Chess Online

Play online chess!

From	Message
valley_forge 29-Apr-23, 11:48	Ezekiel 33:1-20 ~ The Watchman The watchman, in these verses represents one type of a prophet revivalist. These watchmen do not actually deliver revival. A revivalist watchman alerts the people that revival is coming. Three Hebrew words, TASPHAH, NATSAR, and SHAMAR, are translated as watchman. Each, though slightly different in definition, describes basically the same role and purpose. According to the combinations of definition, a watchman performs several important pre-revival tasks. Watchmen of ancient times, symbolically, served as spies (2 Samuel 18:24-27). Positioned on the highest points of walls, towers, and hidden incognito amongst unsuspecting adversaries, the watchman is compared to one who leans forward to look toward the distant horizon, or future, discerning and observing any questionable activity. Their role is to protect the boundaries and inform the king, leaders and people of incoming danger and victory. The safety and joy of the people depended upon the advance vocal ot trumpet announcement of the watchman. Characteristically, a watchman required alertness, clear eyesight, a loud clear voice, and discernment of behavioral patterns and sounds (2 Samuel 18:27). Failure to warn the people could result in death. Watchmen obtained their posts by four means. Kings would position them. A consensus among the people could set them into place (Ezekiel 33:2). God could call them, as he did Ezekiel (Ezekiel 33:7). Finally, the travailing prayer of the prophets would set (AMAD) them (Isaiah 21:3-8. See Ezek 22:30-31). These pre-revivalists foresee the good and the bad (Isa 52:8). If like Ezekiel, they function in the prophet's role, their warning is valuable and may lead to repentance and change. The need for heeding these pre-revivalists is seldom recognized. The Revival Study Bible by Armour Publishing The Holy Bible New King James Version by Thomas Nelson Dedicated with love and affection to those multitudes of men and women of God who trusted, prayed, preached and practiced what God had given them for their generation, to give us who follow an inheritance of His marvelous acts that the Lord of all the Church over the last two thousand years might be given all the glory, worship, and honor due His name for such visitations of mercy and grace to the children of mankind. "Their works shall follow them." Revelation 4:13 THE GENERAL EDITORS
shirlmygirl 25-May-23, 14:03	This appears to me to be an excellent post. Does anyone have a different opinion? Shirley.
apatzer 25-May-23, 15:19	A warning God himself spoke to Ezekiel and anointed him personally to be a prophet in the time of exile in Babylonia. "God said to the prophet Ezekiel, “I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me.” There is a growing trend on the Internet of self appointmed "Watchmen" who scour the news and are the soul interpreter of a warning based on their political affiliation, world veiw and agenda. They are not arbiter of the good news! The gospel of truth. They are self appointmed world and country loving zealots. To whom it may concern Do this at your own risk, for if you lead God's people astray you will come to regret it. This is a wolf dressed up as a sheep. Consider the source.
apatzer 25-May-23, 15:21	Whomever loves the world the love of the father is not in him. And moreover Friendship with the world is enmity with God!
apatzer 25-May-23, 15:24	Correction, I meant to say The post is a wolf dressed up as a sheep. The real spirit behind the post is very different!
dmaestro 25-May-23, 15:36	Shirley I don’t think we would disagree there are watchmen. The question with Frank is who he would say they are in modern times. Some of his past choices for prophets, for example the Tribe Quantum group and prophet Jim Nesbitt ptwministries.com I find dubious. The author of the cited Revival Study Bible, Winkie Pratney, has his own distinct and controversial theology. There are many who insist on accepting dogma that simply is not a prerequisite for salvation. I think Paul himself warns of such dogmatism in 1 Corinthians 13:12: For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. I think focus on Jesus as he works on us in his own way and the mutual love and respect is far more important than asserting trivial dogma and who is a watchman as if we know it all. In the end we will know all but now we don’t. Even Jesus said in human form he didn’t knows the hour of return. Just my opinion. Otherwise a good post in principle.
bobspringett 25-May-23, 16:04	As always, the trap is in the interpretation. Remember first and foremost; no part of Scripture was written specifically for YOU. It was written to the people that the original writer had in mind. Therefore, before we can apply it to our own times we need to make sure such a transfer is warranted, and that the new application is consistent with the underlying principles of the original meaning. To suggest that the Scripture meant one thing when originally written, but has a different meaning today is a death trap. If you allow that principle any space, you are effectively saying that Scripture can mean whatever some snake-oil salesman wants it to mean. Any reliable modern application has to spring from what the original writer intended. Keeping that in mind, exactly what is the quote saying? That sometimes some people might foresee what is about to happen; but we won't know who is right or wrong until it happens. I find that to be not very helpful. In fact, I consider it dangerous, in that it allows the snake-oil salesman to put his foot in the door. I would much more strongly urge people to ignore these clamourings in both directions, and just live faithfully as you confront each day in turn. I think DM 15:36 has it right.
shirlmygirl 25-May-23, 16:55	Thank you all for your comments. I appreciate them. Shirley.
apatzer 26-May-23, 08:33	Shirley You are welcome. John 10:1 applies here. However there are far too many men who are and have entered the sheep pen without using the gate.
apatzer 28-May-23, 11:31	Jesus is the Gate to the sheep pen. Anyone who does not enter through the gate but comes in from some other way is a thief and a liar. By their fruits you will recognize them.
bobspringett 28-May-23, 15:15	Apatzer 11:31 <By their fruits you will recognize them.> Very true. Unfortunately, the first step is to recognise the fruit. Too many today don't recognise lies and arrogance for what they are. There's not enough discernment going around.
apatzer 28-May-23, 17:16	bobspringett I completely agree. The only thing we can do is ask God for wisdom and discernment and to be taught. To be the change we want to see in the world. I recently learned or well relearned a valuable lesson about keeping our thoughts captive. In a conversation I was having with my wife about my childhood. I almost embellished a small detail in a storyline. I told myself no that isn't the truth don't lie. And I started noticing some little things in my thought patterns. I had come to the conclusion that our brains go through (what I call) fantasy variations as a prediction tactic. I have much to learn and a long way to go. But I am willing. As the parable of the speck and the log. I haven't learned to remove my log before trying to help others with their speck. However in the case of God or the gospel being misused. I have a hard time. Not that God needs any defending. Well anyways I have a lot to learn.
shirlmygirl 29-May-23, 16:01	That is very courageous of you to say that, Robert. I admire your honesty. I have a question for you, Bob, and others. I have messaged GameKnot concerning Valley_forge. Gameknot has not responded to me. In the past, when I was captain of Christ our Redeemer team, GameKnot always responded to me. Is their failure to respond because I am old and no longer captain of our team, or did they overlook my inquiry to them? Shall I reinstate Valley_forge to our Bible Club, or not?. What do you think? Shirley.
apatzer 29-May-23, 17:34	Shirley If I had to guess why they didn't respond to you it is probably because they have a lot of other inquiries, or the communication wasn't received. To my knowledge, Valley forge is the player InHisService who lost all posting privileges GK effectively banned him from posting. So he has created another account so he can post. Both accounts are currently active and GK states that a person can have only one active account. Who you decide to allow in or kick out is completely up to you. However my advice is, when someone goes through the trouble to deceive others, GK and club owners by creating alternate accounts. Those people usually don't have much to offer nor are they interested in any type of amicable exchange. They just want access to a megaphone.
bobspringett 29-May-23, 17:57	Shirley 16:01 I don't know why GK does anything, or why it doesn't do anything. I have mixed feelings about IHS/Forge. He is usually on the lucid side, but at some times he seems almost to be verging on psychotic. I am genuinely concerned that his understanding of the faith is closely linked to his extreme political views, and I've mentioned Hitler's 'German Christians' to him as a state of mind to be avoided. Of course, any genuine faith will affect how we approach the rest of our lives, so some influence on our politics is inevitable. So long as the influence goes that way, rather than our politics influencing our faith. Thus far, I see no fatal flaw in Forge's behaviour in this Club. What he says in other clubs is not directly relevant; I am certainly 'political' in my other clubs! So I would accept him as a member, provided he understands that principle.

GameKnot: play chess online, monthly chess tournaments, Internet chess league, chess teams, chess clubs, online chess puzzles, free online chess games database and more.