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05/31/24 07:10 PM
So what is this wrong doctrine concerning "spirits"? Where did it come from?
The implications of "psukhe";, meaning "spirit" or "life" has long fascinated humanity. People studying ancient Greek's philosophy to see how they related to concepts of "spirit" and "life", can see an evolving tapestry of thought leading to this idea, that the "psukhe" or spirit does not die but lives even when separated from the body.
Those ideas surrounding the spirit/soul emerged from ancient Greek thought and they played a huge influential role on future development of thought within the realm of Christianity and Western European philosophy. To this day the legacy of the Greek understanding of the "psukhe" persists, shaping the people's beliefs on this subject. Greek philosophy has shaped the existing beliefs we find in most Christian (and other) religions.
It's the Idea that the "psukhe" lives on, and is still "you" somehow, on its own, away from the body.
This of course, opens the door for any spiritualistic being (Satan's evil spirits, are fallen angels, who follow satan, they are not satan himself) to pretend to be a departed loved one's "spirit".
But there's another belief that is being promoted that seems to come from this same Greek philosophy:
The reasoning goes something like this:
--A person has a "spirit" the Bible calls it "his spirit", that is, the person's spirit. Thus it is an integral part of that person. Yet, that coupled with the Greek philosophy is then understood that our spirit can leave the body and continue an existence that is still you.
From that it is claimed that when the Bible calls the Holy Spirit, God's Spirit, or Christ's spirit they claim it means the Holy Spirit is actually Christ, it's His Spirit in the same sense as we have "a spirit".
But the reasoning has a huge major problem. It depends on the Greek philosophy that claims a "spirit" is alive and fully functioning when apart or separated from Person it belongs to --
A philosophy which we reject.
We believe the person's "psukhe" or spirit has NO abilities to do anything when the person is dead. The human spirit cannot function outside the host (body).
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05/30/24 12:46 PM
Do you think this is positioning a situation where a so-called "savior" will step in?
Daniel 11:41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown:
If it gets to the point that no one can stop it, then it opens the door so to speak..
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05/30/24 12:44 PM
We call these messages "present truth" that also should be preached much more often than they are in our local churches. I am amazed at the many 'dead' sermons we hear today in our churchs about doing good works or good deeds or being good citizens or worse the 'social justice' kind, not the gospel to say the least and nothing to do with Christ..
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05/29/24 03:23 PM
Of course, it's hard to understand just what God is in the inner reality of God. If we could grasp it we would be God. Which we definitely are not. God operates in a whole different dimension from us finite humans. We try to understand by imagining God operates in the human dimension, and impose on Him our limitations, only to realize that doesn't fit. God has given us enough knowledge to understand important truths about His character, His purposes, His love, and that's what we need to focus on. "Those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever;" but "the secret things belong unto the Lord our God." Deuteronomy 29:29. The revelation of Himself that God has given in His word is for our study. This we may seek to understand. But beyond this we are not to penetrate. The highest intellect may tax itself until it is wearied out in conjectures regarding the nature of God; but the effort will be fruitless. This problem has not been given us to solve. No human mind can comprehend God. Let not finite man attempt to interpret Him. Let none indulge in speculation regarding His nature. Here silence is eloquence. The Omniscient One is above discussion. {8T 279.1}
Even the angels were not permitted to share the counsels between the Father and the Son when the plan of salvation was laid. Those human beings who seek to intrude into the secrets of the Most High show their ignorance of spiritual and eternal things. Far better might they, while mercy's voice is still heard, humble themselves in the dust and plead with God to teach them His ways. {8T 279.2}
We are as ignorant of God as little children, but as little children we may love and obey Him. Instead of speculating in regard to His nature or His prerogatives, let us give heed to the word He has spoken: "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10.
"Canst thou by searching find out God?
Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do?
Deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
The measure thereof is longer than the earth,
And broader than the sea." Job 11:7-9 Man cannot by searching find out God. Let none seek with presumptuous hand to lift the veil that conceals His glory. "Unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" Romans 11:33. It is a proof of His mercy that there is the hiding of His power; for to lift the veil that conceals the divine presence is death. No mortal mind can penetrate the secrecy in which the Mighty One dwells and works.
Only that which He sees fit to reveal can we comprehend of Him. Reason must acknowledge an authority superior to itself. Heart and intellect must bow to the great I AM. {8T 285.2}
Christ's Revelation of God
All that man needs to know or can know of God has been revealed in the life and character of His Son. {8T 286.1}
"No man hath seen God at any time; the only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him." John 1:18. {8T 286.2}
Taking humanity upon Him, Christ came to be one with humanity and at the same time to reveal our heavenly Father to sinful human beings.
"Who, being in the form of God, counted it not a thing to be grasped to be on an equality with God, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross." Philippians 2:6-8, R. V., margin. {8T 287.3}
Here are infinite wisdom, infinite love, infinite justice, infinite mercy--"the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God." Romans 11:33. |
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05/29/24 11:33 AM
"I will pray the Father," Jesus said, "and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." John 14:16, 17. The Saviour was pointing forward to the time when the Holy Spirit should come to do a mighty work as His representative. (AA 48) The ONLY member of the Godhead that any human eyes have seen is Jesus. "Not that any man has seen the Father, save he which is from God, he has seen the Father." John 6:46 " Ye have neither heard his (God the Father's) voice at any time, nor seen his shape. John 5:37 "Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. John 8:19. No one has seen the Holy Spirit. Therefore many don't think He exists. But Jesus explained that we see evidence of His works. John 3. The world doesn't receive the Holy Spirit because they can't see Him, so they dismiss Him. But Christ's followers know the Holy Spirit exists because they experience His indwelling presence. It is not essential for us to be able to define just what the Holy Spirit is. Christ tells us that the Spirit is the Comforter, "the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father." It is plainly declared regarding the Holy Spirit that, in His work of guiding men into all truth, "He shall not speak of Himself." John 15:26; 16:13.
The office of the Holy Spirit is distinctly specified in the words of Christ: "When He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." John 16:8. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin. If the sinner responds to the quickening influence of the Spirit, he will be brought to repentance and aroused to the importance of obeying the divine requirements. {AA 52.2}
To the repentant sinner, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, the Holy Spirit reveals the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. "He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you," Christ said. "He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 16:14; 14:26. {AA 52.3} The Holy Spirit does not speak of Himself -- He is not promoting Himself, He comes to reveal Christ. Christ also, mentioned that He, Christ does not speak by Himself, but reveals the Father. Thus we see the unity, yet individuality, of the three living persons of the Godhead working in perfect agreement and purpose to reveal the things of God to us struggling humans. " The three powers of the Godhead, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are pledged to be their strength and their efficiency in their (baptized believers) new life in Christ Jesus. {AUCR, October 7, 1907 par. 9} Still, its a hard thing to grasp..
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05/28/24 05:32 PM
John 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
6:16 And when even was come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
6:17 And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
From Desire of Ages:
"In their enthusiasm the people are ready at once to crown Him king....They eagerly arrange to carry out their purpose; but Jesus sees what is on foot, and understands, as they cannot, what would be the result of such a movement. Even now the priests and rulers are hunting His life...Violence and insurrection would follow an effort to place Him on the throne, and the work of the spiritual kingdom would be hindered. Without delay the movement must be checked. Calling His disciples, Jesus bids them take the boat and return at once to Capernaum, leaving Him to dismiss the people. {DA 378.2}
Never before had a command from Christ seemed so impossible of fulfillment. The disciples had long hoped for a popular movement to place Jesus on the throne; they could not endure the thought that all this enthusiasm should come to nothing. The multitudes that were assembling to keep the Passover were anxious to see the new prophet. To His followers this seemed the golden opportunity to establish their beloved Master on the throne of Israel. In the glow of this new ambition it was hard for them to go away by themselves, and leave Jesus alone upon that desolate shore. They protested against the arrangement; but Jesus now spoke with an authority He had never before assumed toward them. They knew that further opposition on their part would be useless, and in silence they turned toward the sea. {DA 378.3}
Jesus now commands the multitude to disperse; and His manner is so decisive that they dare not disobey. The words of praise and exaltation die on their lips. In the very act of advancing to seize Him their steps are stayed, and the glad, eager look fades from their countenances. In that throng are men of strong mind and firm determination; but the kingly bearing of Jesus, and His few quiet words of command, quell the tumult, and frustrate their designs. They recognize in Him a power above all earthly authority, and without a question they submit. {DA 378.4}
When left alone, Jesus "went up into a mountain apart to pray." For hours He continued pleading with God. Not for Himself but for men were those prayers. He prayed for power to reveal to men the divine character of His mission, that Satan might not blind their understanding and pervert their judgment. The Saviour knew that His days of personal ministry on earth were nearly ended, and that few would receive Him as their Redeemer. In travail and conflict of soul He prayed for His disciples... It was painful to Jesus that their conceptions of His kingdom were, to so great a degree, limited to worldly aggrandizement and honor. For them the burden was heavy upon His heart, and He poured out His supplications with bitter agony and tears. {DA 379.1}
The disciples had not put off immediately from the land, as Jesus directed them. They waited for a time, hoping that He would come to
them. But as they saw that darkness was fast gathering, they "entered into a ship" {DA 379)
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