Posted on 07/04/2004 9:57:06 PM PDT by Gracey
Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Hebrews 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
In the Christian view the Jesus ushered in the New Covenant, with Jesus being the ultimate substitution sacrifice for our sins. Hebrews 10 also explains the new covenant.
Hebrews 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
But I think part of that prophecy is not fulfilled yet. We still tell each other to know the Lord. Revelations forecasts the 1000 year reign of Christ, during which we will all believe.
Jerimiah 31:33 reminds me of Joel 2
Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; ... 28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. ... 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
That passage is also similar to some passages in Exekiel 36-38
One thing that fascinates me are the scientific truths that are, as-yet, unnoticed within the realm of empirical evidence; truths that are germinated within human minds after being noticed as empirical peculiarities -- noticed peculiarities that give rise to assumptions.
The natural development of scientific discovery is: Empirical evidence leads to assumptions that might lead to more "science."
Scientific progress depends upon assumptions.
science is largely based upon empirical evidence, which your assumptions are not.
One thing that fascinates me are those future scientific truths that are, as-yet, unnoticed within the realm of evidence; those unknown truths that are germinated within human minds after being noticed as peculiarities; those unknown truths that live first as assumptions within individual minds.
The natural process of scientific discovery begins with assumption.
There were no Jews before Abram, and there would be no Gentiles if not for the fact that there are Jews.
Matthew 10:34 - Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Luke 22:36 - Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
Romans 13:4 - For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
There is always a balance.
I agree. I've often wondered how Jews or even Muslims (Yes, there are Muslim Republicans in Texas!! There are even Hindus!!) must feel when statements like this are included in the party platform. It's not necessary. I don't know who is doing this. I am going to question our local member of the Platform Committee about it.
You know, Thomas Paine would probably have published a flaming pamphlet against the current Texas Republican Party. Paine was a strange person in a lot of ways, but he was a great writer and patriot.
This country needs all kinds of people, and we have a secular government. The Republican Party is supposed to be comprised of all kinds of people -- religious and atheist, Christian, Jew and every other religion. I wish fundamentalist Christians would quit trying to turn the Republican Party into a religious organization.
Finally, another poster that makes sense. Thank you Laura Lee. May Repubicans prevail in spite of the "Christians" within the Republican party.
YOUR COMMENT
"Needless to say, this is an interesting dilemma you have brought forward. You see, Christ says to turn the other cheek and to love thy enemy. I don't recall Christ ever saying anything about killing the enemy. Christians here may correct me."
MY ANSWER:
I realize this is from 7/7, but just read it and would like to comment. As a christian who reads the Bible regularly, both old and new testament. I believe there is no contradiction on Jesus comment "turn the other cheek", and God's wrath on those who opposed him in Old Testament...where he commanded killing of everyone (including women and chilren) examples: The Valley of Achor (Joshua's men were being defeated because of stealing of Achor). The taking of Israel and the killing of Hittites, Ammorites, etc.
To be exact, the Bible states about Jesus " I am same yesterday, today and forever", to understand that we must know who Jesus is, he is part of the trinity, God incarnate, so therefore God is same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
It's like ten commandments, Jesus did not come to do away with them, but to redeem us from curse of the law...which was blood sacrifice for sin...he became that sacrifice.
Also, he came to teach us to LOVE God, and one another.
So YES, we should not be hasty to retaliate, we should "turn the other cheek", but it stops there. Luke 6:29, and as we read on further we realize he is trying to show us the way to a happy, fulfilled life. We should not be hasty to be warmongers, however there are God's laws that cannot be given up, such as Love thy God with all thy heart, soul and mind...SO when we cannot pray, have freedom of religion and continue to follow God's commands, then we are threatened in an arena that violates God's command...there shall have no other God's before me. There is a time to turn the other cheek, and there is a time for war....God has never changed his personality, he is loving, he is just, and he is also wrathful. We can know that because we are created in his image. WE are allowed to have righteous indignation although we are not supposed to be angry without a cause.
I believe our War in Iraq is just, because Jesus said "my sheep know my voice and they hear me"...sometimes he wants others liberated too. In the case of 9/11 it was brought to us, we tried to discuss, find alternatives but Sadaam did not cooperate, his time ran out and God is Sovereign...he will act eventually when the cheek has been turned long enough.
I am not trying to correct you, but thought you might want to hear how I see things....I see God as the same as he always was, just wanting us to use a soft approach since Jesus came....
Bump for later read
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