John81

These days it's wise to have something on hand that can be used as defense, to make a loud noise, or otherwise help confuse, scare and hopefully stop an attacker.
It's almost as if millions have gone insane these days. Some will attack women, children, the elderly, handicapped, anyone it crosses their mind to assault for whatever reason, and sometimes no real reason.
May the Lord protect us in these ever more dangerous times.

These are some good discussions. I've heard some of these points mixed in with pre, mid, and post-trib views. There seem to be many ways to consider some of these points and how they actually fit, what the timeline of end-time events is, whether Scripture presents them in order or not, how much of the puzzle are we given, what is withheld from us, and even right down to just what do certain words mean.
A few years ago, maybe several now, a ministry moved from a pre-trib to mid-trib position. The pastor laid out how in his prayer time and time in the Word on the matter he came to believe the Bible actually puts forth a mid-trib, not a pre-trib rapture. Very briefly there was some good discussion between him and pre-trib folks but it quickly descended into the pre-trib folks launching personal attacks and accusations. That pastors ministry suffered much, but he held to what he believed the Lord had shown him. Unfortunately the attacks (not attempts to teach, help, restore or such) was so terrible he ended public discussion of the matter. Many were turned away by his switch in positions and many more were turned away by the nature of the attacks by the pre-trib supporters.
Very sad. I believe if the open, civil, seemingly sincere attempts to come to biblical truth which were coming from all involved at first had continued there could have been much edification.

Now that made my wife laugh out loud!

Indeed the evolution theory of tiny changes (evolution) taking place over long periods of time is an impossibility. Whether one looks at the basic blocks of our being, DNA, or the overall creature, whether human, wolf or hammerhead shark, it's clear their existence couldn't be unless the whole was created together in an instant.
Good study, Alan!

Imagine if scientists would consider all possibilities rather than only looking for answers in their narrow box of evolution, big bang theory.
Amazing to watch scientific genius' stumbling for words and ideas as they try to determine what the invisible, unknown thing is which holds everything together and makes everything work while seemingly having to violate their ideas of laws which should govern such.
It's too much to consider God, but perfectly acceptable to invent terms to call something they know not what they are talking about, such as dark energy and dark matter (dark meaning unknown).
The Bible holds answers if only they would hear.

Imagine if scientists would consider all possibilities rather than only looking for answers in their narrow box of evolution, big bang theory.
Amazing to watch scientific genius' stumbling for words and ideas as they try to determine what the invisible, unknown thing is which holds everything together and makes everything work while seemingly having to violate their ideas of laws which should govern such.
It's too much to consider God, but perfectly acceptable to invent terms to call something they know not what they are talking about, such as dark energy and dark matter (dark meaning unknown).
The Bible holds answers if only they would hear.

These are very needful and encouraging messages!  I only had time to listen to the first one this morning, and I look forward to hearing the rest of them.  With sincerity, I pray that this passage of scripture and the other scriptures used would not only "stir" me up, but hopefully "change" me!  II Cor. 10:5 is very much a verse that we need to commit to "writing down on the tables of our hearts", and applied in our lives!  Being a "good soldier of Jesus Christ" is a wonderful thing, and ought to be an absolutely delightful desire for us to strive for - by His strength and workmanship.  This morning, I'm very INcouraged by these messages!

If any of us were born able not to sin then the law would have been enough and there would have been no need of a Redeemer.
 

Schools and the medical profession are heavily involved in promoting and using these sort of things. Schools and doctors "prescribe" such things as a means of healing, well-being, mental clarity, self-realization, overall health and wellness.
Christian prayer and searching the Scriptures is ignored or outright discouraged. Only "mystical" things such as contemplative meditation, yoga, breathing therapy, or even praying or communing with false gods, "mother nature", or "the universe" are deemed beneficial.
The devil is busy in all this and he has millions of servants doing his work for him.

If any of us were born able not to sin then the law would have been enough and there would have been no need of a Redeemer.
 

This reminds me of those nature vs nurture battles in university. It never ceased to amaze me how many professors would claim babies are born as a beautiful, pure, blank slate of goodness and it was only prejudiced influence and teaching of parents and others which corrupted the innocent child...which presumably, if the baby could care for itself, would grow up to be a perfect, flawless adult without outside influence.
No amount of evidence to the contrary could ever change their position or admit the other position might have some valid points.
Scripture is clear we are born sinners and observation supports that position.

I do find it interesting that when it comes to Christianity they claim the older texts have to be viewed as the most accurate and most reliable, yet for other works these days it's often pointed out early printings often have errors that were corrected in later printings.
An annoying factor is those people, especially prevalent online, who love to post pithy statements claiming the KJB is full of errors, that there are thousands of ancient copies of the Bible and none of them agree with one another, that Christianity has no factual basis. Then people flood in to "like" or post supporting comments to these. Never mind anti-Bible posting contained no factual basis of support.
There is no simple pithy response that would even be considered and no way to put forth a factual response without a large posting. Thus, the anti-Bible postings most often go unchallenged and more and more people believe such lies or have the lies they already believe reinforced.
Sorry, not really sure why that came to mind.
 

This reminds me of those nature vs nurture battles in university. It never ceased to amaze me how many professors would claim babies are born as a beautiful, pure, blank slate of goodness and it was only prejudiced influence and teaching of parents and others which corrupted the innocent child...which presumably, if the baby could care for itself, would grow up to be a perfect, flawless adult without outside influence.
No amount of evidence to the contrary could ever change their position or admit the other position might have some valid points.
Scripture is clear we are born sinners and observation supports that position.

Actually my wife bought the farm, (lol) long before she was a Christian, and before she met me. I have never been of the mindset that if we are here for the tribulation that somehow my farm will protect me. If the beast is empowered by Satan, it isn't as though he doesn't know where we are and we could just hide away unnoticed. For now, we live there because we like being off-grid and not having to pay the power company for power or water, and to able to eat our own food. always liked in the Bible where it said to eat from your own vine and drink from your own cistern
But as I have said I am closing my comments on the subject because it isn't my desire to cause strife or fighting over the issue.
Not at all.  My reason is not because anyone hurt my feelings or anything like that.
Something I have been working on in my church where I pastor, is trying to get the entire church on one page, doctrinally.  In doing this, I have to recognize that we probably won't agree on EVERYTHING under the sun, so it is necessary to try to bring the concentration first into what I see as the most important things we agree on: Jesus Christ, salvation, the Bible, worldliness, faith, fruit, such things, fundamentals of the faith and living a spiritually prosperous life that will please God. For many years, as much as I have preached, I found after more than 13 years, we still had 'methodists' and 'pentecostals' and 'Lutherans' as members-we generally agreed, but, for instance, some used KJV just because I did, but preferred such and such version-they never got the understanding that there is a reason I used the KJV over the others, and not just a preference. One guy is out there buying and handing out cars to lost alcoholics because he thinks he will help them that way, like a good Christian, and had eternal longsuffering for their poor behavior, but criticized immature believers because they still sometimes acted worldly because they were still learning, and had little patience for them.   
So I began a year-long work to get us all on one page, to have a unified church, in unity in doctrine, and in Jesus Christ. real biblical unity, not the fuzzy ecumenical garbage many were into. In the process, I have lost some because they could not accept that unity, could not accept the doctrines. (And no, the rapture issue never came up).  One family left because of the KJV issue, and that was even before I could begin the actual study on it, (even though I thought they'd leave over tongues). And it has been tough, but I prayed and have come to the conclusion that either, after the year, we are a small but unified church, more fit to begin a better, more effective outreach, or there is no more Bible Baptist Church. Unify or die.
I said all that to say this: This issue is, to me an important issue, but it isn't a hill I will fight and die on. I don't see it as an issue of salvation or necessary godly living. Whether pre-trib, mid-trib or post-trib, or anything in between, I recognize that my job as a believer is to live daily for Christ, to preach the gospel, to lift up Christ before men, and the timing of the rapture doesn't change that, nor does it change the urgency of that call. I don't give the gospel because Jesus could come any day, I give the gospel because each man might die before the day ends and never be able to hear again. And if the Lord takes me up before a tribulation begins, or He leaves me here to go through it, doesn't matter. So I would prefer here and now to keep my issue to me, and seek that we might have a better unity in Christ as brethren (and sistren?) and if we are to disagree or discuss, let it be on things worthy of such, that will bring greater spiritual profit to all involved.  

Freedom Shores Elementary School in Boynton Beach, Florida at one time had some kind of zen garden where kids could go and do centering prayers and perform other acts of eastern mysticism.  This was run and promoted by the two quacks (psychologists) who would pull kids out of class without parental permission and discuss their feelings and things at home.  The children would have been much better served by allowing them to feed the alligators and go fishing in the pond behind the school, nice big bass in there!  My point is, this is nothing new, Satan is still scheming to separate people from God.

Sounds very similar to the Republican Bush the First who told Saddam if he invaded Kuwait (which Iraq has always considered to be part of Iraq and not a separate nation) that America would consider such an Iraqi internal matter, not an international manner. Then, after Iraq invaded Kuwait Bush the First launched a campaign to demonize Saddam's invasion of Kuwait and called for an international force (mostly American) to move their forces into the region to drive Iraq from Kuwait.
Both Parties have long been corrupt and though they believe they are in behind the scenes control they grossly overestimate their own wisdom and power while grossly underestimating the many factors beyond their control.
In WWII supposed "Supreme Commander" General Eisenhower was pressured by Churchill and Roosevelt to approve of British General Montgomery's obviously flawed and very long-shot plan to end the war with Germany, which was code named Market Garden. This, despite the fact General Patton had a simple, militarily proven effective plan that in all probability would have seen German resistance crushed and American forces in Berlin in a rather short time frame.
So, for the sake of politics hundreds of thousands of American troops (and their allies) were put at greater risk, the war was drawn out for many more months, and through more political interference the Soviets were allowed to not only take Berlin, but most of Eastern Europe.
The forces of darkness abound in the halls of governments and they all work toward the goal of keeping men lost and seeing lost men die. This will continue until our Lord returns and rules with a rod of iron.

Thank you Alan, I understand your reasoning for this. If, at some point in the future, you do decide to get into that I will still be interested.

You know, I apologize-I am kind of turning this into a "I'm right, you're wrong' thing, which isn't what I wanted to do. I suspect we won't come to an agreement, so maybe as was mentioned above, this is not going to be fruitful, so I have deleted my fairly lengthy post and am going to forego any more on the subject. I don't see it as an issue to fight over-the Lord will come for His when He comes, and I will be pleased when He does.
So for the sake of the love of the brethren and peace of unity, I will close my comments on the subject.
 

That's awesome that's happened to me too.

Indeed this is how I've heard the subject preached upon by every Baptist pastor I've heard preach on the matter.
 

Indeed this is how I've heard the subject preached upon by every Baptist pastor I've heard preach on the matter.
 

Indeed this is how I've heard the subject preached upon by every Baptist pastor I've heard preach on the matter.
 

Oh, and BTW....I was in let's say a rare form the other day....overly stressed by a myriad of things....I was short with you Dave.  I do apologize brother, please forgive me.
I was rude and short with you.  Please forgive me.

In several areas the Chinese have progressed and transgressed upon disputed territories (usually tiny rocky islands) to the point where only military action could remove the Chinese or prevent them from doing more of the same. Will or should America go to war with China because Vietnam, Korea, Philippines and others claim these same places? This is an important question; especially in light of how in several instances some of these nations chose to run away from their claims rather than stand their ground themselves.
As the American economy stands now, a trade war with China would have the potential to hurt America more than China. This brings us back to the point of outright military confrontation being the only real thing that could remove and/or prevent these Chinese incursions. China has fully committed themselves in several locations, including actually building larger islands for military use, and establishing small military outposts on others. The Chinese won't simply walk away from these.
Thankfully, any attempt to invade Taiwan would be an exceedingly far larger project with many potential negatives China would have to consider.
It's good for America to show support for Taiwan but I wish someone more respectable and trustworthy were engaged in this.

These are some good discussions. I've heard some of these points mixed in with pre, mid, and post-trib views. There seem to be many ways to consider some of these points and how they actually fit, what the timeline of end-time events is, whether Scripture presents them in order or not, how much of the puzzle are we given, what is withheld from us, and even right down to just what do certain words mean.
A few years ago, maybe several now, a ministry moved from a pre-trib to mid-trib position. The pastor laid out how in his prayer time and time in the Word on the matter he came to believe the Bible actually puts forth a mid-trib, not a pre-trib rapture. Very briefly there was some good discussion between him and pre-trib folks but it quickly descended into the pre-trib folks launching personal attacks and accusations. That pastors ministry suffered much, but he held to what he believed the Lord had shown him. Unfortunately the attacks (not attempts to teach, help, restore or such) was so terrible he ended public discussion of the matter. Many were turned away by his switch in positions and many more were turned away by the nature of the attacks by the pre-trib supporters.
Very sad. I believe if the open, civil, seemingly sincere attempts to come to biblical truth which were coming from all involved at first had continued there could have been much edification.