...Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken form the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Please note that Destiny Image’s publishing style capitalizes certain pronouns in Scripture that refer to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and may differ from some publishers’ styles. Take note that the name satan and related names are not capitalized. We choose not to acknowledge him, even to the point of violating grammatical rules. Cover photography by Andy Adderley, Creative Photography, Nassau, Bahamas Destiny Image® Publishers, Inc. P.O. Box 310 Shippensburg, PA 17257-0310 “Speaking to the Purposes of God for this Generation and for the Generations to Come. ” Bahamas Faith Ministry P.O. Box N9583 Nassau, Bahamas For Worldwide Distribution, Printed in the U.S.A. Hardcover Paperback ISBN 10: 0-7684-2373-2 ISBN 13: 978-0-7684-2373-0 ISBN 10: 0-7684-2398-8 ISBN 13: 978-0-7684-2398-3 This book and all other Destiny Image, Revival Press, MercyPlace, Fresh Bread, Destiny Image Fiction, and Treasure House books are available at Christian bookstores and distributors...
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...control and can accomplish whatever he pleases. “Our God in heaven; he does whatever pleases him” (Psalms 115:3). It is God's world, his creation and He alone is sovereign over it. More so, the existence of the universe or any creation is from God and nothing or no one else. Thus, the entire history, present and future of the world everything that happens in our world happens either because He directly causes it, or he consciously allows. Nothing enters into history or even exists outside history that doesn't come under God's complete control. In this paper I will define God’s sovereignty, providing evidence and examples to support this truth. I will demonstrate the sovereignty of God applies in the world today just as it did in the Old Testament “Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places (Psalms 135:6). Genesis One tells the story of creation and God the Creator. According to Youngblood (1998), the word “create” in the Old Testament only and always refers to God and never a human. The world and all it contains, is the Lord's. All of existence is only because of him. One who creates has a purpose in mind for his creation (pg.21). The Bible makes it abundantly clear that God created man and that He created him for His glory. “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”(Isaiah 43:7). Therefore, the ultimate purpose...
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...GOD’S PURPOSE REVEALED: RECONCILIATION & UNITY IN THE CHURCH Table of Contents INTRODUCTION 1 THE SUPREMACY OF THE HEAD:JESUS CHRIST 1 CHRIST IN HIS PEOPLE:THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 2 THE EKKLĒSÍA:THE BODY OF CHRIST 3 THE PURPOSE OF THE EKKLĒSÍA:UNITY & RECONCILIATION 4 CONCLUSION 8 BIBLIOGRAPHY 10 INTRODUCTION We begin with the fact that God: . . .[R]aised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come, and God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. In Ephesians 1:20-23, we see the exalted Christ, reigning in heaven, having put all things under His feet. Jesus Christ is the head of the church, which is His body. In the eyes of God, the church (ekklēsía) is so much more than traditionally thought. The church is destined for so much more than just to be saved from the wrath of God. God has purposed that the ekklēsía, his called-out body of believers, be His agents or representatives on the earth during this present age to reconcile all things to Himself. He therefore has filled his people with Himself, through the Holy Spirit. The purpose of this paper is to discuss God’s mystery revealed, unity and reconciliation. THE SUPREMACY...
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...Eric Brennan 11/16/14 American Lit. First draft In “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven” by Sherman Alexi. The theme of cultural identity is important to the story because it shows the truths about the Native Americans in America, and can be seen through celebration, appearances and Tradition/spirituality. In the story almost all throughout the book you can find things that fall under cultural identity and effects on many characters. “There is something beautiful about an Indian boy with hair so black it collects the sunlight. His braids grow hot to the touch and his skin chimes with reservation sweat. He is skinny and doesn’t know how to spit.” (Alexi 146). The cultural identity in “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven” is showing the beauties of a Native Americans. Instead of the stereotypical Native American being just a complete ugly, not sanitary person there actually beautiful and not just dirt and not worthy. Through the story cultural identity is shown and the consistency of a Indian being named after their father is bad, but is a good thing. It was the fourth of July and Victor and Thomas were riding bikes around and it was so dark you couldn’t see their faces. “Which Junior? Everybody on this Reservation is named Junior” pg 63 (Alexie 63). In many cultures people name their child after the name of their selves. They all don’t look alike just because of their long black hair. I don’t think it’s just Native Americans that have junior as there...
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...although not my personal belief it is the belief of 1.2 billion people around the world. a. On the question of Origin the Muslims have a monotheistic view as God/Allah is the sole creator of the universe and God/Allah is only one being. God is the only one to be worshipped and to do otherwise would totally be considered disrespect and blasphemy. (Weider & Gutierrez, 2011) b. On the question of Identity, the Muslim people and the religion of Islam believe that mankind was made by God/Allah as well as animals and that animals are important and worship Allah as well and that animals are not to be abused. (Weider & Gutierrez, 2011) I know of many Muslims that follow a vegetarian diet and also many that are carnivorous in their food choices. c. Muslims believe that Mankind’s purpose is to know that Allah is the ONE and only GOD, and to follow the writings and teachings of the Qur’an. They are to make a pilgrimage once in their lives to Mecca, to support the poor, to fast during the month of Ramadan, and to profess faith. (Weider & Gutierrez, 2011) d. Muslims believe that in order to have morality one must follow the writings of the Qur’an and the Hadith and to also follow the “The Five Pillars”, which consist of the following: to make a pilgrimage once in their lives to Mecca, to support the poor, to fast during the month of Ramadan, to profess faith, and daily prayer. (Weider & Gutierrez, 2011) e. Muslims believe in Heaven or Paradise...
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...in 1879 by Charles Taze Russell. (Carmen 2005) Its current practicing members total an estimated 6.95 million people. Its current headquarters is in Brooklyn New York, where the governing body of elders is located. Although constantly under scrutiny by various other religions, Jehovah’s Witnesses have continued to grow over the past 200 years. (Willis 2006) For the purpose of this paper, I spoke in depth to Mr. Michael Campbell, an Elder of the Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall located in Green Cove Springs, Florida. Mr. Campbell has been a Jehovah’s Witness for the past 35 years, and is a personal friend and neighbor to my family. There are approximately 75 members in the Green Cove Springs hall, being established in 2005. Being a friend, Mr. Campbell understands that my questioning of his religious practices is not to confirm or deny, interrogate or subrogate his beliefs or mine in any adversarial way. Actually he stated that it would give him a chance to “speak what he has been learning for the past 35 years from his family room recliner.” I have spent the past three Sunday evenings speaking to Mr. Campbell in regards to the beliefs and practices of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. I found it a most interesting chance to compare my Baptist beliefs to his. We both addressed issues that were specifically important to our beliefs and made simple comments about items we mildly “questioned” about the others. He never made me, or I him,...
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...I. In my reflection paper I chose to write about Angels and Demons. According to the scriptures that angels were created instead of eternally exiting. Colossians 1:16-17 explains: “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. The time in which they were created is not clearly specified but most likely they were created during the time when God was creating the heaven as stated in Gen 1:1. Angels where created to provide, protect, and deliver what so ever God would have them to do. Demons known as the fallen angels are the enemies of God. They are under the authority of Satan and the main goal is to disrupt God’s kingdom and creation. In this paper I will provide a Theological definition, Biblical foundation and practical application on Angels and Demons. II. Angel is derived from the Greek word angelos, which means 'messenger'. In the Hebrew language angel is originated from the word Malak which translates to messenger. According to the Old Testament the prophet Malachi took his name from the word Malak. Malachi was a messenger that prophesied about the coming messenger of the new covenant. Even though angels are usually referred to as heavenly messenger, God also used humans to deliver His messages such as the prophet Malachi. “Behold, I send my messenger before...
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...Regarding salvation, this doctrine of predestination argues that God predetermined the eternal destiny of those He wants to be saved by grace and has conversely destined the rest of humanity to eternal condemnation for their sins, and also for the inherited Adamic sin. Clearly, this doctrine of predestination transcends Christianity and is more or less a key doctrine of faith in virtually all of the world’s religions. Its history goes back to immemorial times – centuries and millennia before John Calvin even though the theology seems now to be most closely associated with Calvin and Calvinists. Elements of the Calvinist theology could be gleaned from the Old Testament bible tradition such as when Job in the midst of his afflictions declared to his cynical wife who was urging him to curse God and die: “shall one receive good from God and not evil.” As far as Job was concerned, all the evil afflictions, disasters and nightmares happening to him were directly predestined and unleashed by God. We certainly have better insights into supernatural realities today than the generation of...
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... April 07, 2013 Mindy B. Monkarsh Expository Essay 2 What the Bible Teaches A gift tells you something about the giver-that he or she values your friendship. No doubt you expressed gratitude for your friend’s gift. The Bible is a gift from God, one for which we can be truly grateful. This unique book reveals things that we could never find out otherwise. It tells us about the creation of the starry heavens, the earth, and the first man and woman. The Bible contains reliable principles to help us cope with life’s problems and anxieties. It explains how God will fulfill his purpose and bring about better conditions on the earth. God has a plan for everyone that has walked this earth and for those that are still living. Expository Essay 3...
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...thoroughness” “People were crazy with pain and secrets” “As time went on there was more and more work to do, because the definition of enemy become wider and wider” “I think it is a sign of being accustomed to such power that the truth does not matter because you cannot be contradicted” “Capitalism is above all, exploitation” “Everyone suspected everyone else” “When I got out of prison, I was basically no longer human” (Miriam) “Not one of the torturers at Hohenschönhausen has been brought to justice” “We’d have to shoot our own people. And we knew, just like under Hitler, that if we refused we’d be taken off and shot ourselves”. “Whether a certain time had been allowed to elapse before things could begin to be rewritten”. To dig it up, or leave it lie in the ground?” Frankenstein “Did I request thee maker, from my clay, to mould me man, did I solicit thee from darkness to promote me?” “A new species would bless me as its creator” “I ought to be thy Adam, but rather I am a fallen angel” “I shall satiate my ardent curiousity” “Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful” “I am an outcast in the world forever” “I am malicious because I am miserable” “If I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear” “”I know that for the sympathy of one living being I would make peace with all” “Secrets of heaven and hell” “The apple was already eaten” “One thought, one conception and one purpose” “It was the secrets of Heaven and Earth that I desired to learn” “Was man so powerful...
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...Worldview Essay This essay is for the purpose of formally stating my worldview as a Christian and demonstrating how I perceive reality when it pertains to certain issues. While this will not have changed much from my original worldview outline, it serves to expand on the issues and give intelligent analysis to my beliefs. As this semester draws to a close, and I re-evaluate my worldview outline, I a consistency between my beliefs and those presented in the course material. After analyzing the major questions, I have been able to find academic support for each belief that I hold. The first question we were asked was ‘Who is God, and what is he like?’ my initial answer was that God is the creator of heaven and earth, the supreme celestial being that oversees and influences everyday events. As to His characteristics, I believe that he is absolutely just while being full of grace. He is absolute power, under perfect control. He has intense emotions, but perfect reactions to them. That is who God is to me. The second question was about humans, what they were, and what happened when they died. A human is a being created in the image of God, with capabilities for reason, and an innate understanding of right and wrong. When a human dies, they go to one of two places. Those who have chosen to follow God will go to heaven. Those who don’t will go to hell. The third question was ‘what is the nature of the universe?’ When I hear that, I have to ask what they mean by nature. I have to...
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...“Oh, sir, don’t worry, I only remain under his command in order to get even with him. (.....) In serving under him, I actually only serve myself. Heaven is my judge, I don’t serve him out of love and duty, but only pretend to do so for my own purposes, because while my outward actions seem to show that the actions and feelings in my heart correspond with the way I behave, soon afterward I will reveal my true feelings so clearly that even the birds could peck at them: I am not what I am.” But what finally set his plan in motion was when Othello favored Cassio for a promotion to captain, and a rumor was going around that he was sleeping with...
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...of Christ specifically mentioned in Revelation 20:1-6. The significance of the Millennial Reign of Christ when it comes to human history. Since the beginning of time, in the Garden of Eden, man has been set on a course that will ultimately end in the Second Coming of Christ. There have been multiple signs and warnings that have come and gone throughout history, and each time, mankind has reaffirmed the belief that the end time was near. The Millennial Reign of Christ Massive confusion exists within Christian churches about the “Millennium,” a unique thousand-year period depicted in the book of Revelation. Some teach this period is entirely symbolic, and not worth fretting over. Others say we’re in the Millennium now, and that it began when Jesus Christ defeated Satan by His death, burial, and resurrection. Most prophecy teachers contend that this apocalyptic period is still future, that it will immediately follow the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and will be a time of universal peace on earth as Jesus Christ governs all nations from Jerusalem. But what is the real truth about the thousand years? To discover the answer, one must carefully examine the only authoritative source where it’s taught, the Bible, especially chapter 20 in the book of Revelation. (Wohlberg, 2007) Here’s Revelation 20 in its entirety: And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil,...
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...benevolence traits into Buddhism suffering Nirvana process, and eventually got the true meaning of Buddhism and became a Bodhisattva. Tripitaka, the core character of this west Journey, was the son of Chen O who received the first place at the final Court Examination and married the daughter of the minister. Civil Exam was an examination that adheres to Confucian values. In other words, Tripitaka was actually born this life in the family that had faith in Confucian conception. This was quite different from his previous life. In his previous existence, the true identity of Tripitaka was revealed in the last chapter as Tathagata’s second disciple, and the reason he was going on journey was explained by the Buddha: “Because you paid no heed to my...
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...Critical Thinking Assignment Critical Thinking Assignment Billy L Goe Apologetics 104-B35 Professor Obaina September 25, 2012 Critical Thinking Assignment 1 Part One: The Question of Origin The Quran states that "Allah created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, in six days" (7:54). While on the surface this might seem similar to the account related in the Bible, there are some important distinctions. After completing the Creation, the Quran describes that Allah "settled Himself upon the Throne" (57:4) to oversee His work. A distinct point is made to counter the Biblical idea of a day of rest: "We created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in six days, nor did any sense of weariness touch Us" (50:38). Allah is never "done" with His work, because the process of creation is ongoing. Each new child who is born, every seed that sprouts into a sapling, every new species that appears on earth, is part of the ongoing process of Allah's creation. "He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six days then established Himself on the Throne. He knows what enters within the heart of the earth, and what comes forth out of it, what comes down from heaven, and what mounts up to it. And He is with you wherever you may be. Allah sees well all that you do" (57:4). Retrieved September 20, 2012 from http://islam.about.com/od/creation/a/creation.htm The Question of Identity The Quran describes how Allah created Adam: “We created man...
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