tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318245630918980101.post8358688900439110804..comments2023-11-08T22:57:40.237-05:00Comments on OUT OF THE BOX: Some Thoughts to Clarify the Previous Two PostsBilly Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13739420756402743057noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318245630918980101.post-3414930108201130512011-06-27T07:39:43.752-04:002011-06-27T07:39:43.752-04:00Well said Billy. Again, I think you have captured ...Well said Billy. Again, I think you have captured the heart of the Lord.jenniecompton@gmail.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318245630918980101.post-36005421148243813502011-06-24T05:29:08.888-04:002011-06-24T05:29:08.888-04:00Lonnie, this is just a quick response to one of yo...Lonnie, this is just a quick response to one of your points. Jesus actually did warn the nation of Israel of judgments to come. See Luke 13: 34-35 and Luke 19:41-45 This judgment started in 70 AD when the Roman’s besieged Jerusalem and destroyed it. The Jews were dispersed from Jerualem around 135 AD.<br />Also in Rev 1-4 Jesus tells the churhes to "Repent or I will come and remove your candlestick."<br />This is a short response. I'll try to say more later.Billy Longhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13739420756402743057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318245630918980101.post-46313867296545731502011-06-23T15:13:09.361-04:002011-06-23T15:13:09.361-04:00Thanks for the clarification in this blog, Billy. ...Thanks for the clarification in this blog, Billy. I know the challenge of addressing a complex subject in a limited format...<br /> Let me toss just a few more thoughts into the hopper. As I read the New Testament, I find lots of references to “the day of the Lord” and “the day of judgment”. I don’t find lots of references to “judgment” falling on people or nations on a regular basis. I wonder if we can bring that stuff from the Old Testament into the New, or if there’s a new system that is in place now. He did talk about not imputing their sins to them...<br /> When I look at what Jesus preached, it was “Repent for the Kingdom is at hand!” Then He demonstrated what the Kingdom looked like by healing the sick, raising the dead, feeding the multitudes, calming storms, etc. He certainly could have been calling down judgment on the Roman empire as it was far more corrupt than our nation today. He could even have called for judgment on Israel, as they were certainly being led by corrupt people - but his focus was on “bringing heaven to earth” (as he taught us to pray - “your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!)<br /> I have sat under a lot of “If my people who are called by my name...” preaching, and frankly, I haven’t seen it produce anything but hopelessness and helplessness. “I’ve repented of everything I can think of! Is that enough? I’ve done identificational repentance for the nation repeatedly - is that enough?” They’re focused on avoiding judgment rather than on loving their neighbors into the Kingdom. On the other hand, when unbelievers see the power of God bring healing to their bodies, and they hear that God loves them and will forgive them if they will repent, I’ve seen some real change come to lives...<br /> So, for me, even though the message of judgment may be true, I haven’t found it to be a particularly Scriptural (in the light of the New Testament) or profitable message. Waddyathink?<br /><br />Lonnie:>)Lonnie Shieldshttp://pastor@newlifegrandrapids.orgnoreply@blogger.com