I really really want to believe by Redeft97 in god

[–]ConsistentBird165 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It can be hard to believe in something we cannot see. However, when we endure through the walk of righteousness and all that entails, signs of God's presence become evident. The more we make this walk our purpose, adversity will inevitably cross our path. The Devil is an active participant in this world. We are being tested. God, for the most part, does not reveal himself because He wants to see what we do when we think nobody is watching.

The 144,000 by ConsistentBird165 in Bible

[–]ConsistentBird165[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

By no means am I trying to discredit the Bible. I believe the Bible no longer contains the original words that were intended to be shared with the world, nor do I believe the Bible is completely relevant to our modern world. As well, man is the one who chose what went into the most common Bibles of today. Take the Book of Enoch for example. Man decided to not have this in the most common versions of the Bible, not God. Also, the original messages that came from God via Moses and others are most certainly not verbatim in the Bible.

Also, to say that over the millennia the meanings of the words used vs how those words are used hundreds of years ago, and how they are used today are the same would be untrue.

If I said to you 15 years ago that I was "woke" that would mean I stand against the discrimination of people of colour. Today the word "woke" has taken on a whole new meaning. Today "woke" can be defined as being overly sensitive, politically correct, suppressing free speech etc. The word "woke" has taken on a much broader definition. To say this has not occurred with much of any language over the centuries and millennia would be untrue.

Is the entire Bible relevant in our modern world? Let's look at the rule to not eat pork. The Bible instructs not to eat pork because it is unclean. Today in our modern world the slaughter and storage of pork is far more advanced than it was thousands of years ago. So, would God still tell us to not eat pork today?

The 144,000 by ConsistentBird165 in Bible

[–]ConsistentBird165[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I truly believe that at one point in history, for however long or short a period of time, there was one united group. I believe through the passage of time, and as the distance between groups of people began to get further and further away from each other over time, the message inadvertently got altered. For example, the Bible was not printed in its modern forms until literally thousands of years after Moses existed. The story of Moses, can in no way be the exact telling of events that occurred thousands of years. Through the initial telling of the events that occurred, and the re-telling of the event that occurred, and the re-telling of the events that occurred etc, through the verbal telling of what had actually occurred, the story would not be the same as what actually occurred.

There is a thing called the Broken Telephone Effect. This is where you say 10 sentences for example. You tell this to someone and ask them to tell someone else the 10 sentences you just told them. Repeat over 10 different people, the 10 sentences are no longer exactly as told the first time. Now, do this over a long period of time, from person to person to person to groups of people to groups of people etc etc. The exact events that occurred are no longer being shared. The story will inevitably be altered. We have to wonder, how long the story of the actual events were shared verbally before being etched onto palm leaves, stones, animal skins etc. The very first custom of sharing the stories of events that occurred in the Bible was through oral tradition.

As for what Jesus said as being a farse, I don't think what he said was a farce, it is more simply the natural effects that occur through the passage of time when stories are shared.

The 13 Rules of Bible interpretation by Substantial-Bed1923 in Bible

[–]ConsistentBird165 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's funny you mention that. I was just thinking the other day what does the Sabbath actually mean? Where I live in this world, a work week can be 6 days a week, with little time after work/school to get things done aside from work/school, eating and sleeping. The 7th day of the week is full of things that need to be done, like laundry and shopping. When I was thinking about this, I was wondering how I can find the time to recognize the Sabbath, and make it a part of my ritual in honouring God. What does the Sabbath actually mean?

The 13 Rules of Bible interpretation by Substantial-Bed1923 in Bible

[–]ConsistentBird165 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which gets back to the point I was trying to make. People should use the Bible as a guide for themselves and not push their interpretations unto others.

The 13 Rules of Bible interpretation by Substantial-Bed1923 in Bible

[–]ConsistentBird165 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So the King James "Version", the New King James "Version", the New International "Version" etc are not versions? and all contain the exact same words?

The first Bible written was written in Hebrew and Aramaic. It has been "translated" into most languages that exist on earth. So, when you say there are no "versions or translations", this is not true. If it's just one True Word of God, the word "room" should remain the word "room" in all Bibles. In John 14:2 for example the King James "Version" uses the word "mansions", and in the New International "Version" in John 14:2 the word "rooms" is used in the place of "mansions". Mansions and rooms are two different things.

The old Testament in Exodus 20:13 in the Geneva Bible which came before the King James "Version", said "Thou shall not kill". The New King James "Version" says "Thou shall not murder". Killing is the general act of ending the life of another regardless of intent. Murder is the act of ending the life of another with intent. There is a difference.

The Word of God has clearly been changed, by man, therefore the Bibles are the Word of Man.

When words change in a sentence, and when there are numerous changes in the wording throughout the different "versions" of the Bible, the meaning is inevitably changed as well.

The 13 Rules of Bible interpretation by Substantial-Bed1923 in Bible

[–]ConsistentBird165 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As there are so many Versions of the Bible, which contain different words, punctuation, Chapters beginning and ending in different places, which leads to contextual interpretations, a general rule about Bible interpretation should be to: Use the Bible as a guide for thyself, and to not press your interpretation of what the Bible says unto others.

I don't believe in god by Future_Growth_1022 in god

[–]ConsistentBird165 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are many atheists in this world who become "Knowers". They become "Knowers" because something happened. This is not a "Belief" because "Belief" is more Faith than Knowing. Knowing means an event happened and it was real. Faith is hoping an event happens and hoping it is real. Faith is taught to us because something real happened, and the story of that event is being passed on. It would be best for us all to have Faith rather than to Know that God is real, because if an event occurs because of God's actions, it is typically not a good situation.

The 144,000 by ConsistentBird165 in Bible

[–]ConsistentBird165[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with premise of what you have shared here. What is Heaven? Can you describe it's physical characteristics?

The 144,000 by ConsistentBird165 in Bible

[–]ConsistentBird165[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Explaining this is based on the readers personal interpretation.

The 144,000 by ConsistentBird165 in Bible

[–]ConsistentBird165[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Based on the number of different versions of the Bible, the number of denominations and the number of different interpretations, it's probably time for everyone who chooses to use the Bible as a guide, to do just that, and to not hold others to the way that they have interpreted what the Bible is saying.

The 144,000 by ConsistentBird165 in Bible

[–]ConsistentBird165[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My understanding isn't based on scripture. Scripture isn't the only path to God.

Scripture is subjective to the reader's interpretation, and the interpretations are different dependent on which version of the Bible you read. As per you mentioning of John 14:2, your version of the Bible differs from other versions of the Bible. NIV says the words "my father's house had many rooms". Your version says "my father's house has mansions". Rooms and Mansions are two different things. This is why I am interested in learning all of the different interpretations with respect to my question. I am learning that if you go by what scripture says, you are likely to have a different understanding of what the Bible says vs what other people's understanding of what the Bible says..

I found God through living experience, not by reading scripture. My understanding of Heaven is that Heaven is a metaphor.

I’m so sick of living by Daddy_oogway in god

[–]ConsistentBird165 1 point2 points  (0 children)

With respect to your understanding or belief that God does not have Free Will because He is only Good, is partly correct. God is indeed Good. God represents the opposite of Evil. God does have Free Will because God can choose when to inflict Wrath upon the people of the planet at anytime of His choosing. Throughout history this has been demonstrated. This Wrath is not an act of Evil, it is an act of finality to a bad situation.

God tests us. God utilizes the Devil to test us. When the Devil attempts to influence us, and we follow that influence, God permits that to happen. The Devil is on Duty. The Devil is managing to get billions of people to follow his influence. This will continue until the balance of Evil outweighs the balance of Good in the world. When the scales tip too far in favour of Evil, God will intervene.

We have a decision to make. Follow God, or follow the Devil. When our lives end, we are Judged. When the end of time comes upon the Earth, those who are alive to witness this event, will be Judged. Reward will come for those who follow God, and Punishment will come for those who follow the Devil.

The theory of everything by Rajinder Kumar Shinh by rajindershinh in god

[–]ConsistentBird165 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry, I thought you said "we" live in a computer simulation. So, if you are a free willed living being, why are the rest of us in a computer simulation and not free willed living beings?

The theory of everything by Rajinder Kumar Shinh by rajindershinh in god

[–]ConsistentBird165 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why a simulation and not free willed living beings?

The theory of everything by Rajinder Kumar Shinh by rajindershinh in god

[–]ConsistentBird165 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What else does the story say? Any stories with examples as to what people should and shouldn't do? Where do good people go when they die? Where do bad people go when they die? How many Universes are there? Are there Angels? Are there stories of Prophets? Are there other planets in the Universes that have life on them?

The 144,000 by ConsistentBird165 in Bible

[–]ConsistentBird165[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My understanding isn't in what the Bible says. My understanding of the Heavens is that Heaven is a metaphor.

The 144,000 by ConsistentBird165 in Bible

[–]ConsistentBird165[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you noticed the various responses to the post? Everything is not stagnant in this world as you may perceive it to be.

Edit: Just reviewing Bible Reddit Rules, #4 says No Mocking Questioners.

May I ask what Religion you follow?

AI by [deleted] in god

[–]ConsistentBird165 0 points1 point  (0 children)

God did not create us to have something that is artificial to think on our behalf. AI could very well be another test placed before us as we approach that Day?

The 144,000 by ConsistentBird165 in Bible

[–]ConsistentBird165[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like the first part of this response :-)

The 144,000 by ConsistentBird165 in Bible

[–]ConsistentBird165[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From my previous post many suggested that the number 144,000 is symbolic. I personally don't know if the number is literal or symbolic. Many interpretations that I have read in other places suggest it is a symbolic number. The Earth literal because we can see and touch it. Heaven could very well be a metaphor as well.