that his destiny is to be left behind and become either one of the 144,000, or a martyr? He also has fallen away from church and has become very busy in his life. He believes that Jesus is His Savior but is not really walking in the Christian walk. I have tried to speak to him but he seems convinced that he's destined to tough it out in the tribulation. All I can do is pray. Is it perhaps he feels guilt, or not fully convinced that Jesus fully loves him, or that God is looking down on him. I have pondered with the reasons why he should believe what he does. It makes no sense to me. Any helpful opinions out there?
2007-01-01 12:53:59 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am getting some very good replies and things to think about.
The reason I am so concerned that he is not just a friend and brother in Christ, he is my son.
2007-01-01 13:12:15 · update #1
I , my friend am where you are with my kids, except only one of mine even believes. But, the one that does believe doesnt seem to be able to get over a troubled past, and just goes on living and surviving in a lifestyle that is not of God. SO, do my other kids. I dont know why, but I know there are different reasons with different ones, and I have heard this for most of my life. Why wont someone jsut follow Jesus, and do all they can to be raptured to Heaven with Jesus and miss the great tribulation??? So many reasons. Sometimes it is guilt, or a feelings of not being able to be forgiven about some things, ... so many reasons. I know we can say all we want and try to lead them on the right path, but we cannot make them do it the right way. Even God doesnt force anyone to do it His way. It has taken me years to realize that I cant fix any of it. I can only belive truth, live it, and say what I can when I can... and to keep praying and giving it all to God. I want my children to have a happy, and joyful momma when they turn back to me and hopefully to God. But, if I stay upset, depressed and trying to fix it all, I cant even have joy or wittness to them or to anyone. God showed me that it was something I can only live myself, and keep praying for them and leaving it to Him to deal with. Prayer is a powerful tool. But, we must love them, forgive them, and keep on praying. The devil loves to get ppl so busy and so discouraged, whatever way he can, to get their eyes off of Jesus. Once he does that, they fall easy prey to his evil ways. But, we must never give up on these kids. We must show them how we let God change us, and be a wittness to them, and just pray that one day they will kick in and get this for themsleves. And to remind them its not too late to turn back and go to God and receive forgiveness. YOu might just ask him straight out why he feels he must go thru the tribulation. Get him to talking and really hear him. I learned a lot this way, but was not ever able to change it. and he must know tht God loves him enough to forgive everything and that its not too late to change his mind and run back to God. Prayer is a powerful weapon. Use it, and name and claim the promises of God over your son, as I do my children. Faith still moves mountains today. Press on with Jesus.
2007-01-01 14:40:28 · answer #1 · answered by full gospel shirley 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only God knows what our destiny is. It sounds like he has a "why do today what I can put off until tomorrow" attitude.
I would suggest an in depth, inductive study on end time prophecy. The way I understand it the 144,000 will be of the tribes of Israel, so if your friend is a gentile he is wrong on that account.
He is not taking his faith seriously, it seems.
Many believe in Jesus, even the demons believe and shudder (from James). Those who truly have a relationship with Jesus Christ live their faith out now, not with the hopes that they make it to some future time when they will have a chance to "be a martyr".
Only God knows the number of our days and only God knows when the tribulation will take place.
Read all of Psalm 139 here is verse 16b "In your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them."
Matthew 24:36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone."
Keep praying for your friend.Speak the truth in love. Stand firm on the truth of scripture. Remind him that if he is too busy for church and especially for bible study then he is too busy.
I hope this helps.
2007-01-01 13:10:37 · answer #2 · answered by redeemed 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Truth is we are all going throught the Great Tribulation which is 3 1/2 years. Then the true christains will really stand out. If you want to know the truth about this topic, I suggest you listening to lesson 10 The Rapture by someone that has studied revelations for his entire life. The pre-tribulation rapture is the most common view held by Christians, although it is flawed. I think your friend needs to understand what a christian is. If he doesn't live for him, how in the world is he going to die for him.
The 144,000 is Jews by the way. They are saved right before the battle of Armageddon when they turn to Christ.
2007-01-01 13:08:28 · answer #3 · answered by ۞ JønaŦhan ۞ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God has not appointed the 144,000 yet to act, but He does know who they will be, but we don't, as they will become known as the tribulation takes place, If he believes he is to tough it out in the tribulation ask him what he expects to do if the tribulation doesn't happen until the next 100 years as all events have got to align up as Revelations suggests. Right now, being a Christian he can be safely called a Saint in Christ or a Christian Saint
Rick
http://dogwoodsquotes.blogspot.com
2007-01-01 13:07:24 · answer #4 · answered by Richard D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, we do know. When I criticize Christianity, I always make reference to evangelicals who are loonies. Most mainstream Christians do not care about atheism or religion. They live their lives like everyone else. The bible was at first taken literally and many sects of Christianity still take the story literally. Of course, many like Catholicism take the bible figuratively. But the point is that the bible was real and taken literally for the people of Canaan and the Hebrews at that time. It was real. So I've always wondered why the importance on a book written thousands of years ago which has been modified and translated into new versions through 9 centuries. That is the problem, why the obedience to a book? Nevertheless, I know that not all Christians hate atheists or think they're evil. Not all Christians are as fundamentalist as the evangelicals.
2016-03-29 03:48:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your friend has accepted Christ as Savior he will be caught up in the air with the Lord when He returns.Your friend will not receive all the blessings that he could have had but he will definitely be receiving a resurrected body at the Rapture.
You are doing what you should do-Praying. He has a right to choose and do as he wishes. Peace out.
2007-01-01 12:58:49 · answer #6 · answered by Lucy 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can only pray and show good example that you are a true Christian yourself. Sometimes people can preach very good sermons or teach beautifully about God, but their actions are contrary to their words. And actions speak louder than words, as you know. Number two, do not expect everybody you teach will accept the truth. The Bible says wide is the road that leads to destruction and most people will be in it, but narrow is the path that leads to eternal life and only a few will be found there and continue to the end.
2007-01-01 13:03:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I REALLY dont think he gets a real grasp on what is going to happen in those days but if he does and he is willing to go through it there is not a lot anyone can do for him we cant make him serve GOD by your way that you are explaing the situation is that he seems to think that it is cool to go thru the tribulation it is going to be HELL!!!!! man i am glad that i am going on the first load i wish that there was some words that would comfort you in your time of distress sorry the only words that come to mind are JESUS LOVES YOU!!!!!!!! KEEP PRAYING FOR HIM
2007-01-01 13:12:58 · answer #8 · answered by THE WAR WRENCH 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nana,
Perhaps HE is Not A Christian? One big Mistake is that belief about the 144K. They are All Jews, and All Males! And they are NOT "JW'S!"
Does HE READ HIS BIBLE EVERY DAY?
(2Corinthians 4:16) For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
Has HE believed on Jesus according to John 3 and John 7:38-39? IF he hasn't = then he is Not A Christian!
Thanks, RR
2007-01-01 13:10:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not to be rude or anything but this same type of thing happened to me, withthe roles switched.
i only have 3 rules for you...
1) DON'T PUSH HIM AWAY!!!! (Show the forgivness that we are told to show.)
2) Be a good friend (be able to talk to him with out switching the topic over to the situation)
3) Don't condem him.
I know it doesn't make sence, but many people believe that believing in something you can't see doesn't make sence. just try to be a good friend, that's the most important thing.
2007-01-01 13:00:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋