By now, most of my regular readers would have guessed my favourite Bible line for posting in public view:
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. - John 8:32
Why? Because truth is precious. And the ultimate truth and answer to all things is the Bible. These writings are of divine inspiration meaning that it is as effective as "and thus saith the LORD".
Even when the resurrected and glorified Jesus came and talked amongst men He quoted Bible scriptures to explain how its ancient prophecies had been fulfilled.
I have come to a decision in the light of recent events. From now on I will consider City Harvesters like Catholics.
These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. - Jude 1:16
This is the Epistle of Jude warning against false teachers and he reminds us of the apostles' warnings that 'there should be mockers in the last time, who walk after their own ungodly lusts' (Jude 1:18)
Lust, by the way, actually means excess, including, but not limited to, just sex. Excessive eating. Excessive pride. Seeking the approval and admiration of men.
How many accounts already have we heard, of the way that people are persuaded to attend their services. Attending church is one of the outward signs of faith, but knowing Christ comes by understanding the Bible (warning - not special revelation like the Gnostics). That is what preaching the gospel means! It is each and every believer's duty! Its not about getting you to come to church like an activity club.
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. - John 4:1
What does your 'spirit' say when you 'feel' its presence?
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Sunday, March 27, 2005
reply
with regards to exposition.
I am sorry I need to clarify my previous post regarding after our physical death... I said the next waking moment is Judgement Day... now... some people have said that it is 'soul sleep' ......
So, do we go to heaven straight after our physical death and hang around heaven till Judgement Day, or do we sleep till Christ calls us into the heavens during the rapture and then hang around heaven until the Day, or is our next conscious moment only during Judgement Day?
Different parts of scripture seem to suggest differently. More research is needed but to me it honestly doesn't matter that much, for we are already promised eternal life and can rest on that and the assurance of the New Kingdom. Praise God that we have promise of the heavenly places and eternal communion with Him!
reply to esther: I'll respect your wishes and won't reply in your blog anymore, and you needn't reply to my post here either.
Scripture (bible) is the Word of God and is absolute truth and infallible, and it can never be wrong.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness - 2 Tim 3:16
To say that the Bible will mean different intepretations to different people, (one to me, another to you) is to say that the Bible is not absolute truth, in other words you say God is not the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and you make God a liar.
If you say you believe in Christ, but do not believe absolutely in all parts of the Bible (OT and NT), then you don't believe in the true Christ.
Nothing but scripture and the whole scripture. Not just the nice parts that you want to hear. You felt hunted down? I'm sorry you felt that but that means you must seek the scriptures relentlessly for the verses I challenge you with.
It is crucial that in the process of building each other up in Christ that we do not become angry at the person we are dealing with:
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath - Eph 4:26
I believe in Christ because I have been convicted that the Bible is the Word of God, which means its the truth.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. - John 8:32
As long as you are grounded in truth, you don't have to hide.
As to:
"balance in knowing the Word and knowing God for ourselves too"
Scripture has already answered you:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. - John 1:1
I read your account of how you were trying to get people to attend service and you were worried of being pushy and so on that you were worried you would lose their friendship. Know that I risk losing your friendship, I risk being unpopular and called a 'snob', but I love Christ and am not ashamed of truth. May the Lord have mercy on all our souls.
Amen.
I am sorry I need to clarify my previous post regarding after our physical death... I said the next waking moment is Judgement Day... now... some people have said that it is 'soul sleep' ......
So, do we go to heaven straight after our physical death and hang around heaven till Judgement Day, or do we sleep till Christ calls us into the heavens during the rapture and then hang around heaven until the Day, or is our next conscious moment only during Judgement Day?
Different parts of scripture seem to suggest differently. More research is needed but to me it honestly doesn't matter that much, for we are already promised eternal life and can rest on that and the assurance of the New Kingdom. Praise God that we have promise of the heavenly places and eternal communion with Him!
reply to esther: I'll respect your wishes and won't reply in your blog anymore, and you needn't reply to my post here either.
Scripture (bible) is the Word of God and is absolute truth and infallible, and it can never be wrong.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness - 2 Tim 3:16
To say that the Bible will mean different intepretations to different people, (one to me, another to you) is to say that the Bible is not absolute truth, in other words you say God is not the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and you make God a liar.
If you say you believe in Christ, but do not believe absolutely in all parts of the Bible (OT and NT), then you don't believe in the true Christ.
Nothing but scripture and the whole scripture. Not just the nice parts that you want to hear. You felt hunted down? I'm sorry you felt that but that means you must seek the scriptures relentlessly for the verses I challenge you with.
It is crucial that in the process of building each other up in Christ that we do not become angry at the person we are dealing with:
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath - Eph 4:26
I believe in Christ because I have been convicted that the Bible is the Word of God, which means its the truth.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. - John 8:32
As long as you are grounded in truth, you don't have to hide.
As to:
"balance in knowing the Word and knowing God for ourselves too"
Scripture has already answered you:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. - John 1:1
I read your account of how you were trying to get people to attend service and you were worried of being pushy and so on that you were worried you would lose their friendship. Know that I risk losing your friendship, I risk being unpopular and called a 'snob', but I love Christ and am not ashamed of truth. May the Lord have mercy on all our souls.
Amen.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
reply to exposition
Very heartily indeed, I got a very interesting reply from valren that raised some questions. Allow me to elaborate and reply here. Read them with an open mind:
Qn:Isn't it ridiculous to say that God's creations are able to rebel against his own name? If he is so powerful and all why did he create something that will rebel against him back?
Ans: It does sound ridiculous from a human point of view to have to go through this whole circle of things, but then God wants to bring out a greater good from this evil rebellion. We have enough examples in history of how evil brought out the greater good in people as they overcame.
This is like the ultimate, final, pure, perfect goodness that will come out of the ultimate evil, a new perfectly good paradise with a perfectly good man.
Be thankful God didn't take the logical, ’reasonable’ route of just zapping all of us out of existence in the first place. We're being given a chance here.
Qn: And what about Satan? Since God created everything he must have created Satan?
Ans:He did. Remember Satan, or the devil, or Lucifer, is a fallen angel. Lucifer rebelled against God and tempted man into rebellion too. Hence that's how we are fallen too.
Qn: So isn't it his fault? If he is so powerful why can't he just remove Satan from the world?
Ans: You mean isn’t it God’s fault for creating Satan? God made no mistake because He has already removed Satan! And yes of course God is that powerful. God is not bounded in time as I mentioned previously, and according to His master plan and His revelations in the gospel, the rebellion is already defeated and the New Kingdom has already been established!
Qn: Even if there is a God which created the world and so on, is that reason worth it for you to worship him?
Ans: If you admit that He created the universe including you, that He gave you life on this earth, and that He promises you an eternity in paradise, that you owe everything you have and are to Him, you’d want to worship Him. To put it in an example its like refusing to acknowledge your mother, but much, much more worse, for since He is the creator and very essence of the universe, His power is infinite beyond human knowledge.
Qn:You cannot say that he is intrinsically good being can you?
Ans: You’re judging Him by your standards, and think He falls short of your gauge because He supposedly created bad things… But as I answered earlier these were for the greater good. He’s not good by our standards and moral laws and whatever ethics we can think of, He’s greater than good, for He is perfect.
Tomorrow is Good Friday, when we remember the death and crucifixtion of Christ after which He was resurrected on Easter Sunday having defeated death and established the New Kingdom to which, by grace, the faithful can look forward to.
Amen!
Qn:Isn't it ridiculous to say that God's creations are able to rebel against his own name? If he is so powerful and all why did he create something that will rebel against him back?
Ans: It does sound ridiculous from a human point of view to have to go through this whole circle of things, but then God wants to bring out a greater good from this evil rebellion. We have enough examples in history of how evil brought out the greater good in people as they overcame.
This is like the ultimate, final, pure, perfect goodness that will come out of the ultimate evil, a new perfectly good paradise with a perfectly good man.
Be thankful God didn't take the logical, ’reasonable’ route of just zapping all of us out of existence in the first place. We're being given a chance here.
Qn: And what about Satan? Since God created everything he must have created Satan?
Ans:He did. Remember Satan, or the devil, or Lucifer, is a fallen angel. Lucifer rebelled against God and tempted man into rebellion too. Hence that's how we are fallen too.
Qn: So isn't it his fault? If he is so powerful why can't he just remove Satan from the world?
Ans: You mean isn’t it God’s fault for creating Satan? God made no mistake because He has already removed Satan! And yes of course God is that powerful. God is not bounded in time as I mentioned previously, and according to His master plan and His revelations in the gospel, the rebellion is already defeated and the New Kingdom has already been established!
Qn: Even if there is a God which created the world and so on, is that reason worth it for you to worship him?
Ans: If you admit that He created the universe including you, that He gave you life on this earth, and that He promises you an eternity in paradise, that you owe everything you have and are to Him, you’d want to worship Him. To put it in an example its like refusing to acknowledge your mother, but much, much more worse, for since He is the creator and very essence of the universe, His power is infinite beyond human knowledge.
Qn:You cannot say that he is intrinsically good being can you?
Ans: You’re judging Him by your standards, and think He falls short of your gauge because He supposedly created bad things… But as I answered earlier these were for the greater good. He’s not good by our standards and moral laws and whatever ethics we can think of, He’s greater than good, for He is perfect.
Tomorrow is Good Friday, when we remember the death and crucifixtion of Christ after which He was resurrected on Easter Sunday having defeated death and established the New Kingdom to which, by grace, the faithful can look forward to.
Amen!
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Exposition
Basics
The creation of the universe and everything in it by God. That God is not bounded by time and He 'sees' the beginning and the end all at the same 'time'. That it is the Will of God that animates this entire world and universe. The laws of physics and physical sciences are maintained by God.
After all, He is omnipresent and omnipotent.
So why do bad things happen and His creatures blaspheme against His own name? Because of the rebellion of Adam and Eve, the first sin against God, and fall of this paradise. All denial of Him is rebellion, and as fallen beings we are all in a blinded state, blinded by the god of this world who constantly tempts us away from God.
This is a temporal world. Because by God's wisdom it will end and be destroyed and there will be Judgement Day and after that, every soul will be either cast into the burning Hell or made anew in the New Jerusalem - the new paradise.
And that arrangement after Judgement Day, by the way, is for eternity.
Oh and yes, I forgot to mention, in this temporal world we'd die physically too. So after we die we'd be sort of 'asleep' (like how we normally go to sleep) and our next waking/conscious moment will be Judgement Day.
And yes, that applies to all of us as long as we're human.
So how will we be judged? I'll try to address that in my next posting.
It is not by reason, argument or logic that any soul is won to Christ. I plead, for your own sake, turn not away from these words in stubborness and dare to seek the ultimate, final truth of all matters, rather than living in denial moving from one vague notion of life to another. For as I will testify,
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. - John 8:32
Our heart is made for God alone,
For only He can satisfy:
But oh how much we yearn for things
That in the end are but a lie. - D. Dehaan
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
The creation of the universe and everything in it by God. That God is not bounded by time and He 'sees' the beginning and the end all at the same 'time'. That it is the Will of God that animates this entire world and universe. The laws of physics and physical sciences are maintained by God.
After all, He is omnipresent and omnipotent.
So why do bad things happen and His creatures blaspheme against His own name? Because of the rebellion of Adam and Eve, the first sin against God, and fall of this paradise. All denial of Him is rebellion, and as fallen beings we are all in a blinded state, blinded by the god of this world who constantly tempts us away from God.
This is a temporal world. Because by God's wisdom it will end and be destroyed and there will be Judgement Day and after that, every soul will be either cast into the burning Hell or made anew in the New Jerusalem - the new paradise.
And that arrangement after Judgement Day, by the way, is for eternity.
Oh and yes, I forgot to mention, in this temporal world we'd die physically too. So after we die we'd be sort of 'asleep' (like how we normally go to sleep) and our next waking/conscious moment will be Judgement Day.
And yes, that applies to all of us as long as we're human.
So how will we be judged? I'll try to address that in my next posting.
It is not by reason, argument or logic that any soul is won to Christ. I plead, for your own sake, turn not away from these words in stubborness and dare to seek the ultimate, final truth of all matters, rather than living in denial moving from one vague notion of life to another. For as I will testify,
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. - John 8:32
Our heart is made for God alone,
For only He can satisfy:
But oh how much we yearn for things
That in the end are but a lie. - D. Dehaan
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Monday, March 21, 2005
i watched the flowers fall
I was standing outside the SCI building just now. It was dusk and the sky was getting dark. Did you know that some of the trees in NTU have recently been in bloom? Its so beautiful, just like the cherry blossoms, but even nicer because the leaves are still there. The flowers come in primarily white, and pink.
The whole tree is like entirely engulfed in flowers, and it looks as the though the tree itself is like, alight. The contrast effect with the white flowers is especially powerful. And I stood there, watching. Isn't it a beautiful miracle, that God created all the earth, and everything in it? And not only that, but that He gave it to us to subdue and look after on His behalf! Just looking at the blossoms reminds me of this. I stood and marvelled. And time, that terrible construct that all fallen beings live by, stood still.
Life is indeed the Will of God. For all science is it has never been able to create life. Manipulated it it has, but not created it. Animated robots we have, and no matter how similar or intelligent they may ever seem to be, it is a philosophical imperative that they could never become alive the way humans and plants and animals are alive.
Life is God's gift, and its here all for us to see! Why must people still cling on to that 1 in a thousand billionth possibility of an accidental chemical reaction that happened out of sheer coincidence? You'd rather believe in that ridiculously tiny possibility that it was all just a matter of chance, than face the truth that is presented before you.
I leave you to your thoughts.
I watched as some of the flowers continued to fall intermittently, and the grass below the trees were littered with the beautiful flowers, like a carpet of white.
Surely, a glimpse of the paradise that is promised to us the undeserving.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
The whole tree is like entirely engulfed in flowers, and it looks as the though the tree itself is like, alight. The contrast effect with the white flowers is especially powerful. And I stood there, watching. Isn't it a beautiful miracle, that God created all the earth, and everything in it? And not only that, but that He gave it to us to subdue and look after on His behalf! Just looking at the blossoms reminds me of this. I stood and marvelled. And time, that terrible construct that all fallen beings live by, stood still.
Life is indeed the Will of God. For all science is it has never been able to create life. Manipulated it it has, but not created it. Animated robots we have, and no matter how similar or intelligent they may ever seem to be, it is a philosophical imperative that they could never become alive the way humans and plants and animals are alive.
Life is God's gift, and its here all for us to see! Why must people still cling on to that 1 in a thousand billionth possibility of an accidental chemical reaction that happened out of sheer coincidence? You'd rather believe in that ridiculously tiny possibility that it was all just a matter of chance, than face the truth that is presented before you.
I leave you to your thoughts.
I watched as some of the flowers continued to fall intermittently, and the grass below the trees were littered with the beautiful flowers, like a carpet of white.
Surely, a glimpse of the paradise that is promised to us the undeserving.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Nobody said it would be easy
I had feared to take on the burden, but somehow I had been guided headlong into it.
Nobody said it would be easy. I already knew in my heart just how horrible I am. The fallen nature. The battle rages. And rages.
"...but with God all things are possible." - Matthew 19:26
"...Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." - Zech 4:6
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" - 2 Cor 10:5
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." - Rom 12:2
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Nobody said it would be easy. I already knew in my heart just how horrible I am. The fallen nature. The battle rages. And rages.
"...but with God all things are possible." - Matthew 19:26
"...Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." - Zech 4:6
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" - 2 Cor 10:5
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." - Rom 12:2
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
essay crisis
wat am I doing blogging when I still haven't finished my way overdue essay? Okay there's no deadline but that doesn't mean I ought to sit on it. I think I'd have to utterly rewrite it. Probably do what I discussed with JR. Super brief introduction and then just LEAVE THE MOVIE and get into the sociological stuff already. THERE. Okay. Will do that BY TONIGHT. It's good that I have that nice coffee bean voucher courtesy of Sam & KL.
Was looking forward to going home for dinner tonight but apparently I've to go down IMM to get some stuff for the 202 filming. I don't believe it we're doing animation. I still don't believe it. I'm alright with trying new stuff but... on such a tight schedule? GM is like, super excited and adamant on doing it. Anyhow, they've decided so we all just have to do it. If we can manage to pull it off it'll be great I agree.
*Oh no and I'm already behind in all my nonsensical readings and such* One week behind in 211, 202 and 229 I stopped long time ago. I'm only on track for 216.
I think I need to stay away from my bed. Or maybe its my home. How can I get the discipline to just do finish the stuff I have to do...? Is it fair that I only do it when I feel like it? I've done work that I've not been proud to call my own, because primarily I did it when I didn't feel like it.
WOW. What a lazy person. Irresponsible I'd say. What's wrong with you? What's your problem? You're childish. Grow up. And all sorts of other names I suppose.
I'm probably dwelling too much on this whole thing by now.
Even if for no other reason, there is always that one underlying final reason for everything we go through. It may not be efficient in human terms, but who else can we trust on matters of the soul?
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; - Col 3:23
Amen.
Was looking forward to going home for dinner tonight but apparently I've to go down IMM to get some stuff for the 202 filming. I don't believe it we're doing animation. I still don't believe it. I'm alright with trying new stuff but... on such a tight schedule? GM is like, super excited and adamant on doing it. Anyhow, they've decided so we all just have to do it. If we can manage to pull it off it'll be great I agree.
*Oh no and I'm already behind in all my nonsensical readings and such* One week behind in 211, 202 and 229 I stopped long time ago. I'm only on track for 216.
I think I need to stay away from my bed. Or maybe its my home. How can I get the discipline to just do finish the stuff I have to do...? Is it fair that I only do it when I feel like it? I've done work that I've not been proud to call my own, because primarily I did it when I didn't feel like it.
WOW. What a lazy person. Irresponsible I'd say. What's wrong with you? What's your problem? You're childish. Grow up. And all sorts of other names I suppose.
I'm probably dwelling too much on this whole thing by now.
Even if for no other reason, there is always that one underlying final reason for everything we go through. It may not be efficient in human terms, but who else can we trust on matters of the soul?
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; - Col 3:23
Amen.
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