On the surface, it may seem that there's an apparent contradiction going on there – that God could be interested in both natural and spiritual Israel.But the whole point is that natural Israel is going to repent – and thus natural Israelites will be judged on exactly the same criteria as believing gentiles.God wants people to accept Jesus as their…[Read more]

Hi DavidQuote (david @ Mar. 17 2006,06:43)A lot of what you base this on is your belief that these things apply to natural, fleshly Israel. I’m wondering what you think of such scriptures, that speak of the ISRAEL OF GOD?The Bible tells us that not all who spring from fleshly Israel, are really considered the Israel of God. The children of the f…[Read more]

This is an article about Israel – very relevant to the coming Kingdom indeed.http://www.christadelphia.org/pamphlet/israel.htm

Also, I want to remind you that you haven't yet responded to my posts on page 6 of this thread.Scripture is just teeming to the point of overflowing with references to God's love for Israel, and the promises he has made to them. Though in the present they continue to reject Jesus as the Messiah, one day they will repent, and be saved.I've been…[Read more]

Quote (david @ Mar. 08 2006,19:33)Ok, I haven't done a few more pages, but would like to add a couple more scriptures:PHILIPPIANS 3:14“I am pursuing down toward the goal for THE PRIZE OF THE UPWARD CALL of God by means of Christ Jesus.” (Compare Ro 1:7; 8:30; 2 Tim 1:9; Jude 1:1) Which direction are the heavens? The word rendered “he…[Read more]

Hi DavidApologies for leaving this so long. First I went away for a couple of days, and then I started writing up some notes on Israel – then I got a bit carried away and it turned into an essay which was taking a long time to write!Still haven't finished my notes, but I can make some brief comments on your posts in the mean time.Quote (david @…[Read more]

Do you believe the people that go to heaven have physical bodies, or are they just souls? Do you believe that we have immortal souls?What happens to people who are bad in this life?Where do you see people like Abraham, David, Peter, John and Paul etc. fitting into this – will they be in heaven or on earth?What exactly is the state of those people…[Read more]

You can't just tell me in two sentences?

Quote (Sammo @ Mar. 06 2006,01:51)How do you believe characters from the Bible fit into this small number? (144,000 right?) Who exactly will go to heaven?Hi DavidI'm still very interested in your responses to these questions, and briefly how you prove them from scripture – will be a big help for me replying to your posts.ThanksSam

It's talking about his mind (v5) – that fact frames the whole passage. I read this as Jesus emptying himself of pride and self-will to become a servant.

Oh, well, we disagree on that then Happy to discuss anytime.

Quote (Is 1:18 @ Mar. 06 2006,03:41)Hi Sammo,How's the PhD going? I believe the same as you. Funnily enough I recently joined a small Bible study home group, made up exclusively of Anglicans (excluding myself). They immediately identified me as being somene who has studied the Bible more than most and asked me to lead a study on “what the kingdom…[Read more]

Quote (david @ Mar. 06 2006,01:33)(The main point where we differ and what I would like to discuss in this thread, is that I believe Christ and his associate rulers will be in heaven.)I'd appreciate it if you could answer the questions in my last post first, but maybe a good next step would be for you to present the main reasons why you believe…[Read more]

How do you believe characters from the Bible fit into this small number? (144,000 right?) Who exactly will go to heaven?

I should also mention that after the 1000 years will be a second resurrection and judgement – this one for everyone that lived during the 1000 years. After this judgement there will be no more sin and death in the earth – everyone left will be immortal.Thus “the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (1 Cor 15:26).

Quote (david @ Mar. 05 2006,07:08)Please refresh me as to what you believe: You believe no one goes to heaven, but that Christ will come to earth, and the holy ones will judge the world and rule with Christ on earth….is that correct?Hi DavidYip, exactly. I believe that there will be a 1000 year kingdom on earth where Jesus reigns as King from…[Read more]

Quote (OneoftheLordsGenerals @ Mar. 01 2006,20:03)The Trinity has been preached in scripture.I'm afraid this is patently false. 'The trinity has been cobbled together from verses here and there in scripture', would be closer to the mark, and even then mostly in retrospect.Nobody ever preached the trinity in scripture. This remains the most…[Read more]

Language changes over time. Why needlessly offend someone, then make a big deal out of it?Chill out folks!

Well – who does the Catholic Encyclopedia say that 'Babylon' is?Quote St. Peter's First Epistle was written almost undoubtedly from Rome, since the salutation at the end reads: “The church that is in Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you: and so doth my son Mark” (v, 13). Babylon must here be identified with the Roman capital; since…[Read more]

Hi DavidSorry you're unwell – get well soon, and take as much time as you need.Sam