Revelation, marriage, and foreverness

[_Augustus]

Hello everyone, I'm new here and would like to share a few ideas of mine. It's my opinion that the Book of Revelation does not belong in the New Testament because it's a false book (about as true as a UFO abduction) and contradicts the Gospels. God is good, not evil. I saw on a Zoroastrian web site once that if one fears God, then one does not know God. God is good. God is love. That's idea number one.

Idea number two is that marriage is not a commandment, but a neutral choice. It's okay to marry and it's okay to stay single. It's in 1 Corinthians 7:8 that it's good to stay single. That's not to say it's not also good to marry, but both are perfectly okay. Thou shalt not commit adultery is a commandment, but thou shalt get married is not.

Idea number three is that we are awareness, not bodies or minds. We have a body and we have a mind, but it's not what we are. We are the awareness behind it all, awareness that is not born and never dies. If we are not born and never die, it opens up lots of possibilities. I believe there are multiple heavens and that reincarnation is a choice. Multiple heavens reflect the various levels of spiritual progression, progression that never ends.

What are your thoughts on any or all of these ideas? Do you believe the Book of Revelation belongs in the Bible along with the Sermon on the Mount which says to Judge Not and to Love Your Enemies? Do you believe everyone must get married? If so, why? What about Jesus and Paul and Buddha? Do you believe we are eternal and there are multiple heavens? Is reincarnation an option?

[Guest]

I believe the Book of Revelations is the climax of the Bible. God is love but God is perfect. God is the ultimate judge. God embraces but He is also selective. When God tells us not to judge, He is saying that we should not formulate an opinion based on our own values and preferences. We should not establish values base on our own likes and dislikes. We need to use the Bible as our guide. God's laws YES! Our values to judge others, NO! I do not believe that everyone should or needs to get married. Of course, that means that not everyone should have sex. I actually feel that many who have gotten involved in homosexual behavior ended up there because they wrongly imagined that one needs sex. Friendships are great and yet society today seems bent on pushing things further. I believe that there is one heaven where God resides. The sky is another, and the universe is another. That makes three... Reincarnation is not an option. We have but one chance at life in this world. Everyone is equally blessed in that regard. I believe we exist forever from the moment of conception onwards. Jesus was God in the flesh. He emptied himself to become as human as it's possible for God to become. God the Father continued to orchestrate the exact moment things would occur. The Holy Spirit indwells all saints to comfort and direct them in the matters of God. Buddaha was a nice man who wanted people to live a meaningful life. In that he was a teacher and nothing more. Buddaha offered no means of salvation.

[_Augustus]

I believe the Book of Revelations is the climax of the Bible. God is love but God is perfect. God is the ultimate judge. God embraces but He is also selective. When God tells us not to judge, He is saying that we should not formulate an opinion based on our own values and preferences. We should not establish values base on our own likes and dislikes. We need to use the Bible as our guide. God's laws YES! Our values to judge others, NO!

I like this web page: http://www.christian-community.org/libr ... eresy.html

Among other things, it says, "Would Jesus kill little children because their parents sinned?" and "Would Jesus vomit you and me out of the Kingdom of heaven for being only _luke warm?"

I believe God's love is unconditional. It doesn't mean we're all the same spiritually, but God loves all. The sun shines on all regardless of who they are or where they are. There was a lot of debate historically about whether to include the Book of Revelation in the official canon of Christian scripture. I would have voted against including it.

I do not believe that everyone should or needs to get married. Of course, that means that not everyone should have sex. I actually feel that many who have gotten involved in homosexual behavior ended up there because they wrongly imagined that one needs sex. Friendships are great and yet society today seems bent on pushing things further.

I agree with the commandment about not committing adultery. Some want to add marriage as a commandment, but I think Paul was clear, and Jesus Himself by example, that singleness is perfectly okay.

I believe that there is one heaven where God resides. The sky is another, and the universe is another. That makes three... Reincarnation is not an option. We have but one chance at life in this world. Everyone is equally blessed in that regard. I believe we exist forever from the moment of conception onwards. Jesus was God in the flesh. He emptied himself to become as human as it's possible for God to become. God the Father continued to orchestrate the exact moment things would occure. The Holy Spirit indwells all saints to comfort and direct them in the matters of God. Buddaha was a nice man who wanted people to live a meaningful life. In that he was a teacher and nothing more. Buddaha offered no means of salvation.

I believe God is Omnipresent, so God is in any and all heavens, worlds, everywhere. If there is only one heaven, then it is an extremely diverse place and would most definitely include Buddha.

[_LittleNipper]

I believe God is Omnipresent, so God is in any and all heavens, worlds, everywhere. If there is only one heaven, then it is an extremely diverse place and would most definitely include Buddha.

If Buddha believed that God would provide salvation for him because Buddah knew that his works would in no way save him, then I believe he is. If Buddah believed that he himself could merit heaven and that his goal was to become God, then no. Buddah died in his sins.

[_Augustus]

I believe God is Omnipresent, so God is in any and all heavens, worlds, everywhere. If there is only one heaven, then it is an extremely diverse place and would most definitely include Buddha.

If Buddha believed that God would provide salvation for him because Buddah knew that his works would in no way save him, then I believe he is. If Buddah believed that he himself could merit heaven and that his goal was to become God, then no. Buddah died in his sins.

The Buddha attained Enlightenment and therefore had heaven on earth. He found heaven. It couldn't be done without God's grace, God was definitely involved in Buddha's Enlightenment... it wasn't Gautama's ego at all. Gautama Buddha wasn't attached to his ego... he dissolved his ego and was therefore not attached to works. It was the grace of God that cleared away all the illusions of works and the ego.

[_LittleNipper]

If Buddha believed that God would provide salvation for him because Buddah knew that his works would in no way save him, then I believe he is. If Buddah believed that he himself could merit heaven and that his goal was to become God, then no. Buddah died in his sins.

The Buddha attained Enlightenment and therefore had heaven on earth. He found heaven. It couldn't be done without God's grace, God was definitely involved in Buddha's Enlightenment... it wasn't Gautama's ego at all. Gautama Buddha wasn't attached to his ego... he dissolved his ego and was therefore not attached to works. It was the grace of God that cleared away all the illusions of works and the ego.

But did Buddha have Christ as his personal savior? Enlightenment is nice; however, being enlightened and full of knowledge isn't a saving grace. It didn't make Adam and Eve happy...

[_subgenius]

Hello everyone, I'm new here and would like to share a few ideas of mine.

welcome

It's my opinion that the Book of Revelation does not belong in the New Testament because it's a false book (about as true as a UFO abduction) and contradicts the Gospels. God is good, not evil. I saw on a Zoroastrian web site once that if one fears God, then one does not know God. God is good. God is love. That's idea number one.

you are certainly entitled to your opinion, but the scriptures may find you in error.
Revelation has not yet been proven to be a false book by your mere claim here.

Idea number two is that marriage is not a commandment, but a neutral choice. It's okay to marry and it's okay to stay single. It's in 1 Corinthians 7:8 that it's good to stay single. That's not to say it's not also good to marry, but both are perfectly okay. Thou shalt not commit adultery is a commandment, but thou shalt get married is not.

that is not what that verse is speaking to, you are out of context...which is important with regards to that verse...for that circumstance is specific to the context of the time, and not in general terms. There is a reason that widows are coupled in with those who have not been married.
additionally verse 7:9 speaks to a further notion, specific to the audience as well.

Idea number three is that we are awareness, not bodies or minds. We have a body and we have a mind, but it's not what we are. We are the awareness behind it all, awareness that is not born and never dies. If we are not born and never die, it opens up lots of possibilities. I believe there are multiple heavens and that reincarnation is a choice. Multiple heavens reflect the various levels of spiritual progression, progression that never ends.

interesting...equally interesting is how you concluded such.

What are your thoughts on any or all of these ideas? Do you believe the Book of Revelation belongs in the Bible along with the Sermon on the Mount which says to Judge Not and to Love Your Enemies? Do you believe everyone must get married? If so, why? What about Jesus and Paul and Buddha? Do you believe we are eternal and there are multiple heavens? Is reincarnation an option?

1.Just because we are instructed to judge not does not mean that God and/or Christ will not...in fact, righteous judgment is encouraged by the Lord.

2. Marriage should be preferred but as are the affairs of comfort and such, Divine wisdom should settle such matters for each individual person...in other words, through seeking the counsel of God, one should determine such things....it is not for me to say who should get married nor when.

3.Jesus, Paul and Buddha walk in to bar......? what are you asking?

4. your last question is a little too ambiguous to answer effectively.

[_Augustus]

I was referring to Jesus, Paul, and Buddha being single. Buddha left his wife to seek enlightenment and though the New Testament doesn't specifically say Jesus was single or married, does He ever say people should marry? Paul was single, or maybe a widower.

[_just me]

Idea 1: "God is good. God is love. That's idea number one."

That is what drove me away from all Abrahamic religions and ultimately all elitist religions and philosophies.

Idea 2: Marriage doesn't matter. Singleness doesn't matter. Sex is beautiful and should be enjoyed by adults (fork responsibly!).

The Bible states that eunichs can attain eternal life.

Idea 3: Yeah. I fiddled around with that concept a bit. Ultimately the enlightenment movement is just as "we're so special" as so many religions.

I have decided that when I am "aware" it is part of my body/brain response. The body and spirit/awarenes are one.

Jesus and Paul and Buddha were men. They took male spiritual journeys. I am much more interested in the feminine spiritual journey right now. The one that has been shoved aside and silenced and vilified for so long.

[_Augustus]

hello just me! Enlightenment isn't about being special, it's about dissolving the ego. Jesus and Buddha weren't about maleness but about love and enlightenment, which is much different than machoness and exclusivity. God bless!