Jesus Comments on Collapse of Tower and Victim's Suffering

Luke 13:1-9 | ~70AD | Luke, as inspired by The Holy Spirit

[Keyes For President]

Luke 13:1-9

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them-- do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' "'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'" (NIV)

[NYCVirago]

About the 5,000 dead, you write: Does that bother you? Every one of those innocent people was going to die sometime anyway.

Glad to feel the warmth and love from the God-fearing Christians in the room.

[NYCVirago]

You didn't address my comments above in post #21, specifically this one:

And if you're Jewish, you're doomed?

I'd like to hear you say it for the record.

[NYCVirago]

Thanks for being a voice of reason on this thread.

[WillRain]

I am sure that the 5,000 families who lost loved ones will be comforted by that notion. As for your comments about sin, there were little children in the buildings and on the plane. What sins did they commit?
When my loved ones whom I knew were in Christ have died, I have been EXTREMELY comforted by the knowledge that they were enjoying the bounties of heaven. I rejoice in the knowledge that I will see then again, and I miss them as one would miss one who has moved away.
Of course, those surviving relatives who, themselves, do not have the hope of christ, cannot take comfort in this fact, but the oppertunity still remains for them to come to faith.

As regards the children, they, too, are in the arms of a loving god at the moment and are blessed beyond measure. they are not accountable for any sin which they are too immature to understand.

But of course, these words mean nothing to one who does not accept the witness of Scripture. I reiterate that it all depends on whether you view the world in the light of God's revealed truth, or in light of your own reasoning. You are free to make that choice for your self, just as each of those who departed this life on Tuesday were. Here's hoping you make the right choice.

[Registered]

Obviously you are asking a baited question so you can simply prance around the forum telling everyone that KFP is a hate-monger. However, I'd like to ask you two questions: (1) Are you Jewish? and (2) If you are, will those outside Judaism be in Heaven and if so how do they get there?

Now, I've asked you some questions, I'd like to get your answers..."for the record" of course.

[BibChr]

Thank you for a more contentful and understandable answer. You must not know Keyes for President, to have so badly misunderstood him and his posting. I'd just ask you to read it again a bit more, I don't know, calmly? He's making a good point, and I think you got him exactly backwards (more later).

And the problem with this "private" business is that it isn't fully Biblical. Yes, we're to have our own private prayer life, as opposed to doing everything for show. But Christian faith was never meant to be "private" (see Mark 8:38; Matthew 28:18-20, among others). And there is such a thing as civic morality, civic righteousness (Proverbs 28:19).

To think that we as a nation can thumb our noses in God's face and have Him shrug it off is to engage in delusion. But KfP's point in quoting Jesus is really to throw us each back into searching our own hearts, I think. Jesus spoke to people who would immediately conclude from a tragedy that the victims brought it on themselves. Jesus said, "You'd better check your own hearts, and repent." That's what KfP is saying in quoting Jesus -- not that these people died as a direct result of personal sins.

Dan

[BibChr]

I don't believe Dan was referring to hunting down and destroying the terrorists as "twitting" God. He was referring to those who scoff at the truth that God judges sin.

Hey, Buggman -- it's me! (c8

KfP has it right, that was my point. And I have made the sword-reference a number of times in talking with folks. That is the appropriate governmental response; but the appropriate national/individual response is heart-searching and repentance.

I just thought you'd be interested in the exchange I was having.

Dan

[NYCVirago]

However, I'd like to ask you two questions: (1) Are you Jewish? and (2) If you are, will those outside Judaism be in Heaven and if so how do they get there?

I'll be happy to answer your questions as soon as Keyes for President answers mine.

[Registered]

Hehehe. I kinda knew I'd get that response from you. Thanks.

[Keyes For President]

And if you're Jewish, you're doomed? I'd like to hear you say it for the record.

If you're Jewish, and you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, and trust in Him alone, you are saved. If not, just like anyone else of any religion or ethnic group you are doomed.

There is no salvation for anyone apart from Christ.

[Keyes For President]

As for your comments about sin, there were little children in the buildings and on the plane. What sins did they commit?

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. --Psalm 51.

[BibChr]

You're called.

Time to answer Registered's question, as you promised.

Dan

[NYCVirago]

If you're Jewish, and you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior, and trust in Him alone, you are saved. If not, just like anyone else of any religion or ethnic group you are doomed. There is no salvation for anyone apart from Christ.

Thanks for putting your statement on the record.

[NYCVirago]

Hehehe. I kinda knew I'd get that response from you. Thanks.

I know you'd like to think I was evading you, but sorry to bust your bubble. Since Keyes for President has answered my question now, I will answer your questions.

1. No, I am not Jewish, but you don't have to be Jewish to be offended by what Keyes for President was saying.

2. To read anything like the hand of God into this tragedy is to say that Bin Laden is doing the work of God. This event is the result of man, not God. As for who will get into heaven, who can say. Fanatics in every religion say that only those who believe in their "one true religion" will make it. Bin Laden's terrorists are just as sure that only their believers will make it into heaven as some Christians are that only their side will make it in.

[Olydawg]

So you are saying unless we repent, God will side with terrorists? That's a pretty warped interpretation of the bible.

[Olydawg]

Yet if we don't repent God will side with Bin Laden?

[Psycho_Bunny]

Shouldn't you be standing on a street corner somewhere with a "The End Is Near" sign strapped to your belly?

[ValerieUSA]

God has heard the humble prayers of the Christians held in Kabul. They pray not for themselves, but for the oppressed people of Afghanistan that they may learn that God loves them and all of us. The Taliban and terrorists are in God's way, and He is calling upon us to remove them. Even as our warriors fight, they are ultimately on a mission of love.

Every human has a common enemy. Some humans are so blind that they serve our enemy who solicits their own will against them and keeps them from accepting eternal life and the one true Almighty Creator God who loves us.
There is a difference between light and darkness, good and evil, righteousness and wrongdoing, truth and lies, faith and fear. Every day each of us makes choices between these options over and over again in our actions and ruling emotions.
Let us be worthy to be servants of the Holy God who calls us. There is no equivalency between false gods and God.

[Sir Gawain]

Nearly Inspired Version, barf.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Thank you for posting this. America could be wiped out by a nuclear bomb and supposedly God wouldn't be sending anyone a message. Shhhhhh. The Word of God should never apply.