Elaine

Hi Cheryl…Forgive me but I dont think you are reading what Im writing, I thought it was understandable but it cant be…therefore I will try to be more specific this time in replying. I said regarding Abraham that faith was KEY.. I said the gentiles as a GROUP were not a covenanted people, I know individuals could come under the law covenant in faith and join the nation. You said that as a nation they were elected unconditionaly, but loving Him was always an individual thing… I said that… “unfortunatley many did not believe.. why? because as a covenanted people… as a nation….( NOT INDIVIDUALS…. individuals throughout history displayed great faith in the face of adversity, even from there own, Hebrews chap 11)…. they did not truly love the Father, the God of Israel. I totally agree with Malachi 3 v 16. I think that because Im not explaining myself the way you would, you are not getting what I am saying…it is my mistake. I said that… “I believe God has yet to make known to the future (prophetic) 144,000, God knows who these blood tribes are” Let me re-word that… I believe that “God has yet to make known to a future 144,000 blood Israelites… God knows who they are and as prophesied about in the book of Revelation…. the one whom they ( the jews) pierced.( which is why I wrote to you about Joseph, quoteing scriptures in Genesis) Zech chap 12 v 10… Rev chap 1 v 3, 7…Matt chap 24 v 30, Mark 13 v 26, Luke Luke 21 v 27. ( all well known verses) Rev chap 7 v 3-8 (Rev 9 v 4) I hope you can understand why I have cicted these scriptures. Revelation was written, around 95 A.D…. long after the death of Jesus and His faithful apostles…It is a revealing of future events that were not told to others. In John chap 21 v 21,22. Peter asks Jesus a question about what will happen to John, Jesus replies “if I will that he tarrys till i come, what is that to thee? follow me”… Could this be a cryptic way of saying that John would see the time of the end, not because he would not die, but because he would be given the Revelation by Jesus of the end times, a bit like when Jesus said “there are some standing here which will not taste death til they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom….then the transfiguration. meanwhile…. There was the First covenant that showed them (The Israelite nation) that they needed something better…as Paul said when the law came to life I died. The second covenant is by Grace, Jesus is the something better…because when He died I came to life. I live by faith and if I believe with all my heart, my works will show my faith to be alive. It is by Grace we are saved. If Grace had not come I would still be dead…Christ is that Grace. I am not a calvinist. I must say I dont really understand calvinists they sound quite confusing and conflict, in varying degrees, with each other. I dont listen/read (to) any teachers that you would know, but do read people like yourself.I do go to a church building and go to bible study groups,though at times I dont agree with my pastor…titheing for one. I dont really like the institution of church nor the structured approach, but love my brothers and sisters. I say what I feel I need to say then am silent, its enough that its out there. I have learned to be still and at peace I am in search of truth, to alter and change, to add and discard as new revelation comes along, I want my heart to be open to Gods voice… I will continue to ask questions give out thoughts and ask that the Holy Spirit guide me into that truth…I am on a path, Jesus said “”for everyone that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth,and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. I do not know all the answers to all the questions, I dont even know all the questions!… but Im enjoying the journey. A part of my journey is talking with you. In Christ…Elaine