists, and that it must be good and love us. Just as things which thirst have a need for water, there is water. Loneliness means we have a need for companionship, and compatible companions exist. Our sense of incompleteness implies something exists to complete us. Our need for purpose is pointless unless there is an ultimate purpose or Purposer. Even truth is irrational unless there's an ultimate truth to make it rational. All such things point to God and make no sense unless the biblical kind of God exists.
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Could God Be A Moral Person?
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Would you be appalled to see your loved ones used for target practice, or see human beings hung on meat hooks to be purchased and roasted for food?  Would you not object to others lying, stealing, deceiving, and cheating you? Since we are a common humanity, if such things are wrong for one  person, they would be wrong for us all.
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Can we believe human life has no more value than that? No, something inside us cringes at such things knowing they can't be right and are terribly unjust. It's called a conscience. But if there's no ethical God to whom we must give account of our lives, concepts of justice and love make no sense for merely perishing animals. This too points to a just but loving God to whom we must one day give account of our lives.

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Could God Walk Among Us?
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Now if God be creator of all the universe and made us in his rational, moral, immortal image for relationship with us, what could possibly be difficult for him to take on a human nature and body to communicate with us? But how could we recognize him if he came among us and was no different than any other ordinary man? We couldn't in that case recognize him. He would have to not only claim to be our God but do extraordinary things to get our attention and demonstrate his claims true. What would that require?
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"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotton of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). See my article, The Great Mysteries of the Christian Faith.
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Consider these things. What if Jesus claimed to be God and could predict things months even years before they occurred? What if he did specific things predicted centuries earlier that only God could know and do? What if he could do astonishing things nature's patterns cannot normally allow? Such things beyond human ability would definitely show he was more than man and must be a God-man!
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Jesus predicted Peter's denial three times before the roaster crowed, Judas' betrayal, his death and resurrection after three days. He fulfilled centuries earlier prophecies that Messiah would be God, perform miracles, live without sin, die for sinners and be raised from the dead. His disciples and his critics were astonished at his miracles and couldn't deny them. All these things are impossible if Jesus be a mere man. (For more detail, see my articles on Jesus' prophecies and miracles.)    

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Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).
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 Nothing but arguments are sometimes used to ridicule Christians with pretense of knowledge one doesn't have and sense of self-importance not pleasing to God. If we could gain the whole world but lose our own soul, would that be wise? Everywhere we look is evidence pointing to the biblical God. Human dignity and real justice exists only if God exists and Jesus demonstrated he is our God who walked among us. Heaven is where God's perfect love is made known. We are given the choice to trust Jesus to forgive our sins, save us from Hell, and follow Him in life. You are invited to become right now a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ seeking His will the rest of your life. Say, Lord Jesus I trust You to save me and show me Your will for my life from now on. Trust Jesus as your loving Lord. Follow the Bible. Don't be afraid!
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Warfare in the Quran & in the Bible

                         Warfare in the Qur'an & in the Bible 

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Since the terrorist 9/11 assault on symbols of American wealth and power secularists have come to feel that devotion to the God of any holy book is a dangerous thing. Postmodernists believe everything is in flux, socially estranged and requires their authoritative interpretation. They despise any hint of objective religious authority. They may know little if anything about either holy book but equate the God of both as the cause of religious wars. Can we know the truth about this important matter? 

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One thing they seem to overlook is that the twenty century socialists/communists and Nazis denying God and religion have caused more deaths and destroyed more lands in wars than all the previous religious wars put together. I wonder how they can casually dismiss that as insignificant. Are we right to assume religious wars are all on the same footing? Is there no difference between Muslim terrorists and biblical Christians, between Quran's hate teaching to fight and slay pagans where you find them (Surah 9:5) and Jesus' commandments to love God and man (Matt. 24:37-40)?

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Warfare in the Quran.

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Islam is a state religion bent on conquering the world. It seems impossible to separate the religion from the government or from Islamic society. They are one indivisible community that regards all infidels who won't summit as their enemy. This is the plain teaching of the Quran and the Hadith and gives Islamic soldiers dying in battle for Allah (God) assurance of going to paradise where all their sensual desires will be satisfied--wine, many beautiful women, song and every comfort of life (Surah 37:40-48; 60:10-40; 76:10-21). Nothing is said about their wives having virgins.
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Muhammad is known at the prophet of the sword and his life is the pattern Muslims are to follow (Surah 33:21; 68:4). Islam began in conquest, and has a history of warfare with its objective to impose its religion and law upon the world. When in a minority, Muslims cite their annulled  verse in the Quran that teaches no compulsion in religion and claim peace (Surah 2:256). But when they gain a majority, they enforce the multiple passages that plainly teach to kill all infidels who will not submit to Islam.
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Any unbelieving nation and people who won't summit to Islam is their enemy and if not subdued by persuasion must be by force. Jews and Christians are not Allah's friends or protectors (Surah 5:51; 60:1). Even treaty obligations with pagans may be dissolved (Surah 9:1, 3; 16:101). Muslims with head bowed to the ground facing Mecca are taught to pray five times a day and that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet. That's instilled in them from cradle to grave and difficult to renounce.
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Their ideal of peace cannot be achieved until all nations are brought under Islamic rule. Muslim states rich in oil enable them to equip Jihadist terrorists to use violent destruction all over the world. Islamic law oppresses any personal opinion (Surah 33:36). It governs all political, social, military and family life. Unlike biblical Christianity, basic Islam does not promote human dignity, equality, freedom, love and peace.
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While not all Muslims agree with this, they are not very vocal to protest it. Islamic schools and mosques teach hatred of unsubmissive infidels and fearful threats to Muslims who would convert to another religion. Committed parents will disown or even kill their own children who accept another religion. Consider three of  over a hundred plain terrorist statements of the Quran and the Hadith.
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Sura 8:12, 17. "I will instill terror into the infidels, smite them above their necks; smite all their fingertips off them. It is not you who slay them but Allah."

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Sura 9:14. "Kill the infidels, God will torment and cover them with shame."

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Hadith 1:35. "The person who participates in Allah's cause (namely, in battle), . . will be recompensed by Allah either with reward or booty or will be admitted to Paradise."

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Warfare in the Jewish Tanakh or Old Testament..
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Israel was a theocracy or state religion directed by God that sought justice and peace in the world. But fairness requires we understand several factors. First, its recorded killings aren't always approved biblical teaching. It records Moses unlawfully killed the Egyptian. Warfare among kings may be simply stated without expressed approval or disapproval. Second, Israel's just God does  command warfare as one means of judgment. He drowned Pharaoh's army in the sea, used Joshua to defeat the Canaanites living in Israel's promised land, later used Israel's leaders called judges to defeat their warring neighbors. But Israel too was subject to God's judgments for wrong doing. Among them God slew 24,000 idolaters in a plague (Num. 25:9), complainers against God over  age 20 weren't allowed into the promised land, Israel's defeat at Ai, and her later captivity.
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Third, unlike other nations Israel's rules of warfare were most humane (Deut. 20). A priest would tell soldiers God would give them victory and officers would tell those afraid to go home. The army coming against a city was to offer them peace and to pay tribute but if they didn't accept, only then to kill the soldiers and put others under subjection. Among the Canaanites living in the land promised to Israel, God commanded everything be utterly destroyed except believers in the true God such as Rahab. Even then God gave the Canaanites 400 years to repent before judgment. He knew they would  lead Israel from God into idolatry, astrology, homosexuality, child sacrifice, and bestiality (Ex. 22:18-20; Lev. 18:20-23). Further, Canaanites practices were unsanitary and productive of disease.
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Surely postmodernists don't forbid governments to oppose evil, or do they? Sometimes war is necessary to put down evil. Hitler unopposed would have subjected the world to death or slavery. Isn't it the state's duty to arrest criminals, burglars, rapists, murders, child abusers and the like for public safety and security? But if there is no personal ethical God as a standard, then anything can happen for the worse.

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Warfare in the New Testament.

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Biblical Christianity is not a state religion but a worldwide spiritual brotherhood of all who acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and the Bible teachings as their authority and guide. It's true that some nations have been called "Christian" but that is subject to interpretations. Never in any nation could all be called Christians in the biblical sense just mentioned. Even where a majority claimed the Christian faith it may mean only their belief in a personal ethical God and Christian ethics as the accepted norm. The Crusades of the middle age were called holy wars to retake lands Muslims had taken from them but this clearly is not the teaching of the New Testament. Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight"John 18:36.
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Unlike Muhammad who brandished the sword to kill many people who saw him as a false prophet, Jesus told Peter to put away the sword because he could have twelve legions of angles come to his rescue but then the Scriptures of his dying to save us sinners would not be fulfilled (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:27; Matthew 26:52-54; Ephesians 1:7).
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New Testament warfare and armor is described in Ephesians 6:10-19. "But on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places".
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Further explanation metaphorically represents the pieces of armor in spiritual  concepts of truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer. These are the weapons New Testament believers are to fight with and they are powerful to bring down strongholds.
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"The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:4-5). These articles are supreme examples of Christian spiritual warfare. In uncensored libraries and bookstores many books can be found mentioning the same things said here, even in some books by Muslims. See books below and the article: They have come for us, Claiming America for Islam.
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Saul, the first great persecutor of Christians was transformed into Paul, the first great preacher of Christ. It's happened many times and can happen many more times. Brothers and sisters around the globe, let's take courage, put on the gospel armor and witness what great things God will do through us. Jesus alone is Lord and Savior of us sinners. 1 Corinthians 15:58.
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