America

If you were to go up to a person and just read three of the main messianic prophecies to a random person... and then ask, "Who is this talking about" I bet almost everyone would answer: "Jesus" without even mentioning his name. Likewise, when one examines the Babylon prophecies there is only one country that fits... and that is America.

No, I have asked that question before and people think I am being sarcastic. haha

 

As Christians we are to strive to be like Jesus. How did Jesus tell others about himself? How is it different than the Christians you have encountered?

 

Your apology is accepted, I need to apologize myself to a person I have not seen in 28 years. I hate to apologize. However, my situation was a little different.

 

As far as I know (correct me if I'm wrong) but Jesus didn't advertise himself but others talked about him. Also, from all my encounters with the Christian community they must see Jesus as a manipulator and a liar if they are trying to be like him.

 

Jesus called people out and told them the correct way to live. Never forced them to believe... but He did speak with authority and He did lead by example. That is how Christians should try to be.

Try to look at the message of the Bible instead of the messangers... most of the time they will screw up (because we are human)... I have screwed up plenty of times always falling short of the example of Jesus.

 

He never forced them to believe, he just used moral blackmail and scare tactics. Threats of judgement etc.
A few generations later, people who refused to believe were being burned at the stake, or worse, by christians.

 

I think you need to learn what a Christian is. And a true Christian does not murder people. We know this, because Jesus said Himself, that no murder will enter the Kingdom of God. If people claim to be Christians, and then they murder the one's God values most. Then these people are Christians in name only. And this is way God tells us, that many will come before Him on the last day and will say, Lord, Lord, have we not done many wonderful things in your name. And God will say to them, depart from me, I never knew you.

 

If a true christian doesn't murder people - and actually, like Goering at Nueremberg, the guys who did the heretic burning could argue that they acted 'within the law' - is it ok for a true christian to kill other people in a war? Or cause others to be killed in a war?

 

Which shows how illogical god must be. If he never knew them, how could he be addressing them? The thing doesn't make sense. You can't say to someone you dislike ' i never knew you' - other then in a fit of pique perhaps. The fact is you 'know' every single person you interact with, at least for the duration of the interaction. One might expect the alleged supreme being to comprehend elementary semantics.

How can he judge them if he's never known them?

 

Jesus said what would happen if one would not believe and THAT was eternal damnation. In fact, it has been said that 1/3 of Christ's ministry was about the "fire and brimstone" aspect of life after death.

Now if you interpret what Jesus stated as truth and What I also believe as truth as blackmail... so be it. However, Jesus stated what He knew and I believe what he knew was the truth.

 

You are absolutely free to do this. And when you come to me and begin to tell me how I am supposed to live I am absolutely free to say something completely vulgar and unimpressive to get you out of my life.

And I assure you, I will.

 

If one is to read the passage in context, they would discover when God states, "I never knew you" and then tells that person to depart from Him, God did not know that person personally. That person never talked to him (prayer) and never ultimately accepted Him into their heart.

Therefore, God knows OF people, but God does not actually know people personally and it is up to the person to make that bond.

 

They hung Jesus on a cross for what He said... if a person says something vulgar to me for telling them what Jesus spoke... I am getting out easy.

 

That is true, but what does that mean. When you ask Christ into your heart to take control of your life , you are giving your will over to Him. Another words,
you will now live your life as God would direct you. In the end, only God knows who is truly born again. Jesus tells us, that many will worship Him with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him. Just saying words without meaning what you have stated, will not cut it in God's eyes. Many will find this out after it is to late.

 

If you read the context of what Christ said, these people were claiming to do things in God's name. They told God what wonderful things they had done on earth. The reason God stated that He never knew them, was because these people were liars. Claiming to do things by the will of God, when their motivation was never centered in God. These people thought God would be impressed with their good works. What they ignored, was the fact that the Bible clearly states that your best works are but filthy rags before the Throne of God. You can't work your way to heaven. And that is why the Bible tells us, that by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified. These people are being judged because they did not seek to know God while they were alive. That is why the Bible tells us, whosoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. And when men answer that call, it requires more than lip service. It requires a true heart.

 

For those that accept the Holy Bible as an accurate source for the story of Sodom & Gomorrah:

During the time of S & G, the world was living during the Fourth Dispensation (Patriarchal); that of the Promise. It was an extension of God's mercy that Abraham was able to extract a possible stay of execution IF the two angels could find ten righteous people in the two cities. It says something of the wickedness of men that such a paltry number could not be found.
The United States is living in the Sixth Dispensation (Ecclesiastical); that of the Age of Grace. It is by God's good grace that both America and Israel have been spared the Judgement of which the OP speaks, and rightfully so. For God is a just god who cannot brook wickedness on the scale of which the OP alludes.
...as in the days of Noah...

Go ahead LynnBrowne, OlderWaterBrother and 'thedope. Let's get your take on this.

- JKHolman