Praxeas, did you notice that there was a question mark at the end of my sarcastic "Don't you get it"?
But, yes, I do think it's wrong to try to hinder Bible prophecy. Fighting against Bible prophecy is to fight against God! What we as the Church are to concern ourselves with is only one thing: communicating to the world the message God sent us here as ambassadors to communicate - the message "be reconciled to God."
Ah, sorry. I don't think anyone tries to hinder bible prophecy. I think rather they are doing what the bible says to do, occupy till I come. YOu can't fight against bible prophecy anyways. If God wants it to happen it will happen
The problem with what you're saying is that as Christians WE DON'T HAVE A NATION IN THIS WICKED WORLD!!!!!!!!!! Our "nation" is the kingdom of Heaven.
That is beside the point. As Christians our commission is to spread the truth to the world. Why would I, as a Christian, want to allow anything to happen that would hinder that?
This kind of stuff can't be blamed on what America does. Islam has been taking over nations and spreading Islam by blood and politics LONG before there was an America and they often RELY on those nations falling asleep before doing so. Look at Lebanon! Look at the Philipines. Look at Great Britain and France. They have a tiger by it's tail and have no idea what to do because they can't, in their view, kick the muslims out.
Every American. Every Christian. Every non-Muslim around the world, even China, needs to read this and wakeup. This will happen in your nation. It has nothing to do with foreign policy. It has to do with what Islam is about.
Ah, sorry. I don't think anyone tries to hinder bible prophecy. I think rather they are doing what the bible says to do, occupy till I come. YOu can't fight against bible prophecy anyways. If God wants it to happen it will happen
But does "occupy" mean to get entangled in politics trying to influence legislation, trying to make the world a more comfortable place for Christians to live and other such things? Or does it mean something else? Here's the passage (Luke 19:13) in context:
"11And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
12He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
13And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
14But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
15And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
16Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
18And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
20And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
21For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
22And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
23Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
24And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
25(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
26For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me."
That is beside the point. As Christians our commission is to spread the truth to the world. Why would I, as a Christian, want to allow anything to happen that would hinder that?
No, it's the entire point! Too many Christians are trying to make this present world a comfortable place for Christians to live INSTEAD OF going into all the world to make disciples.
Besides, if you look at Church history, the Church has always fallen into corruption and false doctrine whenever it has been put in a position of liberty and having the blessing of the State.
But does "occupy" mean to get entangled in politics trying to influence legislation, trying to make the world a more comfortable place for Christians to live and other such things?
We are to influence EVERYONE, including politicians. Paul preached to kings. The great commission is to preach the gospel to the world and it is logical that we would use any means to do that. If that means changing governments then so be it. Are we not to render aid to our brothers and sisters around the world who are in harms way? Where does the bible say that excludes voting or petitioning a congressman not to vote one way or to vote another?
Quote:
Or does it mean something else? Here's the passage (Luke 19:13) in context:
"11And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
12He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
13And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
14But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
15And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
16Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
18And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
20And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
21For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
22And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
23Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
24And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
25(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
26For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me."
It means they were to continue to work for him. Even Paul used the fact that he was a Roman citizen to his advantage.
No, it's the entire point! Too many Christians are trying to make this present world a comfortable place for Christians to live INSTEAD OF going into all the world to make disciples.
Besides, if you look at Church history, the Church has always fallen into corruption and false doctrine whenever it has been put in a position of liberty and having the blessing of the State.
I don't see anyone here talking about comfort. We are talking about OPEN DOORS. And we have been placed in a nation where we have that ability to spread the truth even more. We send missionaries preaching the truth to every nation more than any other nation because of the freedoms and wealth we enjoy. It would be a serious tragedy to actively let that slip away. That is carelessness.
Second, nobody is asking for a special blessing for the church. We are trying to prevent the state from hindering the church even more.
Those instances you are referring to are examples of state sanctioned churches and direct interference as well as where the church and state were NOT separate. That is completely different from what we are discussing
Linear Mode
