Bold print is added by author Mark Borders, in response to an article on NTEB (Now The End Begins), website at http://www.nowtheendbegins.com/
In 1 Thessalonians 4, we read where Paul says that "we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air". The key phrase here is when Paul say "caught up together". The New Testament was largely written in Greek, and the Greek work that Paul uses in that phrase is the word "harpazo", which means literally "to snatch out", or "to seize". A very apt word to describe how the Lord Jesus will soon pull the believers out of here. After Greek, the Bible was translated into Latin, and that same phrase in Latin uses the word "raptus", or "rapturo", from which we get our English word "rapture". This word is a verb, and denotes action, not simply description.
There is no doubt that believers will be “caught up together”, at some time.
Jesus promises to return for His people, and it's not a secret
You will note that Paul says that Jesus, when He returns to take us out, does not come all the way down to the earth, but rather comes down only as far as the clouds. The world below will not see Jesus at this time, only those believers who are "caught up" in the clouds to be with Him. There will be nothing "secret" about this event as a). it will be apparent to all those not raptured what is happening, and b). The impact and devastation that will be felt by those left behind will be obvious and very immediate. Nothing secret about it, but, those left behind on earth will not see Jesus take us, only the aftermath of that event. Does Jesus say anywhere in the Bible that He will return again for His People?
In this paragraph, lies one of my issues against Pre-Tribulation Rapture, “Jesus said that only God knows the time of His Second Coming”, if believers are “Caught Up”, assuming a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, then everyone left would know the time of the second coming. It’s not like Jesus; once He has His church removed; is going to be sitting around long (7 Years?) waiting for all the destruction to happen, while His Brothers and Sisters; stand idly by and watch while their friends and loved ones who would not believe are tortured and killed. Instead I believe that the believers would feel as I do; Please Lord, leave me here to the very last second, so I may continue the work of bringing people to you, I agree with you Jesus that none should be left behind.
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also." John 14: 1-3
In this paragraph, “and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.”, this says nothing about the destination once he receives us, in fact just the opposite. Wherever Jesus will be, there is where we will be. During this time Jesus will not be in heaven, He is on His way to earth to reclaim it for His Father.
Jesus promises us in His Word that there will come a Day when He will personally return and gather the believers and take them to be with Him in Heaven. So at this point in our study we cross off the list those people who say there will be "no rapture", as Jesus Himself as promised us that He will come from us and take us out. To deny this is to deny the clear, revealed teaching of the Bible. The Bible commands us to wait for His return - "For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, [even] Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." 1 Thessalonians 1:9,10
This paragraph, your conclusion that; “and take them to be with Him in Heaven.” is a wish or desire by believers to be spared from seeing all the things happening around them, believers have lured themselves into believing that God will spare them from this. Did God spare Abraham completely from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah? Why would God spare believers, when their wisdom and teaching could bring more believers into the Kingdom of God? Yes Jesus will deliver us from the wrath of the final destructive battle of Armageddon, not the wrath of the Tribulation Period.
Paul wrote about the Rapture so we would not be ignorant of it
Further along in 1 Thessalonians, Paul addresses a topic that was in much debate even in his day regarding the Rapture. Many people had thought that the Rapture has already happened, and maybe they missed it. They didn't understand the process by which everything would unfold. What would happen to those who had already died before the Rapture? So Paul sets out in chapter 4 of 1 Thessalonians to answer all these questions. Let's break it down bit by bit:“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." 1Thessalonians 4: 13,14
This is only talking about believers who die before the Rapture of believers. Those who are dead (asleep) will be caught up with the believers who are not dead (asleep). In the twinkling of an eye we will be changed, our bodies will become Glorified Bodies. Any defect will be changed to perfection, eyes will be perfect, ears, teeth, bones, all will be perfect, healthy. Praise God, I won't have to wear glasses anymore. Or wake up with my neck throbbing from a accident when I was young. Perfect Glorified Bodies!! Whoo Hoo!!
God through Paul here is telling us that, as believers, we are not left to wonder or guess about the final outcome of those who had already died. God promises that Jesus will bring those people up to Heaven as well. That death is not a cause for sorrow, because we know who holds our future, and that future is certain and secure. Next, he addresses those who will still be alive on earth when Jesus returns.
Now for more truth: You say "Jesus will bring those people UP to Heaven as well." Here is another lie satan wants you to believe, more confusion to get past. Heaven is not UP!! Why do you think we meet him in the air? Where is it that Jesus is going? He's going to earth to bring wrath to the wicked, fight the battle of Armageddon, and rule the earth for 1000 years. Just who do you think he is going to rule over? satan and his followers?? Absolutely not! We the Believers are going to meet Him in the air, for a quick re-uniting with Jesus, our friends and family who went on before, then we all are going to come back to the earth with Jesus. Praise God! He sets up His Kingdom, right here on the new Earth. After Jesus, and us Believers cleanse the Earth. The Holy City will come down out of the Heavens, notice that is plural, and it will establish itself on Earth. This is our Heaven for at least 1000 years. Remember folks, at this point we live for an eternity, right here on Earth, with Jesus as our King, and Ruler. Things on this New Earth continue just like before, but there is perfect peace among all, perfect transactions, perfect everything. No more tears, no more pain, only Happiness and Peace among all us Believers. Thank God, no more corruption, no more lies, no more crime, no more evil. satan and his followers are bound for a time (1000 years), while we believers carry on with the business of the world. Growing food, to add to the manna, catching fish, working, building, everything like the last years before the Tribulation, only much, much better. Don't you want to be there for that???
Now, here comes the Chastisement. You who believed in the Pre-/Mid-Tribulation Rapture, believed the lie of satan, he is a lier, and the truth is not in him. If you also believed Heaven was somewhere UP there, then you are believing in the fairy tell s you tell your children, or the TV Movie the "Wizard of Oz". Folks let me tell you, THAT MOVIE WAS FICTION. Go find the book in a book store and see what section it's in; "Fiction". Grow UP! You should be more adult than that. Instead of telling fictional fairy tells, you should have been reading them the Truth in Bible. "Oh, but it's so scary!!" Well Ohhh noooo. Wow, welcome to the real world. Life and end times is scary, should be scary so people understand what is at stake. Narrow is the path that leads to our Father, and few reach the destination. Wide is the path that leads to destruction, and many who enter there! That was a warning folks. God said this, not this author, God Said It! Now, you want to argue with God about it, then wait till you stand before the Throne of God and you are Judged by all the things you did while on earth. Will you come up lacking? wanting? will you look like evil? are you guilty of something? Why, yes you are guilty of not accepting His Only Begotten Son. The One True Savior of this World. The Human Female Flesh, mated with the Heavenly Father, produced Jesus, the Living Breathing Flesh of Man, who did not ever lie Honesty, always showed Ultimate Compassion, Generously game Himself to pay for our sins which had not even been committed yet. Was beaten, but showed Bravery beyond any of us. Do you think for one minute that if; He wanted to destroy all humans on the earth and start over, do you think He couldn't do it?? Come on, look at all the miracles he performed, if He could raise the dead bodies of others after days, He could have hung on that cross until today and not die. He willing gave up His life for me and you, and your neighbors, family, friends, etc.
The Devil has caused you to believe all these lies about the Bible, he wants you for his follower at that final battle, and would do anything to keep you. God will not interfere like satan, God said he would not destroy the earth again until the Deliver had come. Get right folks, start studying your Bible. Get your life right with God. Join me in Heaven, right here on Good Ole Planet Earth, but New, Refreshed, Healed, just like us.
Now in this article, I was responding to another group called Now The End Begin (NTEB) in facebook. Bold Italics is my writing the other is theirs, not sure who's but you can look for yourself sometime. Also I did not write the books and verses I paraphrased, If you want to make sure what I'm telling you is the truth, look it up yourself. To NTEB: There's been enough people tell you this same thing I'm saying. Maybe you better wake up and find Jesus. Good Lord Folks, all of you, all over the world. If I can get it, just an average person, who can read. Why has so many Bible Teachers, Ministers, Priests, Bishops, Clergy, whatever name you go by these days. Are you going to stand before God and argue with Him too? Shame such shame on what the Roman Catholic Church has failed to do, and shame on you for what you are going to do. The Roman Catholic Church will stand with the anti-Christ and proclaim him savior of the world. Not MY Savior he's not. Get the behind me satan, I bind you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Get yourselves right people or you will spend an eternity in hell. Fire and Brimstone all around you, horrible agony, never sleeping, never eating, never feeling even one moment of relief. An eternity of that. Are you really sure that's what you want? Really?
By: Mark Borders, Southern Baptist Nobody; but a Child of the Risen Lord!!
This article is not and will not be copyrighted, it is offered free to any who need it, anyone wishing to copy it, and use it in anyway; have my permission to do so, I only insist that you change nothing, take nothing out, add nothing in, unless you are sending it to me to point out something you disagree with. And, I'm open to further discussions, but this, and the article by Rory Moore, which is also free to anyone with the same restriction, should be enough to convince any half-witted Church-going, non-Believer of the truth.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
What Time is It Now?
The End Time IS here now. Text in Red Bold is the author of this blog, all others are copied from internet. The below article tells the story.
Heidi Hadsell, president of the Hartford Seminary
Hadsell supports the building of the mosque near the site of the Sept. 11 attacks. Hartford established a groundbreaking Christian-Muslim seminary program in the 1970s and has done some of the most innovative and leading work on Christian-Muslim dialogue. Meanwhile, in nearby Bridgeport, Conn., a similar mosque controversy is developing.
• "I'm afraid that politicians have gotten hold of this and are using it to pander to extreme voices that are really Islamophobic. The real issues get lost in the battle. I think theologically, there is nothing inside of Christianity that would indicate that we are to treat people of other religions with anything but the utmost respect and friendship."
• "Christians need to speak out. My guess is they are speaking out and they are not being heard. The voices that are being heard are the more strident voices."
• "I think it's important for Christians across the country to hear what Christian leaders are saying and not just what right-wing politicians are saying. I think people ... get confused unless their own religious leadership speaks up. The noise isn't coming from religious leaders; it's coming from politicians. In the main part, religious leaders are not attacking this mosque. The main part is politicians who are attacking this mosque hoping for votes.
• "If people would just calm down, it could go forward and in a few years people would see it doing exactly what [the mosque supporters] said it would do."
• "The notion that one serves one's own faith by knocking down another faith is false. One serves one's faith by living up to the ideals of that faith. The ideals of Christianity, like the ideals of Islam and Judaism, are peaceful ideals. They are ideals of constructing peaceful and productive relationships with neighbors. The responsibility is to live up to the ideals of one's religion and not sink to the lowest fears."
there is nothing inside of Christianity that would indicate that we are to treat people of other religions with anything but the utmost respect and friendship."
I beg to differ there Miss, copied below is a compilation of articles freely available on the internet, that’s where I got them. If you don’t know how to find them yourself, you were not taught properly in the first place. I have pity on any that are not aware of the stories and truths in the Holy Bible, the WHOLE thing, not the first 5 books, or just the Old Testament, but the WHOLE HOLY BIBLE.
The writing in the Good Book is a blueprint for how we as humans should live. This has become so evident to me since moving to the Philippines. In a predominantly Roman Catholic Nation, very many of the Christian attitudes, principals, and values that I grew up with in America, are lacking here. There are many who already know this.
Recent events tell clearly what time it is. I could site many, but I’ll focus on just one.
On May 30th this year, a “Freedom Flotilla”, auspiciously carrying humanitarian relief challenged the Blockade of Gaza. Read the story to get the full insight, but let’s say that Israel handled itself with Honor, and the rest of the world is not. Obama wants an investigation into Israel’s handling of the event, when Israel’s display showed Honorable intentions by; Only using non-lethal weapons as primary weapons, after many warnings to the flotilla. After it was over Israel in what can only be frames as a Godly Act of Forgiveness, released everyone. What more do you want? What more can Israel do? Where are the ones that should be coming to Israel’s defense? Do you want another Holocaust Stain on our hands before the Lord?
I’m afraid that one thing is true right now, the End Time is here, and nothing that any of us can do will change that. All of us must dig deep within our souls and bring out compassion for other True Believers, but also for those who are not the descendants of Cain. I remember so well my good father explaining to me as I was growing up. I raised the point at the dinner table one evening, that the famine in Africa was so bad. He proceeded to lecture me about the reasons for that. Those reasons are straight out of the Holy Bible, some which are copied below. But first let’s define who Cain and Able was, so we will know Cain’s descendants. All links are active; only right click them, and open in new tab, unless you want to navigate away from this article.
The entire article is great information, however I take no credit for any of it, other people already made this available, I’ve just collected it here. The most important quick information points are near the begining.
In the Hebrew Bible, Cain and Abel (Hebrew: קין ,הבל, Hevel, Qayin)[1] are two sons of Adam and Eve.
The Qur'an mentions the story calling them The two sons of Adam (Arabic: إبني آدم) only,[2] while the names Qabil (Arabic: قابيل) and Habil (Arabic: هابيل) are used in other sources of Islamic literature.
In the Greek New Testament, Cain is referred to as εκ του πονηρου. [3] In at least one translation this is rendered "from the evil one",[4] while others have "of the evil one."[5] Some interpreters take this to mean that Cain was literally the son of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. A parallel idea can be found in Jewish tradition,[6] that the serpent (Hebrew nahash נחש) from the Garden of Eden was father to firstborn Cain.
In all versions, Cain is a crop farmer and his younger brother Abel is a shepherd.[7] Cain is portrayed as sinful, committing the first murder by killing his brother,[8] after God[9] has rejected his offerings of produce but accepted the animal sacrifices brought by Abel.[10]
The oldest known copy of the Biblical narration is from the 1st century Dead Sea Scrolls.[11][12] Cain and Abel also appear in a number of other texts,[13] and the story is the subject of various interpretations.[14] Abel, the first murder victim, is sometimes seen as the first martyr;[15] while Cain, the first murderer, is sometimes seen as an ancestor of evil.[16]
1Adam knew his wife Eve intimately, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. She said, "I have had a male child with the LORD's help."[31] 2Then she also gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel became a shepherd of a flock, but Cain cultivated the land. 3In the course of time Cain presented some of the land's produce as an offering to the LORD. 4And Abel also presented [an offering][32] — some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions.[33] The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5but He did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he was downcast.[34] 6Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you furious? And why are you downcast?[35] 7If you do right, won't you be accepted? But if you do not do right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must master it." 8Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field."[36] And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
– Genesis 4:1-8 (HCSB
Murder and motive
For convenience, the story can be considered in two sections — 1. murder and motive and 2. confrontation and consequences.Religious sources of the Cain and Abel story can be found in Genesis (950 to 450 BC) in the Hebrew Bible, Sura 5 (Al-Ma'ida) of the Qur'an (early 7th century) and Pearl of Great Price (1851).[30]
[edit] Biblical account (Judaeo-Christian)
The Septuagint has a different verse 7:1Adam knew his wife Eve intimately, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. She said, "I have had a male child with the LORD's help."[31] 2Then she also gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel became a shepherd of a flock, but Cain cultivated the land. 3In the course of time Cain presented some of the land's produce as an offering to the LORD. 4And Abel also presented [an offering][32] — some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions.[33] The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5but He did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he was downcast.[34] 6Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you furious? And why are you downcast?[35] 7If you do right, won't you be accepted? But if you do not do right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must master it." 8Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field."[36] And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Cain leads Abel to death, by James Tissot.
– Genesis 4:1-8 (HCSB)
Hast thou not sinned if thou hast brought it rightly, but not rightly divided it? be still, to thee shall be his submission, and thou shalt rule over him.[37]
[edit] Motives
Though Genesis depicts Cain's motive in killing Abel as simply being one of jealousy concerning God's favor for Abel, this is not the view of many extra-biblical works. The Midrash and the Conflict of Adam and Eve with Satan both record that the real motive involved the desire of women. According to Midrashic tradition, Cain and Abel each had twin sisters, whom they were to marry. The Midrash records that Abel's promised wife was the more beautiful. Cain would not consent to this arrangement. Adam proposed to refer the question to God by means of a sacrifice. God rejected Cain's sacrifice, signifying His disapproval of his marriage with Aclima, and Cain slew his brother in a fit of jealousy.[38][edit] Abel's death
In Christianity, comparisons are sometimes made between the death of Abel and that of Jesus, the former thus seen as being the first martyr: in Matthew 23:35, Jesus speaks of Abel as righteous; and the Epistle to the Hebrews states that The blood of sprinkling ... [speaks] better things than that of Abel (Hebrews 12:24). The blood of Jesus is interpreted as bringing mercy; but that of Abel as demanding vengeance (hence the curse and mark).[39]
Abel is invoked in the litany for the dying in Roman Catholic Church, and his sacrifice is mentioned in the Canon of the Mass with those of Abraham and Melchizedek. The Coptic Church commemorates him with a feast day on December 28.[40]
[edit] Burial
According to the Qur'an, Cain (Kabil) buried Abel (Habil), prompted to do so by a single raven scratching the ground, on God's command. The Qur'an states that upon seeing the raven, Cain regretted his action [al-Ma'idah:27-31], and that rather than being cursed by God, since He hadn't done so before, God chose to create a law against murder:If anyone slew a person – be it for murder or for spreading mischief in the land – it would be as if he slew the whole people; and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.According to Shi'a Muslim belief, Abel is buried in Nabi Habeel Mosque, located west of Damascus, in Syria.
[edit] Underworld
In classical times, as well as more recently, Abel was regarded as the first innocent victim of the power of evil, and hence the first martyr. In the Book of Enoch (at 22:7), the soul of Abel is described as having been appointed as the chief of martyrs, crying for vengeance, for the destruction of the seed of Cain. This view is later repeated in the Testament of Abraham (at A:13 / B:11), where Abel has been raised to the position as the judge of the souls:An awful man sitting upon the throne to judge all creatures, and examining the righteous and the sinners. He being the first to die as martyr, God brought him hither [to the place of judgment in the nether world] to give judgment, while Enoch, the heavenly scribe, stands at his side writing down the sin and the righteousness of each. For God said: I shall not judge you, but each man shall be judged by man. Being descendants of the first man, they shall be judged by his son until the great and glorious appearance of the Lord, when they will be judged by the twelve tribes of Israel, and then the last judgment by the Lord Himself shall be perfect and unchangeable.According to the Coptic Book of Adam and Eve (at 2:1-15), and the Syriac Cave of Treasures, Abel's body, after many days of mourning, was placed in the Cave of Treasures, before which Adam and Eve, and descendants, offered their prayers. In addition, the Sethite line of the Generations of Adam swear by Abel's blood to segregate themselves from the unrighteous.
[edit] Confrontation and consequences
[edit] Bible
9Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?"
Cain, by Henri Vidal, Jardin des Tuileries, Paris
"I know not," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"
10Then He said, "What have you done? Your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground! 11So now you are cursed [with alienation][41] from the ground that opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood you have shed. 12If you work the land, it will never again give you its yield. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth."
13But Cain answered the Lord, "My punishment[42] is too great to bear! 14Since You are banishing me today from the soil, and I must hide myself from Your presence and become a restless wanderer on the earth, whoever finds me will kill me."
15Then the Lord replied to him, "Therefore,[43] whosoever slayeth Cain vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold. "[44] And the Lord set a Mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. 16Then Cain went out from the Lord's presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
– Genesis 4:9-16 (HCSB)
[edit] Qur'an and Sunnah
The story with the motives and the aftermath of the killing is mentioned in Surat Al-Ma'ida Verse 27 - 32[45]:27. Recite to them the truth of the story of the two sons of Adam. Behold! they each presented a sacrifice (to Allah): It was accepted from one, but not from the other. Said the latter: "Be sure I will slay thee." "Surely," said the former, "(Allah) doth accept of the sacrifice of those who are righteous.There is Hadith in Al-Bukari that tells of the consequences Qabil shall take because of slaying his brother:[46]
28. "If thou dost stretch thy hand against me, to slay me, it is not for me to stretch my hand against thee to slay thee: for I do fear Allah, the cherisher of the worlds.
29. "For me, I intend to let thee draw on thyself my sin as well as thine, for thou wilt be among the companions of the fire, and that is the reward of those who do wrong."
30. The (selfish) soul of the other led him to the murder of his brother: he murdered him, and became (himself) one of the lost ones.
31. Then Allah sent a raven, who scratched the ground, to show him how to hide the shame of his brother. "Woe is me!" said he; "Was I not even able to be as this raven, and to hide the shame of my brother?" then he became full of regrets.
32. On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our apostles with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit excesses in the land.
Narrated by Sufian Athaouri, from Al-A'amash, from Abdullah ibn Murrah, from Masrouq, from Abdullah ibn Mas'oud, that Mohammad said: "No human being is killed unjustly, but a part of responsibility for the crime is laid on the first son of Adam who invented the tradition of killing (murdering) on the earth."
[edit] Mark of Cain
Main article: Curse and mark of Cain
Much has been written about the curse of Cain, and associated mark. The word translated as mark ('Oth, אות) could mean a sign, omen, warning, or remembrance.[47] In the Bible, the same word is used to describe the stars as signs or omens,[48] circumcision as a token of God's covenant with Abraham,[49] and the signs performed by Moses before Pharaoh.[50]
The word Ot (hard t) in Hebrew also means "a letter" (of the alphabet). Jewish mysticism, among other ancient lores, assigns spiritual ideas or powers to written letters and verses. The Mark of Cain may be a letter, a verse, a message, or a talisman.
The Bible makes reference on several occasions to Kenites, who, in the Hebrew, are referred to as Qayin, i.e. in a highly cognate manner to Cain (Qayin). Some therefore believe that the Mark of Cain referred originally to some very identifying mark of the Kenite tribe, such as red hair, or a ritual tattoo of some kind, which was transferred to Cain as the tribe's eponym. The mark is said to afford Cain some form of protection, in that harming Cain involved the harm being returned sevenfold. This is hence seen as some sort of protection that membership of the tribe offered, in a form such as the entire tribe attacking an individual who harms just one of their number.
Baptist[citation needed] and Catholic[citation needed] groups both consider the idea of God cursing an individual to be out of character, and hence take a different stance. Catholics officially view the curse being brought through the ground itself refusing to yield to, not being in harmony with, Cain[citation needed], whereas some Baptists view the curse as Cain's own aggression, something already present that God merely pointed out rather than added. There are several theories; in the Catholic world one example has been put forth that rather this mark is one of grace, and that perhaps the mark of is that of Abel's blood,[51] by which God is saying, "This man is still mine. Vengeance is mine. I will repay. Hands off!" As the heart of God is always ready to show mercy. This view supports Abel as a Christ figure in paralleling Christ’s sacrifice; here a blood sacrifice which acknowledges guilt and counting himself as guilty seeks atonement (this is in contrast to Cain's sacrifice)[52]
In Judaism, the mark is not a punishment but a sign of God's mercy. When Cain was sentenced to be a wanderer he did not dispute the punishment but only begged that the terms of his sentence be altered slightly[citation needed], protesting "Whoever meets me will kill me!" For unspecified reasons, God agrees to this request. He puts the mark on Cain as a sign to others that Cain should not be killed until he has had seven generations of children. Lamech, Cain's descendant, refers poetically to the "mark of Cain" in Genesis 4:19-24, in a passage which has been subject to several interpretations.
[edit] Wanderer
As Abel's murderer, Cain was commanded to wander the earth in punishment, a tradition arose that this punishment was to be forever, in a similar manner to the (much later) legends of the Flying Dutchman or the Wandering Jew. According to some Islamic sources, such as al-Tabari, Ibn Kathir and al-Tha'labi, he migrated to Yemen. |
| Cain flying before Jehovah's Curse |
Despite these later traditional beliefs of perpetual wandering, according to the earlier Book of Jubilees (chapter 4) Cain settled down, marrying his sister, Awan, resulting in his first son, Enoch (considered to be different from the more famous Enoch), approximately 196 years after the creation of Adam. Cain then established the first city, naming it after his son, built a house, and lived there until it collapsed on him, killing him in the same year that Adam died.
A medieval legend used to say that at the end, Cain arrived at the Moon, where he eternally settled with a bundle of twigs. This was originated by popular fantasy interpreting the shadows on the Moon face. An example of this belief can be found in Dante Alighieri's Inferno (XX, 126[57]) where the expression "Cain and the twigs" is used as a synonym of "moon".
[edit] Legacy and symbolism
 | ||||||||
| 15th century depiction of Cain and Abel |
Another view is taken in Latter-day Saint theology, where Cain is considered to be the quintessential Son of Perdition, the father of secret combinations (i.e. secret societies and organized crime), as well as the first to hold the title Master Mahan meaning master of [the] great secret, that [he] may murder and get gain.[citation needed]
The treatise on Christian Hermeticism, Meditations on the Tarot: A journey into Christian Hermeticism, describes the Biblical account of Cain and Abel as a myth, ie. it expresses, in a form narrated for a particular case, an "eternal" idea. It shows us how brothers can become mortal enemies through the very fact that they worship the same God in the same way. According to the author, the source of religious wars is revealed. It is not the difference in dogma or ritual which is the cause, but the "pretention to equality" or "the negation of hierarchy".[59]
[edit] Literature
As the first murderer and first murder victim, Cain and Abel have often formed the basis of tragic drama. Lord Byron rewrote and dramatized the story in the poem "Cain", viewing Cain as symbolic of a sanguinary temperament, provoked by Abel's hypocrisy and sanctimony.[58] In Dante's Purgatory Cain is remembered by the souls in Purgatory in Canto XIV (14) on page 153, verse 133 saying "I shall be slain by all who find me!", Cain is facing the punishment that God has visited upon him for the sin of Envy, which is a similar play on the words in Genesis 4:13-14 where he says, "I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." John Steinbeck's novel East of Eden retells the Cain and Abel story in the setting of the late 19th and early 20th century western migration towards California. Also, his novelette Of Mice and Men draws elements from the story. Baudelaire is more sympathetic to Cain in his poem "Abel et Caïn" in the collection Les Fleurs du mal, where he depicts Cain as representing all the downtrodden people of the world. The poem's last lines exhort, "Race de Caïn, au ciel monte/Et sur la terre jette Dieu!" (In English: "Race of Cain, storm up the sky / And cast God down to Earth!") Miguel de Unamuno's Abel Sánchez (1917) is a study on envy. Abel receives everything undeservingly, while his friend Joaquín is despised by God and society and envies him. In Thornton Wilder's play The Skin Of Our Teeth (1942), it is stated that Henry Antrobus' real name is Cain and he accidentally killed is brother Abel with a stone. Kane and Abel is a modern adaptation, a 1979 novel by British author Jeffrey Archer. In 1985, it was made into a CBS television miniseries titled Kane & Abel, starring Peter Strauss as Rosnovski and Sam Neill as Kane. In A Time For Everything (2004) by Karl Ove Knausgård, the story of Cain and Abel is retold with a focus on Cain - an introvert and troubled man who gets the reader's sympathy. In this version, God's favouring of Abel is simultaneously a curse for sneaking into Eden past the Cherubs guarding the gate. It is suggested that Abel in fact wants Cain to kill him, or at least this is what Cain believes - though he later regrets his act, and takes his punishment willingly.Hermann Hesse briefly discussed the story of Cain and Abel from a non-orthodox point of view in his novel Demian where he also referred to the gnostic group called the Cainites. In Ishmael, Daniel Quinn puts forth the idea of the story of Cain and Abel being an allegory describing the conflict between agricultural and pastoral peoples in the Fertile Crescent.
The author of Dracula, Bram Stoker, revisits the biblical tragedy in his story "The return of Abel Behena" about a fraternal friendship gone awry.
Some form of legacy or curse of the name is often seen in literature: the monster Grendel in Beowulf is a descendant of Cain. In the epilogue to Agatha Christie's novel And Then There Were None, the author refers to the Mark of Cain in laying out the clues. There is a Stephen King short story titled Cain Rose Up, in which a college student goes on a killing spree while ruminating on the story of Cain and Abel. In the DC Comics (Vertigo division) universe, Cain and Abel are a pair of fictional characters based on the Biblical Cain and Abel, in Neil Gaiman's Sandman series. In the series, Cain is constantly killing off his brother, despite the fact they are both immortals.
Cain was traditionally considered to have red hair; the expression "Cain-coloured beard" is used in Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor.[58] In addition, Shakespeare also references Cain and Abel in Act III Scene iii of Hamlet when Claudius says, "It hath the primal eldest curse upon't/ A brother's murder!" (Lines 40-41).
Their names are often used in works of fiction simply as a reference, also. In Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett, the character of Estragon tries to guess the names of two other characters. He guesses Abel and Cain. One of Jason Bourne's many names in The Bourne Identity and its sequels was Cain, an operative name in the Treadstone 71 program.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
It's the Corruption Stupid!
What Would Jesus Do, or say right now, about the way you treat your young people?
Sometimes people hit a nerve with me or push my buttons. I've made a comment elsewhere about the Congressman ordering the School to forbid homework on the weekends. That was a foolish enough idea, but fighting the President on adding extra years to the school system is illogical, immoral, and down right stupid. Below is a comment from the Presidents Kuro-Kuro site and my rebuttal.
etchell cuaycong on October 9, 2010 at 9:02 pm
adding more years to the education system. will not uprade the education. The quality of education of the philippines is already World Class. So it doesnt need changing. making the medium of education in english will make it better to compete to the world…. But adding years will just burden the over burdened and poor families and parents. ang hirap na nga lalo pang pahirapan…pwede ba? [sic]
Mark and Merejen on October 9, 2010 at 11:14 pm
@etchell – You are almost right, the minds of your young people are World Class. Many of my wife’s friends attend college and talk with us all the time. I see how eager and intelligent your young people are, and I just cringe at the thought that they are only afforded 10 years of education at the expense of the State,. When in fact not only should the State provide free education for 12 years, I personally believe it should be 14. Those extra 2 years would be college preparatory or actually the first 2 years of a college program. Now I know what everyone is thinking, how can the State afford to do this, and how can the parents afford to support their children these extra years. If anyone thinks that there are not smart enough accountants and budget analyst to figure that out then you have been living on a different plant these last few years. There are always answers many of which have been used for generations around the world. This is not that hard.
Yes, any change of this magnitude will take a lot of adjustment, but is anyone willing to tell me that the children of the Philippines are not worth it? What about how all you guys talk about how family is so important, I’ve heard it told that family is the only thing that matters. Really???? What about your children? Are they not part of your families?? My Lord, what kind of examples are you trying to set???
Mark and Merejen on October 9, 2010 at 11:27 pm
And, I can even tell you where the money will come from. My Lord, it is so very simple my friends.
First, stop corruption immediately, that alone will put untold millions of pesos into the education system. Make certain that school officials are honest and that the honest ones do not have to pay out illegal SOP’s to contractors to get work and building accomplished. My Goodness how much do you think that will save?
Second, show the world that the Philippines is making true, lasting, democratic reforms making it easier to do business here. Companies around the world will start pouring in, wanting to get their share of an economic recovery. Oh how simple it all is, if only, if only. Each and every citizen would start today, taking responsibility for your actions, for your children, for you Family, and for your Nation.
I could go on and on, trying to explain the steps to economic recovery, but surly you get my point.
It’s the Corruption Stupid
Mark and Merejen on October 9, 2010 at 11:39 pm
One has to question the family values of a society who wants so desperately to put your young people at a disadvantage. One has to wonder about the RH bill in earnest, if you take this obvious lack of family values into consideration.
If you care nothing about your children, and wish them to grow up struggling through life what kind of person does that make you? I guess you would even be ok with them, oh let’s say at 12 or 13 years old, go off and fight a Jihad.
Is that what you want the world to see really? I will tell all of you this, the Lord is looking down on you right now and shaking His Head and weeping.
Mark and Merejen on October 10, 2010 at 12:31 am
But you say; how do we stop corruption? So very simple my friends, so simple. The President and his communication team contacts all; TV stations, Radio Stations, Newspapers, Magazines, Online News agencies and orders them to announce a public broadcast every hour that says; Any citizen witnessing corruption of any kind, or at any place, please send us a text message to cell number so and so, or if you have access to the internet contact us at email address so and so. Only together as a Nation can we put an end to these Childish Terroristic Threats of Corruption in our Country.
.
Now how would you like to be a corrupt official, police officer, teacher, whatever, knowing that everyone was going to be watching you? Watching over your shoulder as you try to pocket some SOP.
Jesus loved children, below is a list from the Christian website Ministry-To-Children.com
Children Are A Gift From God Bible Verses
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.(Psalms 127:3-5 ESV)
And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”
(Genesis 33:5 ESV)
He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!
(Psalms 113:9 Holy Bible ESV)
Children Can Be Saved By God Bible Verses
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.(2 Timothy 3:14-15 Holy Bible ESV)
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
(2 Timothy 1:5 ESV)
Children Can Praise and Worship God Bible Verses
But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”(Matthew 21:15-16 ESV)
Out of the mouth of babes and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.
(Psalms 8:2 ESV)
Children Are Examples Of Humble Faith In Jesus Bible Verses
And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
(Matthew 18:2-6 ESV)
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
(Matthew 18:10 ESV)
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation– if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
(1 Peter 2:2-3 ESV)
Jesus Has A Passion That No Child Be Lost Bible Verses
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.(Matthew 18:12-14 ESV)
Bible Verses About Jesus Blessed The Children
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.(Mark 10:13-16 ESV)
Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
(Luke 18:15-17 ESV)
Discipline and Child Training Bible Verses
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.(Proverbs 22:6 ESV)
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
(Proverbs 22:15 ESV)
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
(Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV)
Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.
(Leviticus 19:3 ESV)
My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.
(Proverbs 6:20 ESV)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
(Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV)
Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
(Proverbs 29:17 ESV)
Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
(Hebrews 12:9-11 ESV)
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
(Ephesians 6:4 ESV)
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
(Exodus 20:12 ESV)
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.
(Proverbs 17:6 ESV)
“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.
(Leviticus 19:32 ESV)
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
(1 Peter 5:5 ESV)
Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
(Proverbs 29:17 ESV)
Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.
(Proverbs 1:8-9 ESV)
(Jesus) went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
(Luke 2:51-52 ESV)
Bible Verses About Children Who Were Made Kings By God
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father; and he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of David his father, and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, and the carved and the metal images.(2 Chronicles 34:1-3 ESV)
More Bible Scriptures Verses That Mention Children
Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.(1 Corinthians 14:20 ESV)
“And I said to their children in the wilderness, Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, nor keep their rules, nor defile yourselves with their idols.
(Ezekiel 20:18 ESV)
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;
(Ecclesiastes 12:1 ESV)
My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, for disaster from them will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?
(Proverbs 24:21-22 ESV)
When all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place that he will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.”
(Deuteronomy 31:11-13 ESV)
“And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the LORD your God has driven you, and return to the LORD your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you.
(Deuteronomy 30:1-3 ESV)
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
(1 Timothy 5:4 ESV)
May the LORD give you increase, you and your children!
(Psalms 115:14 ESV)
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
(Galatians 4:1-5 ESV)
You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
(Exodus 20:5-6 ESV)
“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children–
(Deuteronomy 4:9 ESV)
You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
(Deuteronomy 11:19 ESV)
So the water has been healed to this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke. He went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys.
(2 Kings 2:22-24 Holy Bible ESV)
“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
(Matthew 11:16-17 Holy Bible ESV)The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.”
(Isaiah 11:6 ESV)
I hope these children Bible verses were encouraging and inspiration. Perhaps you’ve already used some of these for Bible memory. These are some of the most famous Bible quotes.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Get Thee Behind me satan!!!
Below is my response to an article in Kuro-Kuro from a heathen muslim entitled:“ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ON ENVIRONMENT VIZ-A-VIZ MINDANAO NATURAL RESOURCES”
Ernesto T. Santa Cruz, you demonic minion of satan; you may have many fooled, but you do not fool this man of God. You and your kind are on the losing side, and you don't even realize it yet. My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will rebuke you. You are destined for the fiery pit of hell, and damnation is what awaits you for an eternity. Your only chance, which not one of you will take, is to humble yourself before the Lord God Almighty and ask His forgiveness.
You and your lying, murdering, prophet; have worked hand in hand with satan to take over this world with your Holy War, but you are destined to fail, and when you do there will be no second chances, your future is written in the Book of Revelations where this time would come to pass. You think you have invaded enough of the world that you are superior, but your weaknesses will bring you down.
You and your kind are a disgrace to the human race. Your despicable prohet, muhammad ibn ‘abdullāh was a liar, murderer, and molested woman and probably children. He was cast out of his place of birth for promoting unGodly beliefs, came back after building an army of fools, and destroyed the entire city out of revenge. The One True God, would never condone revenge therefore whatever you call your god, his real name is satan.
There are enough good Christians in this world to stand against all of you, but remember; we have the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on our side. Our robes will be washed white as snow and we will dwell with our Heavenly Father forever and ever. At the most you get to make you noises for 7 years, then the end comes, and you will be defeated in the mighty battle of Armageddon. You and your god satan, with the anti-christ will be cast down into the fires of hell; where you will feel, and live the torment you so much deserve. Remember who you fight, satan remembers him well, you are going against Father God, Jesus Christ, all the Archangels, the other Angels, and His One True Church. You will fight against the likes of me, a person who will not stop, will not rest, until all you heathen are destroyed.
Get thee behind me satan, in the Name of our Lord Savior, Jesus Christ I BIND you and your minions from any harm against Good, Honest, Christians. I CALL down 10,000 Angels to surround and protect each one of us. We stand firmly on Your Side Oh Lord, we commit ourselves to Your Glory and your Loving Kindness.
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