The blunt truth can often offend, but anything which offends is not automatically the truth. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve heard Christians say “Haha! I got a reaction, I must have been right or they wouldn’t have been so offended”, when in fact, what they said was perhaps nothing more than insulting and meaningless drivel.
If you are a Christian this thread will mean little. You will already be going to heaven. It is the non - Christian whom I am talking to. If they have no clue what has happened, after the people of God leave this earth, then how will they defend themselves. God has said Satan will come to this earth. He will deceive many. It is those billions of people that this thread is for. You seem to be more worried for those Christians I offend who are already going to heaven while not caring at all about the billions of others who do not understand. It is really troubling to me that so- called Christians are my worst critics…
Once again, Aldebaran, you display that remarkable self-control & basic decency that I have found so very impressive since you began posting here.
We have not , we cannot, and we shall not always agree–but you have my respect, and, in this thread at least, my admiration.
Perhaps god is trying to tell you something…
If the Christians are only ‘so-called’ Christians, doesn’t that mean that you think they aren’t actually Christians and that you should be concerned about offending them. (and anyway, I seem to recall exhortations about causing your brother to stumble).
Siege is the most Christ-like Christian I have ever met online
Keep this in perspective, ephraim. You didn’t start this as a “get-yourself-saved” witnessing thread. You started it to expound an interpretation of End Times prophecy that not only was calculated to offend Muslims and Arabs everywhere, but is so stupid, evil and paranoid it would have made Jack Chick roll his eyes! Arafat and Abu Mazen as Antichrist and False Prophet, indeed!
Ephraim, I gather you believe non-Christians are doomed to hell, however you happen to define hell. I do not. I won’t go into the reasons for that here; we’ve had a few threads on the subject here in Great Debates if you want to look for them. The thing is, in real life, I know non-Christians and former Christians. I also know why I am Christian and, perhaps as important, what could drive me away from Christianity. Posts like yours are in the latter category. I’m not more worried about those Christians you offend; I’m worried about the non-Christians who will be turned away from the faith I love because of the words of people like you.
My Christian faith probably is the most important thing in my life. It is a source of beauty, warmth, love, comfort, and Truth. It strengthens and sustains me and has done so even when nothing else has. To see someone paint the sort of distorted, and I will say even evil picture of it that you have done here is something which Christ and comon sense obligate me to denounce.
You tell me, “You will already be going to heaven. It is the non - Christian whom I am talking to.” I do not care one whit about my Salvation or what becomes of me after I die. It is either assured or not. I, too, am concerned with the non-Christians. Among other things, two of the finest, most moral, most righteous people I know are not only ex-Christians; their Wiccans. If God would really condemn these dear friends who have shown me much compassion, love, and comfort to an eternity of suffering while granting some of the crueler Christians I have met an eternity of bliss, then I will gladly take my seat amidst the sinners in hell. I’ve mentioned this to God a few times; I will accept the consequences of my actions and my beliefs.
On this message board, things like what you have posted here will only serve to drive people further from Christianity. They will give no one a desire to turn to Christ. Among other things, people around here don’t take well to threats such as the one you made. As I understand your beliefs, one who tempts people away from Christ and into evil is working for Satan. Whatever your intentions, and they may be good, your actions here do lead people from Satan. For the third time, I say to you, “Account for yourself!”
CJ
Well as much as I wanted to let your comments go unanswered I had to at least say this much: for your sake and people like you, I hope God agrees to YOUR terms on salvation.Offends? No. Makes me giggle like a schoolgirl? Oh my goodness yes.
Really Siege, hanging with heathens like Wiccans? For shame. You really ought to be more Christlike and spend your time with prostitutes and tax accountants. 
So do I. Still, I’ve yet to see one reason why I should trade what God has told me for what you have told me.
I must admit, you’ve set yourself up very prettily indeed. Non-Christians cannot argue with you because, not being Christians, they have not heard the Truth; Christians cannot argue with you because your message is not for them. Presumably God can argue with you, but I’m still not convinced you’re listening.
CJ
Listening? ephraim comes off as if he / she is on God’s advisory board. :rolleyes:
Obviously, ephraim’s position is that no one is saved enough, smart enough, or holy enough to argue with this claptrap. I’d rather reason with a mule.
Bosda,
Thank you for your post #163. It is very much appreciated.
There is no need for us to agree or to have the same views to respect eachother.
In my opinion respect is the first condition to come to knowledge.
Salaam. A
Which begs the question,
“who would win in a reasoning contest, ephraim or the mule?”
I don’t need “people of God”, whatever that means to you. Nevertheless: Thank you for offering assistence for whatever you think is needed for me.
No need for me at all. I rely on God only. You can hardly say God isn’t reliable enough for me.
But I am a bit curious what you mean with
Do you mean that you know everything what happened on this globe since creation or what do you mean with this sentence? Can you clarify? Thank you.
Salaam. A
I have already explained this. It is not sinking in though. When Satan is cast back to earth he will be worshipped. He will do miracles and be squarely on the Arab side where Israel is concerned. They will all love him. The Palestinians will finally get what they want and they will also worship Arafat. Worship in this context means revere, love or adore. Many already do this. When Israel finally loses Jerusalem, and God’s people are called home, I think you will believe me then. The Watchman of Ephraim Hosea 9:8
I have to give ephraim credit for persistence in the face of overwhelming derision and disdain. Can’t wait for your retraction!
Are you saying here that I worship Satan or what do you mean? God is God. There is only One God. Did you ever read Al Qur’an?
In my opinion the only miracle that can ever happen there is that both sides come to a peace agreement and that people on both sides live that peace.
Do you mean that this then shall be the work of Satan?
No, not “many” already do this. People closely involved in the butchery that goes on in this conflict might eventually stand by the politics of Arafat. You would however be surprized how many don’t.
You are incapable of making distinction between “Arafat” and his politics, and political organisations who - originally founded outside Palestine - worked and still work against him and against every attempt made to come to a solution.
I leave it to you to find out what I’m talking about, because doing research yourself is the best method to learn and get educated in a matter.
Further: You do nothing else then mixing up human inspired politics with religion. Standing by a political leader for whatever reasons is not “worship” or “revere” or “love” or “adore” that person himself. It is finding yourself -more or less or completely- in agreement with the person’s politics.
Or do you mean to say that all those US’ers who stand by their current president’s politics “worship” him?
You don’t seem to be able to keep religion and worship for God separate from agreement with and/ or support for what humans do or stand for.
I think first you need to do some explaining about what you mean exactly by:
- Israel
- God’s people
- Called home
And you didn’t answer my post so I shall repeat: I rely on God only. That is what Muslims do, it is what Islam teaches people to do.
Is your reply on this that you claim God isn’t reliable enough for me (and all the other Muslims on this globe who do exactly the same) ?
Salaam. A
The Bible also speaks of false prophets in Matthew, Mark, 2 Peter, and 1 John. (Here’s a short list from Bible Gateway). I strongly urge you to compare your words with 1 John 4. How do you reconcile your words which promote fear and hatred with "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. "
I’ve tried to be tactful; it’s failed. You, sir, are a blasphemer and a false prophet who corrupts the word of God for his own glory. It is my conviction as a Christian that you have been deluded by that which you claim to oppose and have set yourself above God.
For two thousand years men have said we live in the end times. Indeed, I remember desperate preparations just 5 short years ago as year 2000 approached, and I’ve read of similar preparations as the year 1000 approached. No doubt, there will be similar preparations as the year 3000 approaches. People insist on bending obscure verses into pretzels to justify their own righteousness and their own desire to see themselves as righteous in the face of the suffering of others while disregarding the direct words of Christ in Matthew 24: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Do you really mean to tell me you know more than Jesus?
Please, show yourself some mercy, and give up. Your message here will only fall upon rocks.
CJ
One more question occurred to me, not that I expect an answer. Ephraim, why are you so focussed on death, destruction, and devastation? Is it not the beginning of spring or autumn in your part of the world? Do you take pleasure in the notion of all the joys and wonders of this world being taken away in a terrible fashion? Even when I was unemployed and depressed to the point of being suicidal, I didn’t want to see the entire world destroyed. Is your life so wretched that you do?
Why the focus on death, destruction, and despair in a world so filled with joy and wonder?
CJ
Yes you worship Satan. Satan doesn’t care what you worship.
He is tolerant of all religions. There is no God called Allah. Jesus is God.
Satan’s purpose is to take you to hell with him and turn you away
from Jesus. More than anything else the mark of the beast is Islam.
Islam is the glue that binds all Muslims in their common desire to
destroy Israel.