I'm
carrying this over from another topic on this forum in which Richard had made a post. The conversation quickly shifted, and I believe this response is more suited to this thread.
I made the offer because her questions appeared to be unanswered and Bible prophecy has been my hobby since I was 17.
That's irrelevant. There are many people who study Revelation and have zero understanding of it because understanding does not come from our own intellect, which is why there are those who will learn continually, but never understand the truth.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
-2Ti 3:1-7
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
-1Co 2:14Thus, we do not judge what someone says based on how many years they have had a hobby, but rather, we judge what someone says based on the merit of their words, if they are in correlation with New Testament doctrine.
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
-John 7:24Im not sure what you mean by "a strangely suspicious introduction post" or why its necessary for you to call my introduction "vague"
It was necessary to call your post 'vague' was because it was 'vague'. I'm not sure how you are used to communicating, but I typically say directly what I mean; I hope that will help clarify when reading any posts that I make in the future. I'll include a definition just in case anything was misunderstood:
vague (adj): not clearly or explicitly stated or expressed; not clear or distinctUnder the "Introduce Yourself" board, there is a sticky thread at the topic titled: "
All New Members (READ THIS FIRST!)," (it's in big, bold print right below the "New Topic" button) in which it explains the details of what should go into an introduction, and even provides links to examples on the forum of other members who have made very good introductions, so others know that we don't just accept they are "Christians" without some evidence first.
To your second point about your strangely suspicious introduction post, I'm not sure if you're reading what I'm saying. Let me know if you're not reading my posts (i.e. you may be just skimming them) so I don't have to keep repeating myself. However, I'll say it again:
There is nothing in your introduction post that testifies of repentance and remission of sins, and faith in Christ. Therefore, someone who comes onto this forum, claiming he is of Christ, and has no testimony of that, and also does not even consider that such a thing is important, is suspicious to say the very least.
but I dont see that as a good way to introduce yourself to a brother.
I don't see your introduction post as a good way to introduce yourself either. Saying, "
I read creationliberty's writing on the issue... I think we are on the same page on a lot of topics," does not mean you are brethren in Christ. I'm not ruling it out, so don't misunderstand, but I haven't seen any evidence yet.
The problem is that, though you see me as a "brother," I do not see you as one yet. Why? Because I, and everyone else here, do not know you. We do not yet know if you are actually of Christ, or if you're a false convert playing the part. When you joined, you thought to yourself, "
I will tell them I am a Christian by selecting 'Christian' from the menu options on my profile, and then they'll automatically accept me as a Christian without any need to verify it through conversation." Typically, when I see people doing that, that's usually (not always, but most of time) indicative of someone who does not understand Christ's doctrine on false converts, and it certainly shows someone who thinks first of himself, rather than thinking about others first. In fact, that's one of the reasons I just released this yesterday:
Why Millions of Believers on Jesus Are Going to HellThat doctrine will determine whether or not you are "
on the same page" with the rest of us here. You haven't yet shown us anything in your posts that reflects conversation of someone who has repentance (i.e. godly sorrow of wrongdoing) and faith in Christ, and until I see that, I will remain suspicious of you. (It should be noted that, typically, when no one is responding to someone's introduction post, as they did not respond to yours, it means they're quietly cautious and waiting to see what you will say and do.)
The introduction was a little short because I wanted to get it done and read what is on your forum.
That's a ridiculous excuse. How do I know it's ridiculous? Because anyone can publically read the forum without having an account registered. The only reason anyone would have cause to make an account is if they want fellowship and/or discussion, which brings us right back to my original point: I'm cautious of you.
To answer that one Im a fundamentalist and I believe in repentance, I wasnt out to be vague.
Steven Anderson claims the same generic thing, but he's not of Christ. In fact, I've met many people who have made that generic claim and are not of Christ. Don't misunderstand, I'm not saying you're like them in any way, but the point is that your conversation, as far as I have seen, have not reflected a repentant heart yet. That doesn't mean I may not see it later, and you're welcome to try again if you want, but until that time, I'm cautious.
It's also a red herring to say "
I wasn't out to be vague" because no one accused you of "trying" to be vague or "intending" to be vague; the fact is that you
WERE vague. I didn't once suspect that you were "
out to be vague," and that argument is simply distracting from the facts, while also providing a vague way of claiming I'm wrong.
Also of note, I made posts on several of your topics not just this question on Revelation.
I'm already aware of that, and that's also irrelevant. If your read carefully in the other thread, you'll notice that I said, "
ONE OF the first things," not "
THE first thing," which I wrote on purpose to indicate that it was not the only topic in which you have made a post. Thus, this is just another red herring for distraction.
You're picking some topics that have not been active in over a month (and there is a notification that comes up before you post notifying you that it has been over 30 days since anyone posted in it), which means the people you're responding to may not even remember the context of what was being discussed because, most of the time, we discuss new topics daily. You may not have realized that at first, and I hope that will also clarify that matter.
Just so you know, a few people just recently joined, and I'm suspicious of a few of them for the same reason. The only difference is that they aren't making a bunch of posts on various topics, so I thought I would address you on the matter because it looks like you really want to have fellowship with us, and that's what this place is for, so my suggestion (though I know you didn't ask for advice on the matter; I apologize for that because I typically don't like to give advice unless I'm asked for it) is to read the links above, one that was for the new members, and the other was the teaching I just released yesterday. Those will hopefully help clarify the matter so we can understand your beliefs better and have more intimate discussions on doctrine.
