literal... i can't think of any specific examples... but i can think of that one dudes shadow who passed over and healed a person. at least i think thats how the story went. so i figure if a shadow can do it then a hand can do it for sure and the shadow kinda one upped the hand.
Yes, there are snake handlers in the group of believers, so yes, you could say that sign has "followed". Sometimes, they get bitten and sometimes they die, but that wasn't mentioned as part of the sign, so if we're being literal, I'll have to say yep, that's a sign alright!
As for drinking any deadly thing, however, it does say "it shall not hurt them." This sign is on shaky ground, since sometimes those who drink a deadly thing do get sick, and some die. If we are to take this list seriously, we must conclude that the world has not yet seen that group of believers, and recognized them as such by virtue of that sign following them -- unless you know of such a group? Where it's actually true that if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Since we are also commanded to love all men (1 Thess 3:12) including those who curse and persecute us (Matt 5:44), then Jesus cannot be commanding us to love and hate others at the same time but he is using a figure of speech, hyperbole, which is an extravagant statement; the use of exaggerated terms for the purpose of emphasis or heightened effect.
What I said!
Quote:
Those two examples seem far-fetched to me.
Missing a daughter's marriage is extreme, and I don't know of any cases myself, but it happens a lot that a believer feels an obligation to "put Jesus first" and skip some family event. Happened in my own family. But hey, Jesus really is more important than family. Right?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;but
after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having
itching ears:
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be
turned into fables.
I'd say this one's mostly literal. Of course, Paul doesn't think people's ears will literally itch, but simply that they will tend to follow the teachings that make them happy, and ignore the truth. I think he's right, too! Sometimes, we hear what we want to hear.
This reminds me of something I've been pondering: how does one "shop" for a church? Typically, we look for one whose doctrines line up with our own beliefs, don't we? But what if our own beliefs are wrong?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
I recently just did that, shop for a church! I knew what was right but lining it up to the Word of God! You cannot know what is right unless you, yourself read and study the Word of God.. I was raised in another religion and when I grew and seen in the Word things that didnt line up, I sent out to find the truth, and the Truth is in any Bible if you seek it.. So I knew the first church I attended was not in the Truth even though they called themselves by the same name I call myself, Apostolic, by how they believed. Did that makes sense? lol
Also, that scripture I gave you, I think that is exactly where we are today. A lot of preachers have bent the truth to go with the times, like kids sleeping together today, unmarried. It's like accepted in some places because people have told me, that's what they do now a days... but that does not make it right! So they go sit under preachers that dont preach against it knowing they would insult a lot of people in their church and they are more concerned with keeping people in there then preaching the truth, even when it hurts.
Thanks for playing. No, really, not that kind of "thanks for playing", with a "Bzzzzzt" in front of it. Just, thanks!
Moving on.
I think I've written about hindsight before, but I'm too lazy to look for it. (Oh man, that's lazy! All I'd have to do is click on the thread search button and type in hindsight, and voila! Way quicker than typing all this parenthetical nonsense. Anyway, moving on (again). ) Isn't hindsight great? In particular, it's very useful for interpreting prophecies, at least when said prophecies have already been fulfilled.
The Jews thought their Messiah was going to, you know, save them! From the Romans! Set up a kingdom! An actual kingdom kingdom, with a king and subjects n stuff. So when Jesus shows up and sets up a spiritual kingdom (you all know the story), they were taken by surprise. Er, sort of. They actually (most of them) didn't even recognize that this was any kind of fulfillment at all.
Of course, Christians can see (in perfect hindsight) the real meaning of those prophecies. Makes you wonder, though, doesn't it? How will the prophecies yet unfulfilled, with the wide variety of interpretations and expectations, actually turn out? (And which prophecies are yet unfulfilled is another matter! )
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
lol You have a good sense of humor, Timmy...and thank you for being my friend.
I know I have a lot of questions that probably do not mean a thing in the great scheme of things, but I know all the answers are in there (the Bible) if we can understand the meanings. You are right, hindsight is so smart! To be able to understand and apply the answers to our living today is the real challenge.
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