Question is: Is Abraham's bosom or Sheol heaven?

okay then so when Jesus said to the crucified criminal today you will be with me in paradise

can't be Jesus in sheol too?

and Moses and Elijah still waiting for your answer

Abraham's bosom, Sheol, Hades or paradise are the same.
These are seen as holding places. I believe there are different places in Paradise for the righteous and unrighteous.
Indeed, Jesus went to Sheol for 3 days and 3 nights.

However, heaven is a different place.
When we die, we have no bodies yet.
However, we know we will inherit the incorruptible bodies when Jesus comes again.
Before that, our spirits will reside in paradise.
When we shall revive our incorruptible bodies, we will live forever in heaven to come.

As foe Moses and Elijah during the transfiguration, it was a vision.

This post has been edited by prophetjul: Mar 8 2023, 05:10 PM

some said jesus went to hell for three days

Hades is not hell.
Hell is Ghehenna.
Hades is where Jesus went.

How does God forgives?

Leviticus 17:11 (NIV) - For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.
Hebrews 9:22 (NIV) - In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

What's up fellow believers. I guess what I've hope for this thread seems to be coming into place. One is fellowship, second we discuss, not devour each other. Anyway it should be so for christians. We need kindness more so especially in the last days. Those who keep on devouring others, there is a wrong spirit attached. In all that has happened, I believe God is quite concern on how we treat one another. Hence the call to love. If we do not love, we have missed it completely. Doesn't matter how knowledgeable you are, according to the bible we are just clanging noises but empty inside.

I think it's important to know how God forgives.

God is love, merciful and gracious. It is in his nature to forgive. However God is also a God of justice. Justice from biblical pov, means there must be a righteous foundation in God's dealing to what is right or fair.

With regards to sin, God doesn't sweep every sin under the carpet because boys will be boys or girls will be girls. For Him to do that would make God unjust.

And we can know this in the verses of today's devotion.

When Adam and Eve sin against God, you'll note that upon their realization they were naked, God clothed them with garment of skin. This actually mean some animals have died, their blood was shed. I believe this was the very 1st atonement.

Without shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness. God doesn't just forgive.... just like that.

With that being said. In the Old Testament, the people of God was saved because of their faith in God and because of God's grace. Yet they could not enter in Heaven until Christ has finished His work on the cross.

How come? Because the animal sacrifices could not remove their sins.

This is why Hebrews 11:13-16 & 39 tells us they didn't receive what was promised. Only the blood of Christ could remove sin. So where were they when they died? We can only assume they were somewhere other than heaven. I understand there was the record of Lazarus and poor beggar going to Abraham's side and at the transfiguration mount, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus.

Yet we can consider this truth to handle the seemingly contradiction; God is outside of time.

Because God is outside of time, it would not be presumptuous to say heaven is also outside of time. Hence the possibility. Anyway it is not important.

What is important is the blood of Jesus Christ. It is everything for our victory and the demise of our spiritual enemy. Only the blood of Jesus is powerful to defeat every demon, whatever devils. They could not stand against it.

It is so important that you have God forgives you based on righteous foundation (Blood of Christ).

It is also very important that you forgive others (because of Blood of Christ) and be humble. Otherwise we give open door for principalities, powers of darkness to make inroads into our lives.

God Bless.

For the OT saints, the general theological speculation is that they were in limbus patrum (limbo of the Fathers) awaiting Christ to open Heaven for them.

Purgatory is another topic altogether.

From purgatory changed to limbo, but same thing.

Pope Benedict XVI asked to change the name, right?

Limbo is equivalent to soul sleep?

Not the same thing at all.

Limbo of the Fathers ceased to exist when Christ descended into Hell (not the Hell of the damned) after His crucifixion to lead the OT saints out.

Purgatory on the other hand is the place of expiatory purification for souls that died in the state of grace but still have imperfections before they can enter heaven to see God (the Beatific Vision)

BTW, the animal sacrifices of the OT are not sufficient for salvation. Only God Himself can offer the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, because sin is an infinite outrage towards the infinite God, and only God can repair such an outrage.

This post has been edited by yeeck: Mar 9 2023, 03:23 PM

I looked up what soul sleep means but it indicates Christian mortalism. For us, the soul is immortal. “Soul sleep” is a belief that after a person dies, his/her soul “sleeps” until the resurrection and final judgment.

Catholics do not believe in "soul sleep". At death, the Particular Judgement occurs (called Particular because it is for that particular soul) where one's soul is already judged. This is different from the General Judgement at the end of the world where everyone who have ever lived in the past or are still living will be resurrected body and soul combined and face judgement at the Second Coming. At the General Judgement, God's perfect justice and mercy will be seen by everyone and everyone will understand why God's judgement is just. At the end of time, those who are damned will be punished both body and soul while the just will similarly enjoy beatitude in both body and soul.

This post has been edited by yeeck: Mar 9 2023, 03:19 PM

Eternally Secured by God

John 10:28 - 30 (NIV) - I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

The word of God has been recorded in such a way, in many verses, many books, the emphasis has always been that whosoever believe in Jesus Christ shall have eternal life.

I'm very glad that God has made Salvation easy. You don't have to pay exorbitant amount of money, climb the highest mountain, sacrifice any life, hurt your own body painfully or do anything to get saved.

You just to have believe (agree and submit) what God offers and what He says.

That Jesus Christ, the Son of God sent by God the Father to be Son of Man as representative for all Man. He died for your sins but rose (resurrected) again to save you.

That you have sinned against God, your sins brought you eternal death. And you need Jesus Christ to save you from your sins. Receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Believe that Christ has removed your sins as far is the east is from the west. Believe that His royal blood has cleansed you from your sins, removed completely, perfectly!

With regards to your sinful carnal nature, that you have absolutely no strength to overcome it, you need to receive his Grace for power to repent and obey. Don't try to exert your own effort/natural strength to overcome it.

Rely on God completely. Rely by prayer and living by God's Holy Spirit. God will transform you without you even knowing it. This is how God works.

Your status has been wiped clean, You have been given the righteousness of God by your faith, therefore you are now Holy and acceptable to God. Your character still have flaws but don't worry, your status is still cleaned despite of that, remember this truth. You can come to God everyday, He promise, will never reject you!

Repentance will happen everyday with God, so don't worry. Just cooperate with the Holy Spirit, don't resist.

You have The Holy Spirit in you as seal (deposit guarantee), live everyday with Him in relationship, 2 ways communication not 1. Pray everyday, commune everyday. Read the Bible everyday if possible with you.

Despite of all of these above. Understand one more thing.

Your Salvation is secured by God Himself. Read John 10:28-30 the main verse of today's devotion.

Don't allow anyone to talk you out of this. God the Father is greater than all and He will not allow anyone to snatch you out of his hands. Neither will Christ allow it!

I am so glad God not only offers Salvation to his people but God also secures it and God wants you to know with strong certainty you are saved!

God Bless.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Mar 12 2023, 12:12 PM

let us all christian become humble

not one for seeking men's honor bcoz u feeling u have superior knowldege or wisdom

salvation doesn't come by way of knowledge or wisdom

but by faith

for God says in Isaiah 66:2

"But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit
and trembles at my word"

Much More

Romans 5:17 (NIV) - For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

Blessed day to you all.

Throughout the world, the devil has been opposing God's children for the longest time. If he could not stop christians from being saved, he will try to push christians into a corner and make them ineffective by living unvictorious life.

What do I mean?

A Christian who is a threat to devil's kingdom will damage his kingdom. So to counter this, the devil has to defang such powerless so as not to be a threat.

There is this erroneous idea, our only concern is eternal life and nothing else. You may protest, but isn't eternal life everything and the ultimate gift? It is for sure but as Christians we have missed on the "much more" aspect of Salvation.

We were never called to stop at eternal life. No. Jesus says those who believe in Him will do greater works than He did. Jesus did not only came to preach Salvation to the people around him. No, he cleanse lepers, open up deaf ears, heal the blind, unbound people who were bound by the devil, cast our demons, fed the multitude, etc.

You may protest that these are miraculous works. True but also consider the fact that Jesus commissioned all of us to go into the world to share the good news. In your sharing of good news, will you not face oppositions? Meet people bound by the devil? Opposed by devil bounded people? If you do not represent God to dispense God's power to set people free, how are they going to be free? There are so many things involved in the commision of God. It involves money, travelling, getting past country laws and regulations, authorities, etc. So many things and at times require prayer when you are opposed or limited.

There will be spiritual warfare. You will face opposition from powers of darkness and I mean literally.

With all that being said, I believe there is more than just Salvation. I believe, our inheritance will include being under God's protection, providence and care. And also we all have been gifted with power of the Holy Spirit and thus can pray for the sick to be healed, lay hands to cast out demons, etc.

If you're still stuck at trying to get to Salvation, I believe the devil got you limited.

Friends, Romans 5:17 tells us there is much more than just Salvation. The reigning of life here will include not just being victorious against sinful habits but against the work of the devil.

And in order for all these to work, you must be strongly established in Salvation. Which is why I endeavour painstakingly to share devotions to give you full assurance of your Salvation.

If you're not even sure if you are save, how are you going to move in the power of God? <==THIS.

I hope this short devotion gets you thinking.

God Bless.

Morning Bro,

you are completely right on this.

Good morning, so long since i was last in here? how's everyone and how is sophie? and you UW?

What is eternal life?

John 17:3 (NIV) - Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

I'll come straight to the point. Eternal life is knowing God and Jesus Christ. It doesn't get any simpler than that.

This knowing isn't head knowledge but real life relationship type of knowing. God knows you and you know God.

If you've heard the phrase Christianity isn't a religion but relationship with God, it is based on John 17:3.

All that I've post on "Eternally Secured by God" post#372 has to do with this knowing as well.

It's interesting to note, our Lord Jesus has left out the Holy Spirit from this equation? Do you know why?
Because The Holy Spirit never calls attention to Himself. He is here to reveal Christ and Christ reveal God the Father.

Anyway, back to relationship, do you know, you need set aside a time to spend time with God?

You need to get used to spending time with God and I can tell you, this takes effort. It's not easy at first but as you practise doing this frequently, it gets easier.

In fact after awhile, you will want to do this on daily basis for when you don't, you'll feel something missing in your life.

And I hope you come to that point where you feel something missing when you don't.

Friends, relationship with God involves everyday spending time with Him. And I can testify you will never regret, not once.

God promise he rewards those who seek him. And never discount this reward away, you need it for your daily life.

For me, I find that my day is much more in order and blessed whenever I spend time with God. On days that I didn't, at times the day can be chaotic if not seemingly very bad.

Point is, there is an obvious difference. Hope this devotion will bless you.

God Bless.

Sophie no more in here, I guess just you and me.

Yup, very long indeed.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Mar 14 2023, 10:18 AM

i don't like what u say

because wat u say is true indeed

but i struggle to do that

Start from small. Couple of minutes. Don't look down on even 1 or 2 minutes. <==Consider it as important.

Once you get used to the few minutes then slowly expand your time to 5 minutes, then 10 mins, later 15 mins you get the idea.

If you don't know what to pray or say, just read the Bible in those quiet time with God. When you have the urge to pray, then pray.

My advice is this.

Before you begin, pray ask for the Holy Spirit to pray with you and through you. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in communion with God the Father.

Then fire away, read the Bible while your mind is on God all the time. If feel like praying, let it out.



Note: Spending time with God should only involve you and God so find a place, can be in car, room, wherever possible.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Mar 14 2023, 10:45 AM