Dr. Charles Stanley

[Lazerus]

None of the verses cited have anything to do with sinners inviting Jesus into their hearts. In order to see God a pure heart is necessary, but one does not get a pure heart by giving an invitation to his Creator. One must repent and die to self by humbly responding to his Creator's invitation. What is needed is a new heart, not a cleaned up heart. Thank you, though, for considering the man-centered approach compared to the Christ-centered approach. In Scripture do we find men inviting Christ or Christ inviting men?

[ItalianScallion (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Lazerus

Hello Italian...don't stop at 1st Thess. 4 but continue to 2nd Thess. 2 where Paul mentions "our gathering together to Him (the Lord Jesus Christ)." Unless one inserts a preconceived notion, this is clearly a reference to the so-called rapture and the entire passage tells us something about its timing.

Hello Lazerus, what I said is that the Bible doesn't say at what point it will happen. Some folks say that we will be raptured before the tribulation, some say during and some say at the end of it. I like to think it will be before the tribulation but I can't say that with any authority. When it does happen, we will most certainly be caught up with the Lord in the air whether we are alive or dead when he comes.

Originally Posted by Lazerus

...one does not get a pure heart by giving an invitation to his Creator. One must repent and die to self by humbly responding to his Creator's invitation. In Scripture do we find men inviting Christ or Christ inviting men?

You're splitting hairs Lazerus but I have to differ with you on this my friend. The Father calls us to Jesus (John 6 v 44), Jesus saves us when we ask Him to take over our lives and the Holy Spirit seals us until the day of redemption. Jesus said in Rev 3 v 20...I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me. Yes, "we do find men inviting Christ" into their lives AFTER He calls them.

[RadioPatrol]

Originally Posted by JPC sr

Yes, everybody gets saved.

That nonsense about burning people in Hell is just to scare people and it was never true or accurate.

well you like Islam so much why don't you strap on a bomb and get your 72 Virgins blowing up some Infidels assuring your place in Paradise

[2ndAmendment (Premo)]

Originally Posted by ItalianScallion

Maybe I should have said "some verses" instead of "many" but no matter, what is your take on vs 15,16 and 34? I think they have a reference to the temple destruction don't you? Why would Jesus speak of the "abomination that causes desolation" that Daniel 9, 11, 12 spoke of in reference to the temple destruction and mention only to those in Judea to flee and, finally, "this generation" won't pass away until this has happened?

No I don't. The abomination of desolation has not occurred yet. Jesus was saying verse 34 that the generation that sees the signs of the tribulation fulfilled will not pass away before He returns.

[JPC sr]

Originally Posted by RadioPatrol

well you like Islam so much why don't you strap on a bomb and get your 72 Virgins blowing up some Infidels assuring your place in Paradise

That nonsense about "72 virgins" does not come from the Quran.

I believe it is just a pitiful joke the Muslims give to the American infidels because only an infidel would see "72 virgins" as a prize.

That American infidels believe that nonsense is probably the funniest joke in all of Islam.

[ItalianScallion (Premo)]

Originally Posted by 2ndAmendment

No I don't. The abomination of desolation has not occurred yet. Jesus was saying verse 34 that the generation that sees the signs of the tribulation fulfilled will not pass away before He returns.

Personally, I think it was Antiochus Epiphanes IV who was instrumental in the temple destruction by desecrating it with pigs blood, placed a statue of himself in it and who name fits the number 666. I also think it could have a double meaning by referring to him and one at the end times also. Anyhow, no problem 2A, thanks for your input.