Posted on 03/30/2002 7:53:37 PM PST by malakhi
Terrifying results, nonetheless.
Of course it wasn't mine. But it was within my power to stay on that path. But that's a whole different subject.
Becky
Not just the fact that I was a sinner. You're right, we're all sinners. But not only was I living in serious sin, there was no repentance and I was ignoring God. Not a good thing.
Heaven is a tabernacle. Hebrews 8:5
Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
Confirmed in Revelation 21:2-3
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, THE TABERNACLE OF GOD IS WITH MEN, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Also, the temple is patterned after the tabernacle of Moses. God's presense dwelt in both the tabernacle and the temple. Our bodys are a temple as well and the Holy Spirit dwells in our bodies.
There are 3 different parts of the tabernacle. The outer courts, the holy place and the holy of holies. Could it be that the Bride of Christ dwells in the holy of holies? As I discussed last week perhaps not all Christians are the bride of Christ. Some of us may dwell in the Holy place or in the outer courts.
Anyway I thought this study was interesting. Also studying the pieces of furnture in the tabernacle, both in the outer courts and holy place, and the 2 pieces inside the holy of holies (ark of covenant and mercy seat) can give us additional symbolism of heaven.
Then why are we given the parable of the prodigal son?
Just as surely as the prodigal son put distance between himself and his father, ... he also come back to full fellowship with his father.
Also, note that he was a son during the whole of the parable, ... when he was initially with his father, ... when he was away squandering his inheritance, ... and when he returned to his father.
He didn't think that his father would still see him as a son (for he thought that his sonship was based on his works), but his father never regarded him as anybody other than his son.
His older brother also thought that his wickedness should disqualify him from sonship, but he was wrong too.
Why would I receive such a message if I was in no danger of losing my inheritance?
You may have been in danger of losing your physical life (which would have separated you from your from the company of your wife).
In any case, when we are the Lord's children, He continuously works in our lives to motivate us to more Godly living.
Not just the fact that I was a sinner. You're right, we're all sinners. But not only was I living in serious sin, there was no repentance and I was ignoring God. Not a good thing.
You're right ... not a good thing. You may have on the verge on a severe chastening by the Lord.Hebrews 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
I understand that he came back. But what if he had not? He made the choice to take his inheritance and leave. Of course his father wouldn't disown him and would still consider him his son. But he did give his son the choice to leave ... even risking the fact that he may never return. Yes, we are God's children and always will be, but we are free to leave Him and choose the wrong path.
Perhaps the parable also tells us that, ... though they may stray for a season, ... in the fullness of time, God's children will always come back home.
Heh heh ... not taking a detour, more like getting back on the road after a detour. ;o)
Not that it matters, because I am not the judge, but from your posts I have always thought you probably were a born again believer, and that someday you would come out of the Catholic Church. Just because someone is born again, does not mean they will not make mistakes, but eventually God gets them where they need to be.
Yep, and He's doing just that with me. Not to say I don't have my problems, but I have found a closeness to God I've not felt before coming home to the Catholic Church. Yeah, I've had my share of close moments int he past, but this is different. Can't really explain it. It just seems more complete, for lack of a better word.
Yes ... very good. Thanks, Q. But I let this one comment slip by me and feel that I must address it ...
You may have been in danger of losing your physical life
It was very, very clear to me that this was about spiritual death ... not physical. It was a definite call to repentance which, after that second dream, I jumped all over.
Becky
SO... IF you stray... have fun! Live it up, because you ain't gonna die till after you come home?
Wait a minute ... he may have a point. For example, look at Stevie Ray Vaughn or Sam Kenison. ;o)
al_c, I agree with Becky, I also sense something different in you then in the others, but when you talk to other Catholics in your Church, do you sense that same difference, that same Spirit of God in them?
In other words, have you other Catholic friends that you can have spiritual and meaningful conversations with at your local Church?
We have met people in our church, then after services, gone out to have lunch with them. We talk about our spiritual journey and our relationship with God, and our studyies etc., do Catholics do this also?
<>JH :-)
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